VANCOUVER, WA— The Victory recently made two big announcements when they revealed that Sunny Dulai (Director of Club Development) and Aaron Lewis (Head Coach) were joining the club in 2015. It was also noted that Alex Nimo was joining the coaching staff. In its own way, also a big move for V2FC.
“Alex is a special guy,” says V2FC owner Barrett Goddard. “The kind of guy that when he enters a room people are just drawn to him.” That kind of magnetism will be important for Nimo in his new role as assistant coach and talent recruiter. “He lives in the metro area and very connected to soccer players here,” Goddard says.
Nimo’s story includes being born in Monrovia, Liberia, before coming to the United States as a child with his family after escaping a civil war. His family ended up in Portland and he eventually caught the eye of the late Clive Charles at the University of Portland, who helped place him on the FC Portland roster. Alex was also on the United States U-17 and U-20 National Teams between 2007-2010 before declaring with his native Liberia. He was drafted 17th overall in the 2008 MLS Superdraft by Real Salt Lake.
Nimo has an MLS Cup ring with RSL.
Nimo was loaned to the USL Portland Timbers in 2009 as part of a side that finished top of the table. Then he was back to Real Salt Lake just in time to be part of that club’s 2009 MLS title. He returned to the Timbers in 2010.
Alex ended up in Estonia in 2012 with a club called Tammeka. It is there that he met his wife Ann. He will turn 25 years old in March.
A playing pedigree like that will of course have Victory fans wondering if Nimo will suit up and play for Vancouver in the Evergreen Premier League this season. The short — but exciting —- answer, is yes.
Nimo is quick to add: “Yes I am going to play as well but my main focus is coaching and trying to bring quality soccer players to the Victory.”
Nimo was a Timber during the end of the Portland USL era.
Looking for talent
Nimo has seen a lot on the pitch for a guy who is still just 24, but he is ready to focus less on playing and more on coaching and recruiting.
“When Barrett and I talked about me joining the coaching staff at Victory, I was very excited and I told him yes, that I would love to,” says Alex.
“I’m going to bring my experience from playing the game at a very high level. My goals are to bring talented young soccer players that fit our system, which is what Victory is trying to implement.”
Playing alongside Nimo could be a big incentive for local talent. Alex doesn’t mind being a drawing card, but he is already talking like a nurturer of other’s careers.
“My main goal with Vancouver is to actually see players develop in the way that you would like them to and getting the best out of them, for them to be able to grow as good soccer players.”
Nimo is just 5 feet, 5 inches tall, but he is lightning fast. “His presence is in his personality,” Goddard says. “That’s where he’s big. And yes, he still has great speed.”
Alex is already networking to get the best local players into light blue kits this coming season.
A Nimo highlight reel posted in 2012.
Alex in Estonia, 2012.
