Sounders FC U-23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
TACOMA, Wash. – The Sounders U-23 will continue their pursuit of Premier Development League postseason play this weekend with a pair of late season matches. On Thursday night they will travel to Edmonds Woodway High School to take on the North Sound SeaWolves FC at 4 p.m. Then on Sunday afternoon the Sounders return to Sunset Stadium in Sumner where they will host the Victoria Highlanders FC at 2 p.m. in their final home match of the regular season.
The PDL Northwest Division’s top three teams will move on to participate in the playoffs. The top finisher will automatically represent the Northwest Division in the PDL Western Conference Championships, while teams placing second and third will face each other in a one-game playoff to determine who will advance with the first-place side.
The Sounders U-23 (4-4-2, 14 pts.) are coming off a 3-3 draw with the Washington Crossfire, and currently sit just outside of the playoff picture in fourth place. The team in third place with 17 points is the Vancouver Whitecaps U-23. However, the Whitecaps (5-4-2) have played one more match, so a win will put the Sounders in a tie for third on points.
Their first shot at three points will come on Thursday against the North Sound SeaWolves. The SeaWolves (1-7-2, 5 pts.) have struggled in their 2013 campaign, and currently sit at the bottom of the Northwest Division standings. However, in their previous matchup with the SeaWolves, the Sounders U-23 managed only a 1-0 victory, and even conceded a penalty that was missed off the bar.
Then on Sunday, the Sounders U-23 will host the division’s current leaders, the Victoria Highlanders FC. The Highlanders (8-1-2, 26 pts.) have all but wrapped up this year’s Northwest Division regular season race. They defeated the current second-place side, the Portland Timbers U-23s, 2-0 last Sunday to extend their division lead to six points.
Though unlikely, it is mathematically possible for the Sounders U-23s to tie Victoria for the league title by winning their final four matches and Victoria losing their final three. More likely, however, is the Sounders U-23 catching either the Whitecaps or Timbers U-23s for a shot at the one-game playoff. Regardless, a win against the division leader would be a huge three points, and certainly increase their chances at postseason play.
Six big points are up for grabs this holiday weekend as the Sounders U-23 start their stretch run of the 2013 season. For more information, including ticket information for the Sounders U-23’s final home match on Sunday, visit SoundersU23.com.