Tom Silvas
Encyclopedia
Thomas “Tom” Silvas is a former U.S. soccer forward
who played three seasons in the Western Soccer Alliance, one in the American Professional Soccer League
and at least two in the USISL. He earned two caps with the U.S. national team
in 1986 and currently coaches youth soccer.
from 1980 to 1983. He played four seasons with the Lancers soccer team in the West Catholic Athletic League
being named the league’s offensive MVP from 1981 to 1983. He also holds the league’s career scoring record with 41 goals in 36 games. He then attended UCLA where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1983 to 1986. In 1985, the Bruins won the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
and Silvas was named the team’s offensive MVP in 1986.
, in 1988 with the San Jose Earthquakes, and in 1989 with the California Kickers
. In 1990, the league merged with the American Soccer League
to form the American Professional Soccer League
. Silvas began the season with the Heat, but was hampered by an ankle injury. The team released him as he was healthy and he jumped across the country to sign with the Orlando Lions
. He was also listed as playing the 1996 and 1997 seasons with the Chico Rooks
of the USISL.
, both in February 1986. The first game was a scoreless tie with Canada
on February 5. Bruce Murray replaced him in the 80th minute. The second game came two days later, a 1-1 tie with Uruguay
.
and coaches youth club soccer in San Jose, California
. He is also the junior varsity soccer coach at St. Francis High School. From the past two years, he has led the JV soccer team to back-to-back championships, the first one being, which was not won in a very long time, all wins except 1 loss, and 2 ties, and the second championship(2007–2008) going undefeated. This is the first time since 1977 since the J.V. boys soceer team had won back-to-back soccer championships.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who played three seasons in the Western Soccer Alliance, one in the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
and at least two in the USISL. He earned two caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in 1986 and currently coaches youth soccer.
High school and college
Silvas attended St. Francis High SchoolSaint Francis High School (Mountain View)
Saint Francis High School, founded in 1954 by the Brothers of Holy Cross, is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory secondary school located in Mountain View, CA. The Brothers of Holy Cross serve both on the faculty and on the Board of Directors...
from 1980 to 1983. He played four seasons with the Lancers soccer team in the West Catholic Athletic League
West Catholic Athletic League
The West Catholic Athletic League or WCAL is a highly competitive high school athletic conference in the Central Coast Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. The boys division is made up of seven private Catholic schools and one Christian school in the Western and Southern portions...
being named the league’s offensive MVP from 1981 to 1983. He also holds the league’s career scoring record with 41 goals in 36 games. He then attended UCLA where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1983 to 1986. In 1985, the Bruins won the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
and Silvas was named the team’s offensive MVP in 1986.
Professional career
Silvas spent three seasons in the Western Soccer Alliance, each with a different team. In 1987, he played with the Los Angeles HeatLos Angeles Heat
Los Angeles Heat joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. They joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the WSL merged with the American Soccer League...
, in 1988 with the San Jose Earthquakes, and in 1989 with the California Kickers
California Kickers
California Kickers were a soccer club based in Hollywood, California. They joined the Western Soccer Alliance in 1986. They initially played as Hollywood Kickers before changing their name for the following season. In 1990 the team name was changed again, becoming the California Emperors when they...
. In 1990, the league merged with the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
to form the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. Silvas began the season with the Heat, but was hampered by an ankle injury. The team released him as he was healthy and he jumped across the country to sign with the Orlando Lions
Orlando Lions
The Orlando Lions was an American soccer team from Orlando, Florida which existed from 1985 to 1996. Over the years, the Lions competed at both the amateur and professional levels including some seasons as an independent team....
. He was also listed as playing the 1996 and 1997 seasons with the Chico Rooks
Chico Rooks
The Chico Rooks was an American soccer team, founded in 1993 by Guido Barbero. The team was a member of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006...
of the USISL.
National team
Silvas earned two caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, both in February 1986. The first game was a scoreless tie with Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
on February 5. Bruce Murray replaced him in the 80th minute. The second game came two days later, a 1-1 tie with Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
.
Post playing career
Silvas works as an attorney in Los Gatos, CaliforniaLos Gatos, California
The Town of Los Gatos is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 29,413 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area at the southwest corner of San Jose in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains...
and coaches youth club soccer in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. He is also the junior varsity soccer coach at St. Francis High School. From the past two years, he has led the JV soccer team to back-to-back championships, the first one being, which was not won in a very long time, all wins except 1 loss, and 2 ties, and the second championship(2007–2008) going undefeated. This is the first time since 1977 since the J.V. boys soceer team had won back-to-back soccer championships.