Somers' Washington caps off Major League Soccer career

SOMERS, N.Y. - In October, Taylor Washington retired from Nashville SC of Major League Soccer. After ten years of playing professionally, the Somers native was recently honored by the organization—not because he held team records or was the star, but, as his father Marc Washington explained, “He’s a grinder. He’s a lunch pail guy.”

Adding several high school state titles and success at Boston College and George Mason University, the proud father is almost mystified by how it all began so inadvertently.

“We just moved up here to Somers, and my wife Jane said, ‘by the way, I just signed him up for AYSO soccer,’” he remembered. “And it went from there.”

FC Somers Soccer came next, and Taylor’s ascent took off. “That team went on to win two state titles,” said Washington.

With ten players going Division I, winning was no coincidence. “They learned to play the right way—with joy and with grit,” he said.

Crediting the great coaching of Dave McCollum, Lonnie Unger, Boris Bandoff, and Chris Gonzalez, the family chose to keep Taylor’s education and development focused. “From Somers to Iona Grammar,” said Washington, “we wanted a smaller environment.”

Along the way, Taylor also succeeded in basketball, baseball, track, and golf—without taking away from his primary gift. Offering a different perspective, said Washington, “It made him a better athlete, a better soccer player.”

His growing proficiency didn’t go unnoticed. Fordham and Iona Prep both showed interest, but Rye Country Day School ultimately won out.

Once the dotted line was signed, soccer wasn’t the only thing on the freshman’s plate. “It’s a highly prestigious academic school and culturally interesting,” said Washington. “He worked hard and persevered.”

The same was true on the soccer field, where multiple championships followed. “Ninety schools contacted him in high school,” said Dad.

Notre Dame, Indiana, St. John’s, and Georgetown were among them. “It was a deluge,” said Washington.

Decision time eventually landed Taylor at Boston University in 2011, though the stop proved temporary. Diagnosed with dyslexia, he found the program at George Mason University too good to pass up. “It was straightforward and easy to understand,” said Washington. “So by the grace of God, he was able to transfer.”

Not before helping BU capture a regular season championship, the move to George Mason ushered in more success. Taylor played 51 games, was part of an Atlantic 10 championship, served as senior captain, and made an All-Star team.

By 2015, the Student-Athlete of the Year was ranked among the top ten wing backs in the nation, and the future began to take shape. “They told us he could go top ten in the MLS SuperDraft,” remembered Washington.

But the family wasn’t exactly versed in pro soccer. “We’re like, what draft,” Dad joked.

Though the future seemed bright, Taylor was hesitant about going further—until his mother intervened. “You don’t want to look back, and say, why didn’t I go,” the husband conveyed his wife’s counsel.

So Taylor relented and was signed by the Philadelphia Union, where he received a huge welcome on draft day. Appreciating his reputation for hard work, “They went crazy,” said Washington.

He began with the Union’s minor league affiliate, but the stay didn’t last. When his contract ended, mutual interest quickly developed with Nashville SC. “We want you here,” Washington conveyed the words of GM Mike Jacobs.

One hundred sixty-six games later, Taylor’s lunch pail remained full, and the appreciation didn’t wane even when injury led to retirement. Occurring in the midst of Nashville’s U.S. Open Cup run, the organization still found a way to honor him. “The captains give him the trophy,” boasted Washington.

“The OG,” as he’s affectionately known, will have a working retirement. “Nashville is negotiating with him to be an ambassador as their face in the community,” said Washington.

Soccer, however, isn’t the only reason for his recognition. Taylor is a five-time winner of Nashville’s Humanitarian Award for his outreach to the poor. Faith in God serves as a foundation, but the inspiration runs closer to home.

Out for milk with his father one day, Taylor saw him encounter an old friend who had fallen on hard times and become homeless. His father took the man out for lunch and gave him extra clothing. Taylor took note. Said Washington, “He’s been doing that ever since.”

Of course, Taylor will also be pursuing his higher calling. He is currently enrolled in a master’s program in theology at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Inspiring and grounded, the home that soccer gave him continues to reflect a universal lesson. “He chose soccer because it gave him the most joy,” concluded Washington.