Sounders FC U23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Friday, June 15, 2012
TACOMA, Wash. – First place will be on the line on Friday night when the Sounders FC U23 take on the Kitsap Pumas at Cheney Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT. The Sounders U23 are currently atop the PDL Northwest Division standings with 18 points in nine games played. The Pumas find themselves in a three-way-tie for second place with 16 points, but have played one less game.
In their previous meeting at Bremerton Memorial Stadium, the Pumas were able to defeat the Sounders U23 by a score of 3-1. However, the Sounders U23 were missing their star goalkeeper, Doug Herrick, who has been on fire since returning. In the six games since the last meeting with the Pumas, Herrick has given up only four goals. Herrick recorded four shutouts during that stretch.
The Sounders U23 have been playing excellent soccer as a whole since the last meeting with the Pumas. In the six games since, they have accumulated 14 points of a possible 18, while outscoring their opponents 11-4. The Sounders U23 are also on a three-game winning streak including victories over the Portland Timbers U23 and the Washington Crossfire, the other two teams currently tied with the Pumas for second place.
The Pumas are coming off a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers U23 last Saturday in Bremerton. The winning team would have jumped the Sounders U23 in the standings, but since each team earned only one point, the Sounders U23 jumped them both for the division lead. Be on the lookout for Pumas leading goalscorers, Ben Truax and Matt Friesen. The duo was responsible for the three goals scored by the Pumas in the first meeting with the Sounders U23.
Cheney Stadium will offer a unique setting for Friday’s big match when the teams battle each other in the outfield. It will be the second, and final, match the Sounders U23 will play at Cheney this season. For tickets visit SoundersU23.com.