The next stop on Erica Tymrak's soccer journey isn't too far from home.
Timrak, a National Women's Soccer League veteran and Lakewood Ranch native, was one of the first three players to sign with Tampa Sun FC, one of eight teams in the USL Super League, a new professional women's soccer league set to play its inaugural season in August.
“Growing up in this community is surreal,” Tymrak said at the team's first practice on July 5. “It's when I knew I wanted to take soccer to the next level. To be able to come back to my hometown and inspire the next generation and play in front of the community I grew up in is a once in a lifetime dream come true and I'm going to cherish every moment of it.”
The trend of signing Florida-based talent like Tymrak was intentional for Suns head coach Dennis Silte-Brown, who describes him as skilled on the field and a great leader to his teammates off it.
“I think she wanted to be in this area just like I did,” said Silte Brown, who coached the USF women's soccer team for 17 years before taking over as head coach at the Sun. “I think God opened the door for her to continue playing the sport she loved, but in the city where she felt most supported and wanted to live her life. So it really was fate for her to come and play in Tampa Bay, and it was just the way it was meant to be.”
Timrak, 31, played for the IMG Soccer Academy club team for five years. She led the team to the U-18 semifinals in 2008 and the Florida State Cup U-19 finals in 2009. She was named IMG Soccer Player of the Year twice (2008 and 2009) and IMG Most Valuable Player three times (2005-2007).
She began her collegiate career at the University of Florida where she was named All-Freshman in 2009. She was also a two-time All-American (2011-12) and three-time All-SEC First Team selection (2010-2012) with the Gators.
As a professional, she was selected 11th overall by FC Kansas City in the first NWSL College Draft. She played five seasons, winning two championships (2014, 2015) and the 2013 Rookie of the Year award.
Utah Royals FC added Tymrak to their roster after FC Kansas City went offline after the 2017 season. She also played on loan to Germany's Bayern Munich and Australia's Melbourne City in the 2013-14 and 2016-17 seasons.
Tymrak retired at age 28 in 2020 but returned to the NWSL a year later as a member of the Orlando Pride, where he played three seasons before both parties mutually agreed to release him from his contract.
Tymlack said he is looking forward to bringing the championship home to Tampa and having his family nearby to cheer him on.
“We're putting pressure on the front office, saying, 'Hey, we need 107 tickets for the first game,'” she joked. “It's probably not going to happen, but I think it's a good sign that people want to come out and support this inaugural season.”
Timrak and his teammates have bonded by exploring the city and playing escape games together, and he said it feels like they've known each other “forever.”
Tampa Bay Sun FC will begin their inaugural season with a match against Dallas Trinity FC on Aug. 18. The kickoff time for the match has yet to be announced. The schedule for the remainder of the season can be found on the team's website at tampabaysunfc.com.
