3/24/2015
For Immediate Release
Sounders U23 finish tryout weekend with a few gems for the 2015 season
The Sounders U23 team ran tryouts this past weekend and for the fourth consecutive year, the process yielded some prospects for the 2015 season. On a rainy weekend at Sunset Stadium in Sumner, over 130 players arrived to ply their trade and work to earn a spot in the short Sounders U23 pre-season. An amateur team playing in the Premier Development League (PDL), the Sounders U23 start their season on May 24th after the players arrive from college in May.
“The tryout process is always interesting because we find players that come from different backgrounds,” explained Jason Prenovost, Sounders U23 Assistant Coach, “After what Zev did last year, we are excited to see what the players from the tryouts will do this year.” Zev Taublieb signed a professional contract with the Sacramento Republic FC of USL after earning a spot with the Sounders U23 in 2014 through the open tryout process.
Players from as far away as Hawaii, New Mexico, and Nashville littered the field this past weekend and the top 25 players earned the right to play in a game on Sunday after the Saturday small sided games. Trevor Freeman from Chaminade University in Hawaii (pictured) earned his way into the Sunday game and eventually earned the opportunity to join camp when it opens in May.
“We take great pride in running a professional tryout process giving each player the best opportunity to chase the dream. I think our tryout process was successful again this year and the format is perfect for players looking for a launch pad to the professional game,” finished Lance Larson, Sounders U23 Director of Game Day Operations and Security.
Tickets for the 2015 season are available at www.soundersu23.com with the first home pre-season game on May 17th at Sunset Stadium versus South Sound FC.
(Photo credit: Chris Coulter)
Sounders U23/Sounders Women
The Sounders U23 and Sounders Women teams are owned and operated by owners Lane Smith, Cliff McElroy, and Mike Jennings.
The Sounders U23 play in the Northwest Division of the Premier Development League (PDL) and the Sounders Women play in the W-League which is the first and longest-standing women’s soccer league in North America. Featuring current college age amateur players with former international and professional stars, both the PDL and the W-League provide elite amateurs the opportunity to compete while maintaining their eligibility as college student-athletes. Both the PDL and the W-League are recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans throughout North America. The Sounders U23 team is the direct PDL affiliate to the Sounders FC first team and USL S2 team.
Sounders U23/Sounders Women VP/GM: Darren Sawatzky (Darrens@SoundersU23.com)
