The Port Orchard Football Club’s first player on the roster is a Central Kitsap High School alum who will also serve as a coach.

General manager Sam Ironside said 26-year-old Bremerton native Sam Gomez would join the club as a midfielder and as an assistant to head coach Patrick Leonard. “Being behind the scenes as a part of the coaching staff as well as on the field as a player, I’ll be able to facilitate hands on the message of the coaches, which is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Gomez said.

Gomez developed his skills early on in the Crossfire Premier Club and spent a year in the academy program for the Seattle Sounders. He then took his talents to the NCAA level at California State University Bakersfield from 2015-18, but kept playing in the summer with the Kitsap Pumas, among other teams. Gomez most recently played professionally for San Diego 1904 FC and Real Espana in Honduras. He is also a coach at Kitsap Alliance FC and on the CK boys soccer staff.

Leonard said he couldn’t ask for a better signing. “I’ve seen Sam play from the youth levels locally, to then seeing him go on to have the collegiate and professional career he’s had in the game, and every step of the way his work ethic and dedication to his craft have been the driving force,” Leonard said. “He is the type of player that will elevate the level of play in our club. He makes everyone around him better.”

Gomez said he’s excited to be a part of Kitsap’s newest soccer team after the Pumas went under. “The club has done such a great job across the board getting the right people involved and creating excitement in the community, which really makes my role much easier. I can’t wait to get on the field and help give this community a soccer culture to be proud of.”

POFC is still finalizing details for tryouts. Ironside reported over 50 players have reached out so far.