Tommy Tanner
Encyclopedia
Thomas “Tommy” Tanner is a retired American soccer midfielder
who played professionally in the USL A-League, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer Leaguey. He was the 1992 MISL Rookie of the Year.
where he was a 1984 third team and 1985 fourth team NSCAA High School All American and a 1985 Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player. He attended North Carolina State University
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1986 to 1990. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1991.
of the Major Indoor Soccer League selected Tanner in the second round of the MISL Draft. On June 29, 1991, Tanner made his debut and scored his first goal for the Crunch in a rare outdoor exhibition game against PSV Eindhoven. He was the 1992 MISL Rookie of the Year. The MISL collapsed in 1992 and the Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. Tanner and his team mates went on to win the 1994, 1996, and 1999 championships. In 2000, the Crunch lost in the finals to the Milwaukee Wave
. Tanner retired from the Crunch in 2001.
In 1996, Tanner joined the Rochester Rhinos of the USISL A-League. He spent each summer for the next six years playing for the Rhinos, serving as team captain from 1998 to 2001. In 1996, Rochester went to the finals of both the league championship and the Open Cup
. In 1999, Rochester won the 1999 U.S. Open Cup. It also won league titles in 1998
, 2000
and 2001
. In 2003, Tanner moved to the Syracuse Salty Dogs
as a player-assistant coach. In August 2003, he added general manager
to his list of team duties. The Salty Dogs withdrew from the league following the 2004 season and folded.
of the USL A-League. In 2004, he founded and coached the Syracuse Youth Football Club. In 2011, he became the Head Coach and owner of the Syracuse Silver Knights.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who played professionally in the USL A-League, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer Leaguey. He was the 1992 MISL Rookie of the Year.
Youth
Tanner graduated from Henninger High SchoolHenninger High School
Anthony A. Henninger High School is a high school in the Syracuse City School District. Henninger is the largest of the four High Schools in this district with a student population of approximately 1,800 people.- History :...
where he was a 1984 third team and 1985 fourth team NSCAA High School All American and a 1985 Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player. He attended North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1986 to 1990. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1991.
Professional
In 1991, the Cleveland CrunchCleveland Crunch
The Cleveland Crunch was formed in 1989 as an expansion team in the Major Soccer League to replace the Cleveland Force, which had folded on July 22, 1988. Akron businessmen George S. Hoffman and Stuart Lichter formed an ownership group, named Al Miller general manager and former Force star Kai...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League selected Tanner in the second round of the MISL Draft. On June 29, 1991, Tanner made his debut and scored his first goal for the Crunch in a rare outdoor exhibition game against PSV Eindhoven. He was the 1992 MISL Rookie of the Year. The MISL collapsed in 1992 and the Crunch moved to the National Professional Soccer League. Tanner and his team mates went on to win the 1994, 1996, and 1999 championships. In 2000, the Crunch lost in the finals to the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
. Tanner retired from the Crunch in 2001.
In 1996, Tanner joined the Rochester Rhinos of the USISL A-League. He spent each summer for the next six years playing for the Rhinos, serving as team captain from 1998 to 2001. In 1996, Rochester went to the finals of both the league championship and the Open Cup
1996 U.S. Open Cup
- First Round :* El Paso Patriots 3-0 RWB Adria * Carolina Dynamo 5-0 Mo's Sport Shop * Fort Myers Manatees 6-0 St...
. In 1999, Rochester won the 1999 U.S. Open Cup. It also won league titles in 1998
1998 A-League
-Northeast Division:-Atlantic Division:-Central Division:-Pacific Division:-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-Eastern Conference semifinal 1:-Eastern Conference semifinal 2:-Western Conference semifinal 1:...
, 2000
2000 A-League
-Northeast Division:-Atlantic Division:-Central Division:-Pacific Division:-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-----Eastern semifinal 1:-Eastern semifinal 2:-Western semifinal 1:-Western semifinal 2:...
and 2001
2001 A-League
-History:The addition of the Portland Timbers this season saw the renewal of a Pacific Northwest rivalry between them, the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps which dated back to the North American Soccer League. Although Vancouver was not new to the league, this was the first season they...
. In 2003, Tanner moved to the Syracuse Salty Dogs
Syracuse Salty Dogs
The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team based in Syracuse, New York. The club were a member of the USL A-League, playing only two seasons from 2003-2004. The club was owned and operated by the Syracuse Pro Sports Group and played most home games at P&C Stadium...
as a player-assistant coach. In August 2003, he added general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
to his list of team duties. The Salty Dogs withdrew from the league following the 2004 season and folded.
Coach
In 2001, Tanner became the director of coaching with the Syracuse Soccer Academy, a position he held until 2003. In 2003, Tanner became an assistant coach with the Syracuse Salty DogsSyracuse Salty Dogs
The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team based in Syracuse, New York. The club were a member of the USL A-League, playing only two seasons from 2003-2004. The club was owned and operated by the Syracuse Pro Sports Group and played most home games at P&C Stadium...
of the USL A-League. In 2004, he founded and coached the Syracuse Youth Football Club. In 2011, he became the Head Coach and owner of the Syracuse Silver Knights.