Chill's Sullivan Silva looks to repeat 2012 performance with injury free season

THUNDER BAY – During the past two years Sullivan Silva has doubted whether he would be able to continue playing soccer.

It’s been three years since the Thunder Bay Chill striker took the league by storm, netting a league-high 13 goals in 15 games during the 2012 campaign.

Sidelined first by a broken foot in 2013 and then an injured knee in 2014, it has been a difficult road for the Brazilian as he looks to return to the form that earned him the Premier Development League most valuable player honour.

After playing major minutes in three of the Chill’s first four games this year, he’s thrilled to be back.

“It’s a game I love. It’s great to be back doing what I love to do the most,” Silva said after he played in the club’s 4-0 win in Saturday night friendly match against the Winnipeg Lions.

“Let’s keep going and see how good I can get.”

The 25-year-old is doing more than merely making an appearance on the pitch. He’s already made his presence felt.

Silva scored the team’s first goal of the campaign, finding the net in the 24th minute of the Chill’s season opening 2-2 draw against the St. Louis Lions two weeks ago.

That was his first tally since Aug. 2, 2013, when he scored in added time of the Chill’s PDL semifinal win over the Victoria Highlanders.
Silva played 54 minutes in that opener and then 89 minutes the next night in the club’s 2-1 victory over St. Louis.

He then was on the pitch for most of the Saturday contest with Winnipeg before getting rested for the Chill’s 3-2 win the next afternoon.

“Sore,” he replied when asked how he was feeling after the first two weeks of game action.

“But I’m getting there. It’s much better than I expected but I still have a lot to do. I just have to keep working and trying to get myself in shape.”

Team captain Zetroy Robertson, who said Silva is like a brother to him, has watched his teammate fight with his body for the past two years trying to get healthy enough to return to the pitch.

It was difficult for Robertson to watch Silva faced with such a challenging path.

“It’s hard being on the pitch and not seeing him play,” he said. “I’m just happy he’s gotten over it, is recovering and now is able to continue.”

The two played together during the 2012 season, with Robertson constantly left in awe by Silva’s ability.

Even though Silva is still searching to regain his explosiveness, as seen by the contest against Winnipeg, there are glimpses of his superior skill level.

“I know he’s still a little off but when he’s 100 per cent no one in this league can stop him,” Robertson said.

Head coach Giovanni Petraglia is making sure his talented striker has as many opportunities as possible to get back comfortable on the pitch.

Now that his body his back in game shape, Silva needs to regain the belief that he can be as dominant as he once was.

“Even not just physically but he needs to recover mentally,” Petraglia said. “He didn’t think he would be able to come back as good as he was but I think he’s understanding he can and he will.”

The Chill play their regular season home opener on Friday and Saturday hosting the Springfield Synergy for a weekend series with nights with both contests scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.