Sounders FC U23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
TACOMA, Wash. – The Sounders FC U23 return home to Tacoma tonight for a showdown with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 at 6 p.m. at Cheney Stadium. Before the match, fans will be able to meet and get autographs from players who play for the Sounders Women, including U.S. National Team star, Megan Rapinoe.
The Sounders U23 and Vancouver Whitecaps find each other separated by just one point in the PDL Northwest Division standings with the Sounders U23 in third place with eight points and the Whitecaps U-23 in fourth with seven. Tonight’s match will be the second meeting between the two sides this season. The first was the season opener, played May 11, which resulted in a 2-1 Sounders U23 win.
It will be the third match in six days for the Sounders U23, having played the Victoria Highlanders FC on Friday night to a 0-0 draw at Franklin Pierce HS, and then traveling to Abbotsford, B.C. for a 2-1 win against the Fraser Valley Mariners FC on Sunday afternoon.
The Sounders U23 defense will have to try and keep the Vancouver forwards off the scoresheet as the Whitecaps FC U-23 have an impressive 10 goals scored in their first five games played to only five goals against. Vancouver’s leading goal scorer is forward Long Tan with three goals.
On the offensive end of the field the Sounders U23 will need to cash in on goal scoring opportunities having put 18 shots on goal with only two of them finding the net in their last two matches. The Sounders U23 leading goal-scorer with three goals is midfielder Fernando Monge. He will look to hook up with his targets up front, forwards Jameal Cox, Darwin Jones and Sean Okoli, who have one goal between them through five games this season.
Cheney Stadium will be buzzing as the Sounders U23 are the first soccer team to take the field there in more than 35 years. Tickets for the match may be purchased at the gate or at SoundersU23.com.