Knock, knock. Who’s there? Not the Kitsap Pumas. In a season which already defies belief, the latest snafu for the Premier Arena Soccer League Northwest Conference came on Monday night when the Kitsap Pumas announced they would not be playing in the NW Finals this coming Saturday at the Tacoma Galaxy in a match posted earlier on the league website. Fans, players and opponents immediately began a social media free-for-all speculation on why the Pumas were dropping out. No one seems to believe the rational that it is injuries.

The real truth is closer to the notion that Kitsap owner Robin Waite is tiring of the indoor sport, but especially of the politics of the PASL. Some of that comes out in the club release posted below:

The Kitsap Pumas’ indoor season ended without a chance at a national title.

Owner Robin Waite said the team would not play against Tacoma due to not having enough players available via injury or prior commitments.

“Four of the players are coaching in tournaments that they can’t miss that we did not know about beforehand,” he said. ”Two of our players also suffered injuries from the match against Yamhill. The indoor playoffs are also conflicting for our first team agenda as well, which takes priority.”

He said he was disappointed that they could not host the match as well.

“We had the best record.” he said. “We had the most total points and we had the biggest goal differential. We are happy to finish the season with a win and knowing that we had the most wins of the season.”

Interim indoor head coach Matt Friesen was also frustrated and unsatisfied that they could not compete for a title.

“It’s unfortunate that we are unable to play the game,” he said. “I have talked to all the boys and to say they are disappointed would be an understatement. They all worked hard throughout the season and made large commitments working towards a goal. We came very close to achieving step one of our goal which was winning the league and head to Chicago. They all wanted the chance to prove their ability against Tacoma and I liked our chances in that game.

“Lastly I feel bad for the fans who supported us throughout the season. This would’ve been one of the more tightly contested matchups of the season and fittingly so for a final. I think everyone loses here.”

Now the Pumas can concentrate on their increasingly lucrative youth academy and the upcoming outdoor season while at the same time stiffing the PASL for not awarding them the home match and making sure they won’t incur travel expenses to nationals in Chicago.



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