Derek Johnson lead the Sounders U23’s to the Western Conference title and a birth in the PDL Final Four in 2015. Here Johnson battles against a familiar nemesis in the Kitsap Pumas. The U23’s hope to continue their South Sound winning tradition in 2016. Photo by Denise McCooey
5/2/2016
For immediate release
Sounders U23 to face Outbreak FC from USASA and the SoCal Premier League
Tukwila, Wash.- US Soccer has announced the pairings for the first round in the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The Sounders U23 will face Outbreak FC from USASA and the SoCal Premier League. The game will take place on May 11th at Panther Stadium at Bonney Lake high school at 7:30pm.
“The Open Cup is another opportunity to give young aspiring players competition to develop and be seen by higher level coaches and teams,” Sounders U23 Head Coach and General Manager Darren Sawatzky explains, “Our initiative at Sounders U23 is to help players move up to the professional ranks and this competition gives us a different and exciting chance to showcase these young players, but no one enters a competition to lose.”
The Sounders U23 last played in the Open Cup in 2013 after winning the Northwest Division of the PDL and becoming the Western Conference Champions in 2012. The team won the first round game then moved on to face the Charlotte Eagles of the USL at the time. The Sounders U23 lost the game 2-1 in the waning moments after a long journey across the United States to play the game. The Sounders U23 are the 2015 PDL Western Conference Champions and will look to add to the trophy case in 2016.
Flex tickets can be found at www.soundersu23.com for the match and for all home matches for the Sounders U23 in 2016. Flex tickets can be purchased and work for all home games for Sounders U23.
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 WPSL. Featuring current college age amateur players with former international and professional stars, both the PDL and the WPSL provide elite amateurs the opportunity to compete while maintaining their eligibility as college student-athletes. Both the PDL and the WPSL 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.
