BCC student set to play for Sounders FC

By Patrick Farricker.

The Super Bowl had finished in Tampa, and two men were awaiting the chance of a lifetime: a place in Seattle’s professional soccer squad, the Seattle Sounders FC. In a picturesque moment, the two finalists of the “Sounders Super Search” Vinicius Oliveira and Cerviano Garcia, stood side-by-side. As the tension mounted, the climactic moment arrived and Vini Oliveira was named the winner. Amidst the screams and shouts in celebration Seattle, and all of Washington State, witnessed a man that seemed ready to take on the challenge. “I’m ready. I’m ready for this. God…God told me that I’m ready for this,” said Oliveira moments after slipping into his brand new bright- green Sounders jersey.
The Brazilian-born soccer player is a well-known character here at BCC, playing soccer for the Bulldogs and playing his way into the NWAACC Hall of Fame. Oliveira was one of the Bulldogs’ key players as a striker, providing intelligent-runs and clinical-finishing during his time here. Oliveira scored 25 goals in the 2008 season. Oliveira also received an MVP award for the Western Region. Despite his obvious success and exceptional talent on the soccer field, Oliveira had a well-balanced life, working hard as a student and holding down a job as a barista.
Oliveira competed in one of the three Super Search tryouts in Yakima, Washington, which included over 600 other participants. There he quickly stood out as an amazing talent, his precise striking ability standing out as a key attribute. “Vini is a clinical goal scorer on the frontline,” said Darren Sawatzky, “He is lethal from all angles and all distances and always looks to goal first. He is good technically and has a huge