When Alex Silva was putting together the foundation for the North Sound SeaWolves, he wanted it to be a developmental team for college players looking to move on to a higher level. But he also knew he needed a veteran presence as a guide for the younger players.
And he knew just where to turn.
Longtime Seattle Sounder Craig Tomlinson not only provides Silva with the experienced leader he needed, he’s also given the SeaWolves an athletic, tough player who shows no signs of wearing down despite being on the cusp of turning 40 in October.
“Craig is a great player, he understands the game and has great experience on the professional level,” Silva said. “Craig knows what it takes to move on to the next level and knows that his position with the team is more than just a player, and he’s willing to help the younger guys move up to the next level. He takes care of himself very well and physically can take on any younger player.”
Tomlinson hopes to help the SeaWolves (0-2-3) to their first win when they play host to Victoria (2-2-2) at 3 p.m. today at Goddard Stadium.
Tomlinson, a native of Jamaica, is a familiar face to the Puget Sound soccer community. He signed with the Sounders — then of the United Soccer League’s First Division — in 2000, and went on to play in 119 matches before retiring after the 2008 season. He won two USL-1 championships with Seattle but was even better known for his work in the community, serving as the Sounders’ director of community outreach programs and winning the team’s Community Player of the Year award three times. He has a similar role with the SeaWolves, for whom he heads the youth program.
“I have a blast getting to share my passion and love of the game and giving back,” Tomlinson said. “The game has blessed me and it’s awesome to help a young kid or a young adult either learn to do a certain skill, or giving them my insight on how to do something different. Being able to relate to the young players gives me such a great feeling of doing something positive for this game.”
Tomlinson said a youth camp is planned and the team has hosted a pregame clinic for kids. He’s focused on forming partnerships with the Snohomish County youth soccer clubs.
“Every child needs quality attention so they can grow and feel empowered to do anything they want and achieve success,” he said. “If I can bring that kind of enthusiasm and passion to Snohomish County as part of the SeaWolves, that’s what we’re about.”
Of course, he also wants to win games. After retiring from the Sounders, Tomlinson played recreationally in men’s leagues and in 2010, Silva asked if he’d be interested in joining the Yakima Reds of the Premier Development League, who Silva ran at the time. Tomlinson said the commute was too much, but when Silva later approached him about the SeaWolves, he jumped at it.
“Alex and I have similar philosophies and similar experiences growing up,” Tomlinson said. “We had few advantages but we had good people around us guiding us, and we both have an interest in developing youth and helping kids grow and have a passion for the game.”
Tomlinson has lined up primarily at left fullback for the SeaWolves, a big change for a guy who has been an attacking player most of his career. Silva said he was going to take a look at Tomlinson in a more attacking role in practice this week, but Tomlinson said he’s comfortable doing what the team needs of him.
So how much longer will Tomlinson play? He said he feels better physically than he has in a long time and right now, he has no intention of quitting.
“I’ve always told myself when I stop having fun and enjoying myself, I’ll stop,” he said. “I feel like I’m making a difference for my teammates, for my community, bringing some joy to the fans and the kids. I’m healthy, I’m having fun and I love competing, so I want to do that for as long as I can.”
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