Pizarro played college soccer for Lincoln Memorial University. His style of attacking football was adored by fans. The reason for this is growing up Nelson never played 11 aside soccer instead learning the game at his family's indoor and 5 aside facility in Miami Florida. He played with adults at a very young age and became a very technically gifted player with strength to match.
He regularly scored goals in big matches and could be utilized by the coaching staff in many positions including central defence and as a wide midfielder or full back. However, his most effective position is an attacking midfielder due to his technical ability, scoring from outside the box and effective runs into the box.
As a sophomore at Lincoln he won several awards including a Gulf South Conference Championship. In his upperclassman career he won more awards including All-American honors as he captained the team to not only another conference championship, this time the South Atlantic Conference, but two regional championships, a final four berth in 2006 and in his last game at the university the National Championship final against Franklin Pierce University in 2007.
Pizarro made history as the first soccer player at Lincoln Memorial University to be inducted into the LMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 for the Class of 2007. A decorated All-American during his collegiate career, Pizarro was a key leader in the program’s rise to national prominence — helping the team capture multiple conference championships, reach the NCAA Division II Final Four twice, and compete in the national championship final. His impact and legacy set the standard for excellence at LMU.
Professional
Pizarro was signed to a developmental contract by Kansas City Wizards on April 30, 2008, after impressing head coach Curt Onalfo and GM Peter Vermes during a two-day open tryout .[2] He made his full professional debut for the Wizards on 8 July 2008, in a US Open Cup quarterfinal game against the Seattle Sounders.
After his collegiate career, Pizarro went on to play professionally with stints in Serbia and Montenegro, the San Diego Flash, and ultimately with the USL First Division’s LA Blues, where he was personally invited to join by then–General Manager Warren Barton. His journey reflects a lifelong dedication to the game and a legacy of excellence both on and off the field.
Post-Retirement
You can still find Pizarro in the mix of the game. After hanging up his professional cleats, Nelson followed his lifelong passion for entrepreneurship.
He now coaches at San Diego Surf, an American youth soccer club.
Off the field, Nelson and his in-laws built the Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery (est. 2009), featuring a cozy tasting room in San Diego and a scenic vineyard in Ramona.
In 2022, Nelson founded Banking For Legacy — a financial education company where he teaches families and business owners how to self-finance, grow wealth, and take control of their money through the Infinite Banking Concept.
Whether it’s on the pitch, at the vineyard, or in the world of finance, Nelson continues to play the game — just on a bigger field.
