Sounders off but it's still a Seattle soccer weekend

July 3, 6:39 AMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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Seattle Sounders FC won't hit the pitch again until next Tuesday's US Open Cup quarterfinal match against the Kansas City Wizards, but the SOUND of soccer can still be heard at Qwest Field and Starfire this weekend.

Tonight the Seattle Wolves face the Victoria Highlanders at 8:00 PM at Starfire Sports Complex in a match with playoff implications. The Wolves return the favor with a visit to Victoria on Sunday. See a match preview supplied by the Wolves below.

Qwest Field will host the USA National Team in a Gold Cup match against Grenada. Hounduras and Haiti meet in the first match of the double header. Susan Marshall is part of the publicity team for the event and she sent me an email answering the question "Why should Seattle fans care?" Writes Susan: "I’m in Seattle this weekend working the Gold Cup and with the help of the Sounders PR, I’m supposed to be getting the word out about the games. So, in a very unofficial way, I compiled a list for why Sounders fans should care about the Gold Games in Seattle. These reasons are certainly not the official stance of MLS/SUM, but they do hold some truth and maybe some of your readers would agree!"

Why should Sounders FC Fans Attend Saturday’s Gold Cup Doubleheader?

• It’s your civic duty -- What’s more patriotic than watching your national team play on the 4th of JulY?
• Support your own – Brad Evans could get his first cap for the national team on his home turf. Wouldn’t it be sweeter in front of a pro-Sounders crowd?
• Future international games, including the World Cup – The question still remains: Can Seattle support international soccer? Sure, just look at the tickets sales for the FCB and Chelsea games. But, what about supporting national team games? The Gold Cup, with its unprecedented 13 venues, is essentially a dry run for the World Cup bid committee. If Seattle doesn’t show its support now, then it might not get rewarded in 2018 or 2022.
• Stars in the Making -- Three players – Jimmy Conrad, Clint Dempsey and Oguchi Onyewu – had breakout performances in the 2005 Gold Cup and used the tournament as their springboard to the 2006 World Cup roster. Who’s going to have a breakout performance this go-round? 

I think the third point is her strongest. We've been a 'hit or miss' city for support of the Nats in recent years. However, if money is tight I don't think Seattle fans can be expected to pay to watch USA reserves against Grenada. It's not exactly 'top flight' soccer even if our Nats are involved. Further, the Honduras-Haiti match is a non-starter. If you are not from one of those two countries, how could you possibly care about that match up? If Gold Cup / Soccer United Marketing folks want to replicate Sounders crowds at Qwest Field then they are going to have to give us 'event soccer.' Just showing up with the Nats is no longer an 'event' here. The opponent and the competition matters.

It's Wolves v. Highlanders tonight at Starfire. (Club photo)

Seattle-Victoria preview by Alex Caulfield, Seattle Wolves

(TUKWILA, WA) – On Friday June 3rd at 8:00 PM the Seattle Wolves Football Club (7-3-2) will play host to the Victoria Highlanders (3-5-3) at Starfire Stadium.

On Sunday the two clubs will head north of the Canadian border to play each other once more, making this next two encounters crucial to the Premier Development League playoff picture.

Seattle is currently third in the PDL Northwest Division with 23 points, after suffering a 2-0 defeat to the first place Kitsap Pumas on Tuesday.

If Seth Spidahl’s side is to secure a postseason position, the Wolves will need to defeat their Canadian foes at least once this weekend to keep pace with Kitsap and the Portland Timbers U23.

The Timbers are second in the division with 25 points, while a resurgent Cascade Surge side is staring up at the Wolves from fourth position with 22 points.

With only the top three teams in the division eligible for the national playoffs, Seattle needs to make the most of their opportunities as only four matches remain in their inaugural PDL campaign.

Similarly, Victoria needs to claim maximum points from this weekend’s series in order to have any chance of appearing in the post season.

With 12 points in 2009, the Highlanders have packed City Centre Stadium and played well at times, but the club has been unable to string together a consistent run of form.

Managed by Colin Miller, Victoria recently thrashed the Yakima Reds 6-1 and will look to continue this momentum in Seattle on Friday evening. Both sides are renowned for their attractive brand of football, and fans are sure to enjoy this pivotal contest.

Seattle will welcome captain Daniel Scott back to the first team, as the central defender missed the Kitsap match through suspension. Scott’s efforts will be needed to stymie Victoria attacking prowess.

 Following the weekend series with the Highlanders, the Wolves head down to Salem, Oregon on July 11th to play perhaps the most important match of the season against Cascade. The outcome of the contest could very well dictate which club advances to the post season.

For tickets to Friday’s match, or to obtain further information on Seattle Wolves FC, please visit www.seattlewolvesfc.com.