Tanner Thompson Feeling At Home With Indy Eleven

Photo credit: Rob Edwards/KLC

Life in the state of Indiana is something new Indy Eleven midfielder Tanner Thompson is getting used to. After graduating from Indiana University, one of the nation’s most consistently successful college soccer programs, Thompson continues his stint in the Hoosier State after inking a deal with “Indiana’s Team” earlier in the month of March.

Going back to his roots, Thompson was destined to hit the field and lace up his cleats – it’s in his genes. His father, Gregg, was a crucial part of the first ever national championship team at Indiana University in 1982. Joining the program in 1978, the elder Thompson missed the 1979 season due to an injury but was a regular in the starting XI from 1980-1982. In his final season, the defender captained Indiana in their run to the NCAA Championship game, where Thompson’s two goals secured his team a 2-1 win over Duke University. After a successful pro career in the NASL and MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) that also featured a round with the U.S. men’s national team in the 1984 Summer Olympics and in World Cup qualifiers ahead of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Thompson retired in 1988 and eventually retreated back to the Sacramento area, two hours north of his hometown San Jose, with his wife Nelle, where they raised their four children – Ty, Tanner, Tommy, and Tatum.

“Getting into it, we played starting at a young age," Thompson said. "My dad had us start playing and we all really enjoyed it. Every day, whether in the backyard or on the training ground, we competed against each other at a high level, but we all really enjoyed it.

"I got into college and played at Indiana with my younger brother Tommy for a year before he headed out to San Jose, but we’ve always pushed each other and since we’re close in age it kept us competitive.”

As Thompson’s game grew, scouts on the national stage took notice. The budding talent featured for four years at Granite Bay High School in Granite Bay, Calif., helping the Grizzlies to a sectional championship as a sophomore and the league title the next year, also being named the 2011 Sierra Foothill League MVP. Though his older brother Ty, who was also a standout at Granite Bay, committed to play for Stanford, both Tanner and his younger brother Tommy decided to follow in the footsteps of their father and head to Bloomington to play for the Indiana Hoosiers.

“Since my dad was a part of that first IU team to win a national championship in 1982, and I had a cousin who went there in the early 2000s, Tommy and I decided to head out that way, too,” Thompson said. “We had a solid few years there. Going into college, you obviously aim for a national championship. Though I wasn’t able to achieve that, we made a lot of good runs in conference tournaments and in the NCAA Tournament, but it never really fell into place.”

Thompson’s successful career at Indiana made him an impressive MLS draft prospect. As a two-time Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, two-time First-Team All-Big Ten honoree, and a one-time First-Team All-American (NSCAA), the 5’7” fighter decided to make the leap and head to the MLS combine in January.

“The MLS combine and draft experience was a fantastic one and helped me grow even more as a player," he said. "Starting in January with the combine and playing with everyone there, getting to know other guys and the coaching staff, it was a great opportunity. "The draft was a little bit nervy, though. The first day I didn’t end up getting drafted so that upped the nerves for the second day even more, but I found a good spot in Minnesota for six weeks and got a lot better. The opportunity there didn’t work out for me, but that allowed me to come out here and it’s been a good situation for me in the last couple of weeks.”

Though his MLS days were limited, Thompson landed at the feet of head coach Tim Hankinson and his staff who saw the opportunity to snatch the tidy playmaker and wasted no time in doing so. On the decision to bring in Thompson, Hankinson praises the timing of the move and both the player’s attitude and skillset, which make him a valuable addition to the 2017 squad.

“Looking at an injection of young talent, Tanner clearly fits that category and we’re fortunate to have him join us,” Hankinson said. “He’s a very good attacking midfielder who can also play as a second forward. With his talent, he can play anywhere in the midfield and we’ll look to utilize him very quickly in our lineup. He came at just the right time.”

When the offer came, Thompson never saw any reason to search anywhere else. After training with the team in previous summers due to his connection with IU, he knew the offer was right. The deal paid off almost instantly, with Thompson starting for Indy Eleven in the season opening 1-1 draw in San Francisco just days after inking his first professional deal.

“My debut was an awesome experience, especially being in San Francisco," Thompson said. "I’m from near Sacramento so my whole family was able to come out and the entire experience was great. I’m looking forward to the home opener this weekend and seeing the crowd again and more games to come.” 

As he marches towards his first game in front of the Brickyard Battalion and the rest of the incredible fan base Indy Eleven has to offer, Thompson has all eyes on success this year. His desire to chip in as a creative piece on the stat sheet and drive “Indiana’s Team” back to The Championship, the NASL's four-club postseason tournament, coupled with the support he has received from both the Hoosier and Indy Eleven faithful in recent weeks, will make him a key feature throughout the 2017 season – something Thompson couldn’t be happier about.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Indy fans when I was in Bloomington and how great their support is," he said. "The seasons overlapped a little bit so I never had a chance to experience it first hand, but I’m excited to see it in person this weekend. I’ve seen them on TV and on YouTube, but I can’t wait to hear them and get in front of them for the home opener.

"At Indiana, I was lucky enough to go to a school that had the support for a college soccer team that very few in the country can match. They supported me the last four years, and now to transition to Indy Eleven I’m thrilled to have that little bit of Hoosier crossover but also to get acclimated with individual fans and see it all come together. I got a lot of messages of support after the game so I hope I can keep up my performances.”

After questions surrounding his future leaving Bloomington and then Minnesota, Thompson has again found a home back in Indiana for another year.