Tormenta's USL-W coach steps down to take job at VMI

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My oldest wasn't sure he really wanted to go. He'd been to a few USL-W League games with me in the summer of 2023, but was on the fence about going to the games in the early part of the 2024 USL League One season. 

Sometime in April at one of the Tormenta games, I saw Jim Robbins, the W-League Head Coach and wandered over to say hi and just kind of check in. I asked about the upcoming season and his expectations after a relatively down year in 2023 following their title-winning 2022 campaign. As we were wrapping up the conversation, Robbins turned to me and said something to the effect of  "And your assistant here is going to come with you, right?" 

That pretty much sealed it for my oldest. He was personally invited by the head coach to the games, and he went to every one we could in 2024. We even kept track of the playoff scenarios while on vacation, tracking the games and scores of the other divisions to see if Tormenta would make the playoffs. 

Unfortunately for Tormenta, they didn't qualify as an early season loss and two draws was enough to keep them out, but the 2024 team was as talented as any in USL-W, I'm convinced of that.

Robbins is the most laid back coach I've ever encountered. Clearly he knows what he's doing as he amassed a 25-5-9 record in three years as Tormenta's W-League coach. But he'd be willing to chat about anything and everything, even during pre-game warmups he'd be joking with me and my oldest. More than once he'd say "It's just a soccer game," and while he wants to win and has both an eye for talent and a talent for coaching, he seemed to know you're going to prepare and do everything you can and then they're going to roll the ball out there and you're going to see what happens. 

I'm going to miss Robbins on the sidelines this season as he's taken the head coaching job at Virginia Military Institute to be their Women's coach.  I have no doubt he'll do well there. But summer at Tormenta Stadium won't be the same without him around. 

Robbins told me it was a difficult decision, but the opportunity at VMI may be his last chance to get back into coaching at the Division I level in college. 

As for who the new Tormenta W-League Head Coach will be, no announcement has been made, but Co-Owner Darin Van Tassell said they're have someone in place as soon as they can. No timeframe was given for when they will hire someone. 

In addition to always being accessible and open, I'm grateful for Robbins for that invitation to my oldest to the games. Near the end of last season, I asked my son if he enjoyed the League One games or the W-League games more. He took a good minute to decide before saying it was close and he really liked different aspects of both of them. That's a win in my book.

News and Notes:

Former Tormenta W-League star Sydney Martinez was called up for the Puerto Rican National team for the Turkish Women's Cup.

If you've been to a Tormenta game, you've probably seen JJ the ball boy. He has an inspiring story and was signed to a Tormenta Youth Contract last week. This is certainly worth your time. 

The USL-W schedule came out earlier this week. Tormenta starts with three road matchups starting on May 17th before they play their first home match on May 28th. I'll mention it again closer to the start of their season, but W-League games are so much fun. 

Sarasota is making the move from USL2 to USL1. 

Tormenta fell 3-0 to Tampa Bay in their preseason match on Wednesday according to the Rowdies Bluesky account. 

One last thing on a personal note. This blog is and will always remain free (I can't imagine charging anyone to read this, can you?), but if you have the means and have found any enjoyment or value out of this, please consider donating to my son's high school soccer fundraiser. If you aren't able to, please consider sharing the link. https://app.verticalraise.com/fundraiser/statesboro-soccer-program-fundraiser/email/1636771/

Have an awesome day.



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