Highlanders Face Sounders U-23 in Friday Night Clash at Centennial

Photo: Gord Rufh

VICTORIA, BC - Victoria Highlanders FC (1-4-0) host MLS affiliated Seattle Sounders U-23 (1-2-0) in Week 5 of the Premier Development League (PDL) regular season, June 1 (6:35 PM PST KO) at the University of Victoria’s (UVic) Centennial Stadium.

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Following a major two game homestand, Highlanders host a strong Sounders U-23 side at Centennial Stadium Friday night. The match will be streamed online through the Highlanders Official YouTube channel.

VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS FC
Highlanders enter this game following an entertaining two game homestand. The team found their scoring touch this past weekend, netting three goals.

The Victoria squad is coming off an action packed derby match on Sunday versus rivals TSS FC Rovers, losing 3-2.

Standout players throughout the weekend included Victoria legend Cam Hundal and Cory Bent. Hundal scored the opening goal for the Highlanders on Sunday evening. Winger Cory Bent headlined the weekend, scoring two goals including the Highlanders opening goal of the 2018 season.

“We are moving forward with a positive outlook for our next game,” commented head coach Thomas Niendorf. “We trust our capabilities and want to be better in our overall play. Every team in our division is strong and from what we have experienced so far, any team can beat any team on any given day. We need to be able to turn those one goal games into our favour.”

SEATTLE SOUNDERS U-23
Sounders U-23 opened up their season away in Oregon versus Lane United FC. They grabbed all three points with a 3-1 win.

The Seattle team then hosted both TSS FC Rovers and Lane United FC this past weekend in their Home Opener at Sunset Stadium in Sumner, Washington. Seattle took a 2-0 lead before a resilient TSS side led by Matteo Polisi came back to equalize in the final minutes of play.

Lane United traveled to Washington with the aim to rebound from their Home Opener loss versus Sounders U-23. Lane were able to hold Seattle to their second tie of the weekend finishing the match tied at one a piece.

Sounders U-23 travel to UVic’s Centennial Stadium Friday night needing three points to put pressure on the top of the table.
 

2017 SEASON SERIES
In a three game series, Seattle came away with the advantage. Seattle travelled to Centennial Stadium on May 26th, winning 1-0 with a goal registered by Adam Jones.

Highlanders traveled to Sumner, Washington July 7, losing out in their second match by a score of 4-1 at Sunset Stadium. Seattle’s goals were scored by Edward Na, Troy Peterson, Derek Johnson, and Ryan Schaefer. Victoria’s goal was scored by Owen Pearce.

In the final match of the season and the third contest between these two on July 14, Highlanders came out victors winning 2-1. A double from Patrick Nelson sealed the victory with a single goal registered by Seattle’s Edward Na.

Tickets are available for Friday’s clash against Sounders U-23 at Centennial Stadium at www.highlandersfc.ca/tickets. For more information, please visit www.highlandersfc.ca.

MATCH DETAILS
2018 PDL Regular Season – Week 5
Centennial Stadium – University of Victoria
June 1, 2018 – 6:35 pm PST
WATCH: Highlanders YouTube Channel

About Victoria Highlanders FC
Behind the scenes, the Highlanders organization has undergone a complete overhaul since the 2017 PDL season. A new ownership group, new logo and an unprecedented number of local partners have come together to put the club back on the sporting map. The changes are a positive step for the club, who will be aiming to rise to the top of Victoria’s sporting scene with fresh game-day activations and professional structure.

Last season the Highlanders competed in the Premier Development League (PDL). Developing a path for aspiring professional soccer players to reach the highest level. Notable players such as Brett Levis (Whitecaps FC), Jamar Dixon (Ottawa Fury), and Matt Polster (Chicago Fire) are just a few of the notable alumni that have come through Victoria’s ranks.

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