PDL playoff race reaches final stretch with four clubs fighting for three spots

July 2, 9:58 AMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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Puma v. Timber.

In the short 16-match Premier Development League (PDL) soccer season the end seems to come just as the action and playoff races are heating up. Most of the playoff-contending clubs in the Northwest Division are in the final quarter of their seasons and we can now look at the matches they have left and handicap the race.

Kitsap Pumas (32 points, 4 matches left)

at Portland Timbers U-23's July 4

Abbotsford Mariners July 11

at Victoria Highlanders July 17

at Tacoma Tide FC July 19

The Pumas are seven points ahead of the Timbers U-23's after equal matches played. This Saturday's match in Portland is a must-win for the Timbers to have a shot at winning the division. A Kitsap victory would put the Pumas close to clinching the top spot. A draw would also be a good result for the Pumas. Kitsap hosts Abbotsford in their last home match before taking to the road for matches at Victoria and Tacoma in the final weekend. These are tough places for visitors to play. Kitsap will need to maintain their focus and hunger to get results. The Pumas are considered the favorites to win the division crown and get a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Portland Timbers U-23's (25 points, 4 matches left)

Kitsap Pumas July 4

at Spokane Spiders July 10

at Yakima Reds July 11

Abbotsford Mariners July 18

Other than this Saturday's match against Kitsap the U-23's have what looks to be an 'easy' schedule with bottom feeders Spokane, Yakima and Abbotsford. Winning away is never a given, but the Timbers have some hope that if they can beat the Pumas they could rack up some more points after that. At the very least the schedule favors Portland to finish in the top three and make the playoffs.

Seattle Wolves FC (23 points, 4 matches left)

Victoria July 3

at Victoria July 5

at Cascade July 11

Abbotsford July 17

The Wolves need to win Friday's home match against Victoria or their task to make the playoffs will be all the harder. If Seattle can get 4 or 6 points from Victoria this weekend then they'll boost their chances. The July 11 match against Cascade in Salem Oregon is looming large.

Cascade Surge (22 points, 5 matches left)

at Abbotsford July 3

at Vancouver July 5

Seattle July 11

Tacoma July 15

at Yakima July 18

The extra match in hand over the Wolves and Timbers gives the Surge a bit of an edge down the stretch. The July 11 match against Seattle at home is also favorable. If the Surge can get 4 or 6 points this weekend in Canada, then they'll be favorites to finish in the top three ahead of Seattle.