Eylander gets the call in goal tonight for Sounders FC; Tide, Pumas, Wolves in pre-season action

Chris Eylander will get the start in goal tonight for Seattle Sounders FC as they try to move past Chivas USA in the MLS Western Conference table. Andrew Winner of MLSnet.com has the details here. You can read our match preview here. Don Ruiz of the Tacoma News Tribune remembers Chivas USA head coach Preki's Tacoma Stars years here.

Want to see the match at a local pub? Here are some places showing the match.

Eylander played three seasons with the USL Sounders 2006-2008. (Jenni Conner)

Eylander will be making his first start and appearance in a Major League Soccer match. The University of Washington graduate was in goal for the Sounders when they won the 2007 USL Championship. Eylander is coming off of a recent injury that has limited his practice time and hampered his ability to scramble in the box. Chris was the starting 'keeper in 2008 when that version of the Sounders shut out Chivas USA 2-0 in a US Open Cup match.

The Kitsap Pumas will take the pitch in an official capacity for the first time tonight as they host the Tacoma Stars at 7:00 PM at North Kitsap High School in a pre-season friendly. The match is a fundraiser for NK Youth Soccer. Today's Kitsap Sun has a bit more on the match.

Yesterday Kitsap continued their string of player announcements by noting the signing of Kitsap kid Zach Sampson.

Sampson, a widely heralded youth soccer player for Washington state’s Crossfire Premier club, was the first player to sign up for the Pumas’ open tryouts this past February. 

“I’m so excited,” said the youngster. “I’ve wanted this for a long time.”

“This is a special young man,” said head coach John Wedge at yesterday’s contract signing. “I asked to have my picture taken today with Zach. I’ve got pictures of myself with Kevin Keeghan and Ruud Gullit. Now someday I’ll be able to say that I was there when Zach Sampson signedis first contract.”

Sampson is also a highly recruited college football kicker having received scholarship offers from several of the nation’s most prominent college football programs. This signing, according to NCAA rules, will not affect his collegiate eligibility, should he choose to participate at that level. 

Tacoma Tide FC are traveling to Portland today for a big test, a pre-season match against professional club Portland Timbers of the USL-1. The Tide will be sending some 'pool players' to Kitsap to help the Tacoma Stars against the Pumas, and will be using some guest players to have a fighting chance in Portland.

Tacoma are expected to suit up former MLS player and USL Sounder Nik Besagno, along with Tacoma native and indoor MVP Greg Howes, against the Timbers. Former USL Sounder and MLS trialist Adam West will help Tacoma on defense.

On April 19th at 5:00pm Seattle Wolves Football Club will take on Seattle University at Starfire Stadium in a preseason friendly match. Due to the club’s focus on player development, the Wolves’ player pool draws from several of the top colleges and universities in the United States. Among these schools are local staples such as the University of Washington and Seattle University.

Seattle University has turned out several talented Wolves players in the past, many of who are currently active with the club. Alex Weaver’s side will field three former Redhawks in Sunday’s match—Alex Chursky, John Fishbaugher, and Jason Cascio. The contest will become the third friendly match-up between the Wolves and the Redhawks.

Sunday’s match is the first of two preseason friendly matches the Wolves will play to prepare for their inaugural Premier Development League (PDL) season within the United Soccer Leagues (USL). The Wolves will finish their preseason with a match against Seattle Pacific University on Wednesday April 22nd at Interbay Stadium.