Coming off a comeback win over Victoria that snapped a three-match losing streak, the North Sound SeaWolves will try to make it two in a row when they play host to the Portland Timbers U-23 team at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 25 at Edmonds Stadium.
Those unable to attend the match can follow along live at www.seawolvesfc.com.
Friday’s win over Victoria gave the SeaWolves (4-6) new life, putting them seven points out of the Premier Development League Northwest Division’s fourth and final playoff spot with six matches left. Portland (6-3-1) currently holds a one-point lead over Vancouver for the division’s final postseason berth.
“We’re in good shape, but this match with Portland is a huge one,” SeaWolves coach Alex Silva said. “A win over them gets us three points and keeps them from getting points. We do that and then we’re right there to get that last spot.”
The task won’t be easy, as the Timbers defeated the SeaWolves 4-1 on June 17 behind two goals from Erik Hurtado. But Silva believes a lineup adjustment made against Victoria to put more speed and ball-handlers on the field will make a difference.
The Timbers are led by forward Mark Sherrod, the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and a third-team All-American this past season at the University of Memphis, where he set a single-season school record with 19 goals. For the Timbers, Sherrod is tied for sixth in the PDL with seven goals along with three assists. Hurtado has four goals for Portland while midfielder Cameron Vickers is tied for the PDL lead with seven assists to go along with three goals. Manning the goal for the Timbers is University of Washington product Spencer Richey.
The SeaWolves generated excellent offense against Victoria on Friday, getting three goals and attacking much more smoothly than they had been. Abdul Aman continues to lead the team with five goals, Brady Ballew has three goals and three assists and Quinton Beasley has three goals. Marshall Kosaka, who led the SeaWolves in goals a year ago, finally picked up his first of the season in the Victoria win.
“The second half against Victoria was the best we’ve looked this season,” Silva said. “It showed what we’re capable of doing and was fun to see. We need to continue that for the rest of the season and we’ll be in good shape.”
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