TacomaTideSports.com – When Tacoma takes the pitch May 15 against the Kitsap Pumas, the team will showcase a new coach and roster that’s looking to turn the tide of last season’s 5-7-4 mark in the Western Conference’s Northwest Division.
Gerry Gray will man the sidelines this year as the Tide FC’s newest head coach. He comes into the role with 13 years of Canadian national team playing experience. During his playing days for Team Canada, Gray scored nine goals and recorded playing time at the game’s biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup as a midfielder.
“He brings a winning quality as well as experience of the highest level. We’re lucky to have his class on and off the pitch associated with the Tide,” said Tide FC general manager Jon Billings.
In 2001 Gray was inducted The Canada Soccer Hall of Fame.
“I can say he will bring a new passion and commitment to the Tide touchline that we have not seen in awhile,” said Tide FC owner Mike Jennings.
Gray takes over a team that touts veteran big-play ability both offensively and defensively.
Forward Rory Agu returns to the club for a fifth season after tallying 25 points for Tacoma in 2009. The striker netted 11 goals last year and is the team’s all-time leading scorer. Agu was also named to the All-Western Conference 1st team in 2009.
Manning the net will be Jordan Jennings. The Seattle University alum spent time last season training with Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC.
“Training with Kasey Keller was the best development I’ve ever had. Seeing Kasey’s focus and mentality when he steps in between the posts is something that I take a lot from," the Tide goalkeeper said.
Jordan Jennings, who has played every season since the Tide’s inaugural year (2006), added, “I think Gerry will take us to a new level this season. I know that we’ve had success in past years but this season there is an entirely new feeling in the team. It really feels like a professional level with everyone on the same page about winning.” He also noted, “Training has been ferocious.”
Agu and Jennings won’t be the only ones that will be looked to this season. Chris Sanders, a local product that played prep soccer at Thomas Jefferson High School (Auburn, Wash.) and the University of Portland, returns to the Northwest after soccer took the striker to Germany to play overseas for FC Nürnberg and back stateside with the Rochester Rhinos. Also, Rafael Cox is back in town after playing last season with Real Salt Lake, or MLS.
Helping keep the opposing team’s scorebook clean will be college products Elliot Morton and Tyler Klein. Morton, a 6-foot-4 defender from Tacoma, is a junior at Seattle Pacific University and started 18 games for the Falcons this past season. Klein, also a junior, plays for the University of Washington and started 13 games in 2009 for the Huskies.
