Former FC Salmon Creek coach and youth development leader takes the helm of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most storied collegiate soccer programs.
FC Salmon Creek is proud to celebrate a major milestone for one of its most accomplished former coaches. Tina Frimpong Ellertson has been named head coach of the University of Portland women’s soccer program, becoming the seventh head coach in Portland Pilots history.
For the Salmon Creek soccer community, the announcement carries special significance. Long before taking the reins of a Division I program, Ellertson spent more than a decade helping develop young players, mentoring coaches, and strengthening the foundation of youth soccer in Southwest Washington.
Her appointment represents another chapter in a remarkable career that has taken her from Vancouver to the U.S. Women’s National Team, professional soccer, and now the highest levels of collegiate coaching.
A Lasting Legacy at Salmon Creek
Ellertson’s connection to FC Salmon Creek runs deep.
Over more than ten years with the club, she served in several important roles, including Assistant Director of Coaching, Technical Director, and Youth Development Academy Director. She also coached multiple competitive teams, helping players develop their technical abilities, tactical understanding, and confidence on the field.
Under her leadership, Salmon Creek teams captured state championships in both Washington and Oregon, as well as a National Premier League championship.
Her impact extended beyond results.
As a leader within Salmon Creek’s youth development program, Ellertson helped establish an environment where young players could build their skills, develop a love for the game, and prepare for opportunities at higher levels of competition.
When she accepted an assistant coaching position at the University of Washington in 2020, Ellertson reflected on what the club meant to her.
“It has been such a blessing to start my coaching career at Salmon Creek Soccer Club,” she said at the time.
For FC Salmon Creek, her success is a reminder of the caliber of coaching and development that has been part of the club’s history.
An Extraordinary Playing Career
Before becoming one of the region’s most respected coaches, Ellertson established herself as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most accomplished soccer players.
A Vancouver native, she starred at the University of Washington, earning Pac-10 Player of the Year honors in both 2003 and 2004 and finishing her collegiate career as the Huskies’ all-time leading scorer.
Her achievements earned her induction into the University of Washington Husky Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Pac-12 Hall of Fame in 2022.
Ellertson went on to represent the United States Women’s National Team at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, earning 35 international caps during her career.
She also competed professionally, concluding her playing career with the Portland Thorns, where she helped the club win the inaugural NWSL Championship in 2013.
That experience at the highest levels of the game became an invaluable resource for the young players she would later coach at Salmon Creek.