Highlanders Travel To Sumner, Washington To Take On Sounders U23

(Photo Credit: John Richardson)

VICTORIA, BC - Victoria Highlanders FC (6-4-1) take to the road this weekend as they travel to Sumner, Washington to take on Seattle Sounders U23 (5-3-3) in Week 10 of the USL League Two regular season, July 7th (2:00 PM PST KO) at Sumner High School.

WATCH LIVE  / STANDINGS

The Highlanders hit the road for a matinee matchup against Seattle on Sunday. The Sounders are coming off impressive 3-1 wins against Lane United FC and Vancouver TSS FC Rovers. Meanwhile, Victoria is coming off a 3-2 loss against the Rovers on Friday night.


VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS FC
With only three games left to play, the Highlanders are looking to keep the playoff hunt alive. Victoria sits in third place in the Northwest Division with a one-point lead over the fourth place Sounders.

The Highlanders are coming off a tough 3-2 loss to Vancouver TSS FC Rovers last night. Shun Takano opened the scoring off a penalty in the 7th minute, but three unanswered first half goals from the Rovers was the difference as they walked away with the 3-2 win. Daniel Davidson picked up the other goal for Victoria.

“We felt good coming into this game, knowing how we wanted to play, but the game did not go that way. The Rovers fought for it and came away with the win,” stated Highlanders head coach Thomas Niendorf. “They pushed everything forward, it didn’t even feel like they played defense at times as they threw everything and everyone at the net. Give the Rovers credit, they took advantage of their opportunities and we came up short. We knew this stretch run wouldn’t be easy and the boys know what needs to be done to be successful. Our focus now is on Seattle and making sure we take advantage of the opportunities we earn as a team.”

Through eleven games the Highlanders have received goals from Ntignee (4), Victory Shumbusho (2), Sean Young, Joshua Walter, Connor Guilherme, Daniel Davidson (3), Takano (3) and Shojaei (2), with Shumbusho leading in assists with four and shots with 19. The Highlanders have received clean sheets from both Trevor Schneider and Simon Norgrove (2).

Seattle Sounders U23

Last weekend saw Seattle host Vancouver TSS FC Rovers. The Rovers may have scored first, a goal courtesy Elie Gindo, but second half goals from Joshua Bauer, Pablo De Castro, and O’Vonte Mullings, helped the Sounders walk away with a 3-1 win, their second win by such a score in a row.

Pablo De Castro leads the Sounders in scoring with six goals on the season, while Arthur Herpreck and O’Vonte Mullings are tied for second place on the team with three goals apiece. Nicolas Campuzano leads the way between the sticks as the full-time starter.

2019 Season Series

The Highlanders and Sounders have only played each other once this season when the Sounders traveled to Centennial Stadium on Sunday, May 26th. Victoria walked away with the 2-1 win.

Arthur Herpreck scored the opening goal of the game in the 27th minute. Joshua Walter responded with a brilliant free kick—which ended up being named USL League Two Goal of the Week—just two minutes later. Connor Guilherme added his first of the season in the 45th minute. The Highlanders and Simon Norgrove shut the door and held on for the 2-1 win.

“Seattle has been in fantastic form as of late. They are right in the running for the Northwest Division title,” added Niendorf. “They’re unbeaten in their last five games and have been climbing the table. They’re were a tough test when we played them earlier in the season and they will be tomorrow as well. The boys are ready to bounce back and get back on track. We will be ready and focused for the task ahead of us.”

 

MATCH DETAILS
2019 USL League Two Regular Season – Week 10
Sumner High School – Sumner, Washington
July 5th, 2019 – 2:00pm PST
WATCH: Seattle Sounders U23 Official MyCujoo.tv

About Victoria Highlanders FC

The Highlanders compete in the United Soccer Leagues League Two (USL League Two). Developing a path for aspiring professional soccer players to reach the highest level. Notable former players include Brett Levis (Whitecaps FC), Callum Montgomery (FC Dallas), Peter Schaale (Halifax Wanderes), Ryan McCurdy and Nolan Wirth (Pacific FC), Joshua Heard (Real Monarchs), Jamar Dixon (Ottawa Fury), and Matt Polster (Glasgow Rangers). All are notable alumni that have come through Victoria’s ranks.