Tacoma Tide FC has a new head coach to lead them in the exciting Northwest soccer scene. (Club press release)

It is not an exaggeration to say that Greg Howes, the Tacoma Tide FC’s new head coach for 2009 is a world class soccer presence. Howes’ experience in competing for the United States National Team and numerous indoor soccer accolades is only equaled by his representation of our National Futsal team in the World Championships. Howes brings a number of things to the Tide with his appointment of Head Coach. One of the biggest factors is his understanding of the current soccer climate in the NW.

General Manager & Owner of the Tide – Mike Jennings:

 “The Tacoma Tide Sports Club is proud to introduce Greg Howes as our new head coach of the Tacoma Football Club. Tacoma and Pierce County have a rich tradition of quality soccer and I am pleased that the Tide will have the services of one of its own outstanding soccer products to guide our team this season. Greg is a wonderful player and a strong, up and coming coach. I am looking forward to working with him in the 2009 campaign and toward another division crown.”

With the Sounders FC gracing much of the area’s media, and with Vancouver and Portland to join the excitement for 2011, it is important for the Tide to find where they fall into this NW soccer landscape. Greg Howes understands right where the future for Tacoma soccer can be because he’s taken part in its history:

“I’ve played in the PDL back in the late 90’s back, when I was at Oregon State.” Howes said. “That’s how I ended up getting drafted by the Sounders (USL-1). They saw me playing against their PDL team. I played there, and then I was picked up in the old MISL, then the A League, and got called up to play with the US National Team when Bruce Arena was there.”

In addition to Howes’ outdoor and indoor soccer experience, where he was a 3-time League MVP, he also played for the US National Futsal team from 2001-2005, including the World Championships during that time. Recently, he continues to play with the MLS - Sounders FC for reserve matches. On the coaching side, Howes is the Director of Coaching for the South Hill Soccer Club and he also coaches the PASL Tacoma Stars indoor team.

Greg knows what is in the future for the Tacoma Tide’s young talents. As far as where the Premier Development League (PDL) fits into the pyramid, Howes recognizes this is a vital step on in the pro soccer ladder.

“Now to be coaching in a league that gave me my start toward the professional ranks, it’s exciting to think that I could be helping guys further their careers and live a dream, like the league did for me.”

This will be the first year, since he graduated from Oregon State, that Greg will not be playing professionally. The transition from player to coach is an intriguing one for Greg.

“It excites me, to be with a group that has the vision that these guys have, and to be able to coach kids, or really, men, who are aspiring to be pros. For me, being a pro player and playing in many different levels, it’s natural to want to coach guys who want to play at a highest level.”

Goals for the season?

“The goal is to get a team together that will take the small steps to combine as a team and develop camaraderie. Like always though, to take one game at a time.”

Greg breaks down the process into four components for a successful coaching job.

“1- Get team together.

2- Evaluate team.

3- Development of the team.

4- Goals come from there: win league / championship. No one gets into competitive sports without that mentality, but my goals are finish atop the NW division, to create an atmosphere where we don’t lose at home (Tide haven’t lost at home since 2006), and as far as the 2nd season (playoffs), playing in August for a national championship. I’ve been fortunate to coach and play in national championship tournaments, and there’s no better feeling than to have, and to see that look on other guys’ face, guys that you helped to play at that high level.”

All of that considered, Howes says the overall goal is to help individuals further their soccer careers. This fits seamlessly with the PDL’s overlying objective – “The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city,” – from USLsoccer.com

Greg began his pro soccer journey with the PDL’s Willamette Valley Firebirds. Greg led the entire league in goals scored while starring for the Firebirds. He competed against teams like the Cascade Surge and Yakima Reds, whom he’ll coach the Tide up against in this season’s NW Division. Soccer for Greg Howes has truly come full circle.