It will only be the eighth match in the history of the Kitsap Pumas but already the club are hoping to get some glory behind them. It's the kind of glory that comes when you knock off a higher-level opponent in US Open Cup play. If the Pumas can knock off the USL-1 Portland Timbers tonight at Memorial Stadium in Bremerton it will be a dramatic upset, and will bring glory to the new club.
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Kitsap's Tony Kerr looks forward to the 'big game.'
In their league, the Premier Development League (PDL) of the United Soccer Leagues, the Pumas are undefeated after seven matches with five wins and two draws. The First Division Portland Timbers are sitting on only one loss after playing nine league matches. It will be a match between two on-form sides.
Kitsap edged Portland's Under 23 club 1-0 in Bremerton last Saturday night. The match gave Portland assistant coach Jim Rilatt a chance to scout the Pumas. He told the Kitsap Sun "I think there is more emphasis on U.S. Open Cup for our organization this year. The Open Cup keeps people excited throughout the summer if you are still playing."
Pumas head coach John Wedge goes on record in the Sun article as saying the Pumas will play to win and not 'pack the box' and sit back defensively.
Kitsap's midfield rock Tony Kerr is well aware of the comparison between the US Open Cup and the English FA Cup. The Englander looks for ward to the challenge. “It reminds of the FA Cup in England. Year after year Premiership teams are drawn against lower league teams and quite often you see shock results in competitive games. Pro Soccer is Pro Soccer and, even though it’s MLS 2011 v PDL, it’s still eleven versus eleven," Kerr told Prost Amerika Soccer. "We as a team feel like the draw is reward for all our hard work and it gives us a great stage to show what we can do. The fans also deserve a big game and hopefully they’ll come out in high numbers to support the underdog."
The Pumas, who are averaging just under 1,100 fans per home league match, are hoping for double that crowd for tonight's Cup battle.
Prost Amerika Soccer also weighs in today with this: Hearts are fluttering and excitement is mounting on the Kitsap Peninsula this morning as the big day arrives. The phrase biggest day in the history of the club is often overused but on this day, it couldn’t be truer. In only their 8th game in the 9th month of their existence, the Kitsap Pumas welcome USL side Portland Timbers in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Ben Pecora, Executive Director, told us, “We are anticipating a big crowd and a big atmosphere. Word coming in from all the youth clubs, both in Portland and Seattle.
More on the Cup: Our Best / Only Soccer Tradition
Learn more about the Pumas at www.GOALKitsap.com
TONIGHT
Bremerton Memorial Stadium, 7:00 PM
Portland Timbers at Kitsap Pumas
US Open Cup First Round Match
Tickets: $10-$7 Available online here
Comments
Go Timbers!
I wonder if they are bringing their ARMY?
I can't believe the Timbers got beat out by an amateur team last year, that's gotta' hurt.
An army of 30 or so is on the way from Portland
Dang! I hope the Pumas fans can muster up at least 30 ultras. It's a matter of pride.
Hey, remember the Portland Pride? I liked that team.
The 'ultras' are young but enthusiastic in Bremerton. If the Tacoma boys travel over again, Kitsap's 'section' will be bigger than PDX's.
Vans and car loads of PDX fans are on their way up right now!!!
Use twitter search RCTID to follow
LET'S GO PUMAS!
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