Nelson will lend a wealth of experience to Harrisburg ’s goalkeeping corps in 2007. From 2003-2006, he was a key performer for the now-defunct Virginia Beach Mariners of the USL First Division. In 2006, Nelson was among the USL First Division goalkeeping leaders in minutes (2,380, third), wins (eight, tied for seventh), shutouts (eight, tied for fourth), saves (86, sixth), games played (27, tied for second), and goals against average (1.32, ninth). He was selected to play in the 2006 USL All-Star Game.

Prior to his time with the Mariners, Nelson played for both the South Jersey Barons and Cape Cod Crusaders of the Premier Development League. He was named that league’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2000. Nelson has also spent time with Kilkenny City of the Irish Premier League.