The Seattle Sounders’ newest player spends his days as an Everett barista.
Vinicius Oliveira, a 20-year-old Edmonds resident who works at an Everett espresso stand, was chosen Sunday night as the winner of a state-wide search for a roster spot on the Sounders FC. Oliveira won a contest called “Sounders Super Search,” which was an open tryout held by the Major League Soccer team over the past few weeks. The contest culminated with a live, televised finale late Sunday night on KING-5 TV.
“I’m ready for this,” he said in an interview with the television station late Sunday night. “God told me I’m ready for this.”
Ten finalists participated in Sunday night’s finale, and Oliveira was chosen as one of two finalists along with 22-year-old Sunnyside native Junior Garcia. The pair played a one-on-one battle during the half-hour telecast, with Garcia outscoring Oliveira 5-3. But Oliveira and Garcia were evaluated on more than the final score.
Oliveira, who was born in Brazil and played at Sammamish High School and Bellevue Community College, was announced as the winner shortly thereafter. He was swarmed by his future Sounders teammates.
This morning, Oliveira will travel to Los Angeles to begin training camp.
“I’m so happy. I’m really, really happy,” Oliveira told KING-5. “(Beginning today), I’ll be happy with all those players. We’re going to have a fun ride.”
The Sounders are an expansion team in the MLS and will begin play in March.
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