D.C. United announced today that Sonny Silooy has been named as an Assistant Coach. The Dutchman joins United following over 30 years of professional playing and coaching experience at the highest levels of European football.
“Sonny has a wealth of experience at the professional and national team levels as both a player and coach,” said General Manager Dave Kasper. “We are very pleased to have him join our organization.”
In his new role with the Black-and-Red, Silooy will assist Ben Olsen’s first team staff with scouting and video analysis. Using his vast experience in the game, Silooy will also work closely with all of United’s teams in the area of player development, including the U-23 team and Youth Academy sides.
Silooy is a product of the highly-esteemed AFC Ajax Academy system, both as player and a coach. Last season, Silooy coached the Dayton Dutch Lions of the USL Premier Development League and was awarded the Progress of the Year Award out of 70 eligible teams.
Silooy began his career playing as a defender for Amsterdam-based Ajax of the Dutch Eredivisie over the course of two campaigns from 1980-1987 and 1989-1996. He appeared in over 250 league games for the squad and won six domestic Dutch championships, in addition to winning the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the UEFA Super Cup in 1995.
Silooy also garnered 25 caps during his time with the Dutch National Team, and he enjoyed further club success with Mantra R.C. de Paris (1987-1989), Germany’s Arminia Bielefeld (1996-1998), and De Graafschap of Holland (1998-2000).
Following his playing career, Silooy coached youth players from 2000 through 2003 before returning to the Ajax’s famed De Toekomst Academy until 2008. He coached the U-12 Ajax developmental squad for three seasons as well as the U-19 squad for two campaigns, while also managing scouting duties for the Dutch giants.
