Timber keeps family tradition rolling

Backyard matches led Neil Dombrowski and brothers to big pitches

By steve brandon

The Portland Tribune, Apr 20, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

DOMBROWSKI

When Neil Dombrowski was growing up in Milwaukee, Wis., “it was all soccer, all the time.”

And all Dombrowskis.

Neil Dombrowski, 23, is the fourth oldest of eight children, who all played or are playing soccer.

The five oldest Dombrowskis all played for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The three youngest siblings are not yet in high school.

Neil Dombrowski is expected to start for the Portland Timbers when they open Saturday night at home against Puerto Rico. Last year, he was with Rochester, mostly as a reserve.

His road to the pros was paved in the family’s backyard.

“It wasn’t a big yard, but with the five older boys and some neighborhood kids, there was always a three-on-three or four-on-four game going on,” he says. “It got pretty rough sometimes.”

Neither of his parents played soccer, but his mom, Judy, has run marathons and his dad, Mark, is a former high school football-basketball player who has been a firefighter for 11 years.

Scott, 28, is the oldest of the Dombrowski bunch. He coaches youth soccer in Milwaukee and used to play for the A-League Milwaukee Rampage.

Chad, 26, plays for the expansion Carolina RailHawks.

Tighe, 25, is playing in the Swedish second division.

Then comes Neil, who is followed by Zeke, 20, a senior-to-be at Milwaukee-Wisconsin.

Still at home are Quinn, 13; Cade, 9; and sister Keally, 7.

All the Dombrowski boys play midfield or defense.

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