TACOMA SEMI-PRO TEAMS HIT THE ROAD AND RING UP WINS
Three of the Tacoma area’s semi-pro football teams hit the road in Western Washington Football Alliance action Saturday, June 14, and all three returned home victorious.
The Puyallup Nation Kings continued their winning ways, moving their record to 4-0 after a 38-11 thumping of the Snohomish County Thunder at Marysville-Pilchuck Stadium. The Pierce County Bengals also remained undefeated at 4-0 after seeing its offense finally get on-track with a 66-20 pounding of the Snohomish County Vikings at Monroe High School. Mark the calendars for July 26, as the Bengals host the Kings at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner for what may be a showdown for the WWFA league title.
The Puget Sound Outlaws returned to .500 after beating the Thurston County Mayhem 21-6 at South Sound Stadium in Lacey. Along with the Northwest Cardinals (3-0) which were idle, the Tacoma area now boasts four of the top five semi-pro teams in the 10-team WWFA standings.
The Cardinals travel to Sunset Chevrolet Stadium Saturday June 21 at 6 p.m. to play the Bengals in a battle of unbeatens. Also on Saturday, the Kings host the Mayhem at Chief Leschi Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
SOUTH SOUND FC SPLITS SQUAD FOR INCREDIBLE TWO-FER WEEKEND
Friday, June 13, the South Sound Shock FC began opening-round play in the 16-team 2014 United States Adult Soccer Associations National U-23 Championship Tournament in Horshem, PA. Meanwhile, half of the team, including reserves and a few high-schoolers, prepared for a Saturday match against WestSound FC at Tacoma’s Lincoln Bowl.
After a first-round 1-1 draw with Junior Lone Star FC of Philadelphia, the Shock needed to get into the win column if it hoped to advance into Saturday’s rounds. It handed the Mass United FC North Shore Select, from Boston, MA, a 1-0 shutout and moved into the quarterfinals bracket on Saturday.
The Shock quickly took care of business Saturday morning against the Trenton Rebels FC from Bordentown, NJ, shutting out the Rebels 3-0 and moving into the semifinals.
Back home in Tacoma, the Shock were looking to maintain its first-place position in the Evergreen Premier League standings and the split-squad earned another three points with a surprising 3-0 win over WestSound FC. The victory gives South Sound (6-0-1) 19 points on the season, one more than the second-place Vancouver Victory, who has also played two more matches than the Shock.
In Pennsylvania, the Shock squared-off against ABGC Annandale United from Annandale, Virginia. The teams played to a 1-1 draw and the Shock eventually fell in a penalty shootout after two scoreless overtime periods. Annandale would go on to defeat the Houston Dynamo 2-1 for the U-23 national title.
SOUNDERS U-23 DRAW WITH KITSAP, DROP A TOUGH-ONE TO PORTLAND
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Sounders U-23 traveled to Bremerton Friday, June 14 for a match against their rivals, the first-place Kitsap Pumas. Christopher Wehan took an early feed from the former Stadium Tiger Jamael Cox and deposited a shot into the back of the Pumas’ net just nine minutes into the match.
The Pumas answered just before halftime, as Andy Devlin scored off of a pass from Cody Shelton in the 44th minute. Neither club would break loose, for a score in the second half and the Sounders would come away with one league point from the 1-1 draw.
Two days later, the Sounders U-23 hosted a home game of sorts at Tumwater Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 1,012. The Portland Timbers U-23 made the short drive north and the two clubs went toe-to-toe in a physical, scoreless first-half.
Portland was able to capitalize on a few Sounders miscues in the second half, and coupled with their physical play, walked away with a 3-0 victory. More importantly, the win game Portland (2-4-3) three points in the standings, closing within one-point of the fourth place Sounders U-23 (3-3-1).
The Sounders U-23 return home Friday June 20 to Sunset Chevrolet Stadum in Sumner as they host Lane United FC at 7 p.m.
LAKEWOOD SUMMERFEST TRIATHLON REGISTRATION STILL OPEN
For the area “Iron Men” and “Iron Women,” the third annual Lakewood Summerfest Triathlon is fast approaching July 12. The competition will involve a one-half mile swim starting and ending from the shore of American Lake. In the second-stage, competitors will traverse a 14-mile bike course looped through the streets of Lakewood, Steilacoom and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The third stage closes the event with a 3.1 mile run at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Participants must be 15 years or older and have a USA Triathlon membership card. One-day memberships are available for $12. For more information visit http://www.lakewoodsummerfesttriathlon.com, call Dean Burke at (253) 284-3259 or email at deanb@tacomasports.org.
SOUNDERS U-23 TOP PROSPECT FINALLY ARRIVES TO CLUB
United States U-21 National Team forward, Jordan Morris joined the Sounders U-23 on Sunday June 15 for his first PDL action of the year. Morris returns home to the Puget Sound following a stellar freshman season at Stanford University, and is seeing action immediately.
The Sounders U-23 signed Morris, one of the brightest young players in the country, this offseason. Morris just finished his freshman year at StanfordUniversity and holds caps for the United States U-20 and U-21 National Teams.
Jordan Morris burst on to the national soccer scene after scoring 27 goals in 28 matches for the Sounders Academy and being named the U-17-18 US Soccer Development Academy Player of the Year in 2013.
Sounders U-23 general manager and head coach, Darren Sawatzky said, “Jordan Morris is an exciting young player and he seems to excel at every level he gets the opportunity to play at. The U-23 team is a great place for him to continue his rise in the game during the summer months.”
Morris then went on to make 1st Team All-Pac 12 as a freshman and earn call-ups to the United States youth national team.
RAINIERS UNVEIL NEW ‘R’ YARD SEATING IN LEFT FIELD
The Tacoma Rainiers will officially introduce “R” Yard – an all-new party deck area located beyond Cheney Stadium’s left field wall – to fans prior to the start of tonight’s 6 p.m. series opener against Colorado Springs.
The first-ever outfield viewing experience offered in the 55-year history of Cheney Stadium, “R” Yard serves as the largest structural addition to the ballpark since undergoing a $30 million renovation in 2011. The 130-foot-long, 26-foot-tall deck resides atop the home and visiting team bullpens and will feature grilled concessions items presented by Ivar’s, Inc. and select craft beers available for purchase only on the new deck.
“R” Yard is designed to accommodate both large groups and fans traveling in smaller packs, allowing each visitor to Cheney the opportunity to view a game from the newest, most unique perspective in the ballpark. Parties of 50 or more can reserve one of two all-inclusive group party decks available each game, or fans can purchase an exclusive “R” Yard ticket that secures a spot on the deck. “R” Yard will also be viewing option for all season ticket holders and fans with reserved seat single-game tickets.
The Rainiers are offering a special edition ticket to introduce fans to “R” Yard during its opening homestand at Cheney Stadium. Through Tuesday, June 24, a $15 “R” Yard ticket grants participating fans priority seating inside this unique viewing area and includes fans’ first beer or soda on the deck.
Tickets to watch a game in “R” Yard or any other area of the ballpark may be purchased online at http://www.tacomarainiers.com, calling (800) 745-3000, or emailing tickets@tacomarainiers.com.