Slivinski, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, grew up immersed in that city's soccer culture.
Slivinski attended Francis Howell North High School where he was the 1992–1993 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Missouri.
A forward with blazing speed and electrifying creativity, Slivinski's college career was shattered when he suffered a torn ACL.
[1] On March 14, 1998 D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS) signed Slivinski as a discovery player.
As a result, United loaned him to MLS Pro-40, Hampton Roads Mariners, Northern Virginia Royals, Maryland Mania and San Diego Flash.