The unbeaten Kitsap Pumas, 2-0 in league play and 4-0 overall, will play their home United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League opener on Friday at Bremerton Memorial Stadium. It promises to be a fun night. The new video board will be fired up and the end zone seats will be in place, creating a soccer-friendly environment at the stadium.
I’m profiling owner Robin Waite for Friday’s print and online editions. Hopefully, you’ll learn something about the man who’s brought professonal soccer to the region. Writer Jeff Graham will be writing about defender Kyle Johnson, a Bremerton High grad who played his college soccer at the University of Puget Sound.
Friday’s opponent, the Tacoma Tide, opens its season Wednesday against the Seattle Wolves. Here’s a story that appeared in the Tacoma News Tribune about the Tide. The Pumas and Tide are playing for the Narrows Bridge Bell this season.
The Pumas (2-0-0) have put themselves in a position to earn a spot in the U.S. Open Cup — the same tournament the Seattle Sounders are one win away from qualifying for. The top teams in the PDL’s eight divisions after four regular-season matches will earn a spot in the Open Cup. So there’s a lot on the line for the Pumas as they try to nab that berth intheir inaugural season. Here’s how they determine who gets in the 64-team field of what is a true national championship competition. It’s open to all pro and amateur soccer clubs in the United States and is patterned after domestic cup tournaments played in countries around the world.
Here’s the current PDL standings.
Pumas tickets are available at www.kitsapsoccerclub.com, www.brownpapertickets.com and at the Kitsap Soccer Club office at (360) 377-6008. of course, you can also buy tickets at the gate. Pumas’ gear was scheduled to be available this week, too.
