Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Tom Soehn has been appointed to the position of director of soccer operations with the Whitecaps.
Soehn, 43, joins the 'Caps after spending the past three seasons as head coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United. The native of Chicago, Illinois, will develop and oversee the creation and operation of Vancouver’s player scouting, identification and recruitment system, as well as collaborate with the technical staff to formulate the roster.
"We're delighted to appoint Tom to this new role as director of soccer operations," said Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi. "Tom brings an invaluable wealth of MLS experience, both as a player and coach, to our club. We believe that his participation will help us reach our goals of being one of the best teams in MLS and in CONCACAF, as well as one of the best sports franchises in the world."
"I'm extremely honoured to be joining the Whitecaps staff," said Soehn. "This club has a long and storied history in professional soccer in North America, and I feel privileged to be part of their move to MLS in 2011 and beyond. I'm looking forward to working with everyone at the club and helping to build the Whitecaps into one of the most successful clubs in MLS."
Soehn brings nine years of MLS coaching experience to his new role in Vancouver, including the last six seasons with D.C. United. During his time with the Washington, D.C. outfit, Soehn led United to the 2007 MLS Supporters' Shield as regular season champions and the 2008 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup title. He also led United into the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League during the competition's first two seasons of existence. Soehn registered a 55W-48L-31D record in all competitions as United’s head coach, including an overall MLS record of 36W-31L-25D.
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Prior to becoming an MLS head coach, Soehn served as assistant coach to Peter Nowak at United from 2004 to 2006. In that time, United won the 2004 MLS Cup title and the 2006 MLS Supporters' Shield. His first coaching role came with hometown club Chicago Fire, where he served as an assistant to current United States men's national team head coach Bob Bradley in 2001 and 2002, then as an assistant to head coach Dave Sarachan in 2003.
Soehn also had a distinguished 13-year professional playing career as a defender/midfielder in the professional indoor and outdoor game in North America. This included four seasons in MLS with Dallas Burn (now known as FC Dallas) and Chicago. He won the 1997 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup title with Dallas before claiming the 1998 MLS Cup championship, and a further two US Open Cup titles in 1998 and 2000, as a member of the Fire. Soehn also played three seasons in the old American Professional Soccer League (APSL) with Colorado Foxes, where he won two APSL championship titles in 1992 and 1993. He also spent time playing professional indoor soccer with Wichita Wings, Denver Thunder, and Las Vegas Dustdevils. Soehn's playing career also included stints in the old Canadian Soccer League with Ottawa Intrepid and Hamilton Steelers.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, the Whitecaps created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, the Whitecaps have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. As a member of the new NASL, the Whitecaps will play in a second division league established and administered by the United States Soccer Federation. In 2011, Vancouver will play their inaugural season in Major League Soccer.
