Since joining Major League Soccer in 2009, the Seattle Sounders have been a standard bearer of success, winning four U.S. Open Cups, two MLS Cups and a historic Concacaf Champions League title.
While this sustained era of success has been fueled by the players on the pitch, these achievements were only possible because of the many talented people behind the scenes that allow the team to thrive in the constantly growing professional soccer landscape.
Head Athletic Trainer Sheila Tatsunami is one of those people.
“She goes above and beyond for everything,” said VP of Sports Medicine Chris Cornish. “The players really, really like her, the coaches trust her, and I obviously trust her and everything she does.”
Since her arrival to the club in 2013, Tatsunami has been a significant asset when it comes to supporting the physical health of players. Beginning at the Academy level and working with the Tacoma Defiance as the Director of Development Medical, to now providing her expertise as one of the leading roles in the First Team medical staff, Tatsunami has been vital across every level of the organization.
“Sheila has been here obviously for a long, long time,” said Cornish. “So, I think loyalty to the club and her devotion to everything she does is a great aspect that we need at the Sounders.”
She’s been impactful to the club and its players in more ways than one. While her main role is to get players right from a physical standpoint with injury prevention and rehabilitation, she goes beyond what is expected of her in ensuring the players perform to the best of their abilities.
“The effect that she's had on the development of so many people coming through [the Academy] and my age group, age groups before me, and after obviously too, to have been able to work with her, the whole progression from Academy to First Team, I really don't think any of us could have done it without her,” said midfielder Josh Atencio.
Atencio specifically points out her support in relation to mental health.
“If we're having struggles or anything, she's always willing to listen and willing to talk through things and she's really supportive,” he said. “After every game, she's always talking to me about how well she thought I played, so, it's just been so nice to have her on the medical side of things, but also on the mental side of things and just having someone to talk to.”
A former collegiate soccer player, Tatsunami understands the stressors that come with playing the sport at a competitive level. Her passion for soccer and medicine led to her current career path but she ultimately hopes through her own experiences, she can be a source for Sounders’ players to reach their potential.
“I feel like I can relate to them a little bit easier,” she said. “My world is about wanting players to reach their goals not only in their rehab, but also their career…All my energy is towards the players and if they're happy, I'm happy.”
She has a similar mindset when it comes to leading her own staff.
“I want to make sure they're comfortable and welcomed,” said Tatsunami. “We have an incredible, talented group, so I want to make sure they stay on that standard, and they don't shy away from what they know and what they can do.”
Tatsunami has built a long-standing career for herself, not only working with the Sounders organization but with the NWSL, USL and the U.S. Women's National Team as well. While her resume has given her opportunities elsewhere, she’s remained with Seattle for over a decade.
Atencio uses the word “lucky” when describing what it means to have Tatsunami as the Head Athletic Trainer of the club.
“It's been so beneficial,” he said. “I've been super fortunate to have her every step of my journey here.”
Tatsunami feels the same.
As she has become a crucial part of the Sounders organization, the Pacific Northwest club has played a monumental role in her life too.
“I stayed here because I'm very passionate about the players’ growth, health and wellbeing, and this environment,” said Tatsunami. “I've been here for a long time, so [the Sounders] became my family.”
