BREMERTON, WA — Goalkeeper Dustyn Brim was one of the very first faces of the Kitsap Pumas when the club came into being back in the fall of 2008. This week Brim announced he is leaving the club to start another chapter in his life.

“It’s a family based decision,” he said on the club website. “It makes sense, logistically — we were always going to go back to California. That was one of our plans to be there long-term. So going back just makes sense when you’re looking to start a family. We’re pretty big on family and when you’re raising kids there’s a big helping hand.”

Flashback: 2010 interview of Brim by David Falk

Brim also said that he is ending his playing career and making the transition toward coaching full time as well after back and knee injuries have limited him the last few seasons for the outdoor team.

“It was my body telling me that it might not hold up for the rigors of the season,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I could train at the level I wanted to train at. So at the end of the season, that’s when I started going through that thought process that I’m able to train and play up to the level of expectations that I have?

“So I just decided alright — make that decision (to stop playing) and move onto the next chapter of my life.”

Dustyn has been one of the most popular Pumas with supporters, in part because he has been with the club since the beginning and has stuck around as other guys have come and gone. His attitude, all-out effort and easy charm once he left the pitch made him seem like part of the family.

“I hope I’ve earned the place that I have with the fans,” Brim says. “There’s obviously a reason they’ve been endeared to me and I can’t thank them enough for their constant support and then the constant support of the club. They’ve been amazing and I’ve been allowed to take opportunities because the club allowed me to do that.

“I can’t say enough about the support I’ve gotten and it’s been community wide. I’ve enjoyed every moment that I’ve been a part of it.”

2010 fanvid.

Below is a collection of photos by goalWA.net from Brim’s Kitsap Pumas career.