(Sounders U23 release) The Sounders U23 team traveled to Victoria, British Columbia to take on the Victoria Highlanders on Friday, May 26th. The team turned right around and hosted the TSS Rovers after the travel weekend on Sunday, May 28th. The results favored the young men in green with the Sounders U23 taking six points from the two weekend games.

After a beautiful drive and ferry ride into Victoria Island, the Sounders U23 played the Victoria Highlanders at the University of Victoria on Friday night. The Highlanders were sitting at 1-0 after dispatching Lane United in their home opener the week prior by a score of 4-1. The game started quickly when Sounders U23 central defender, Sam Jones, headed a corner from Adam Jones at the Highlander net. The ball just missed crossing the line. The Highlanders returned with a direct game putting the Sounders U23 under pressure and forcing goalkeeper Cam Frost to be honest on set pieces.

The two teams entered half time knotted at 0-0 in the physical game. With the start of the second half, the Sounders U23 started to pepper the Highlander net with both Jones and Macca King ringing shots off the cross bar. Finally, in the last ten minutes of regulation time, Derek Johnson got down the line and crossed the ball to an onrushing Will Bagrou who put the ball into the net but the goal was ruled offside. With more attempts at goal, Conner Antley broke through after a Johnson pass and found Jones at the top of the 18-yard box. Jones hammered a shot that deflected off a Highlander defender and rolled into the Highlander net. The final score would remain 1-0 with the Sounders U23 taking the win.

A quick trip back to Seattle with a second weekend game on tap, the Sounders U23 faced the newest addition to the PDL NW Division, the TSS Rovers. The game started at 5pm at Starfire Stadium following an S2 tie to Sacramento Republic. The game started with the Sounders U23 in charge and creating chances. Captain Trevor Jensen finally finished off a great ball played in from Derek Johnson to take the game into half time at 1-0 Sounders U23.

The second half saw more Sounders U23 fireworks and TSS goalkeeper, Andrew Hicks, was busy denying the Sounders U23 attackers goal scoring opportunities. After a corner from Adam Jones, Sergio Rivas attempted a shot on target and Cory Keitz helped the ball on. Nathan Aune finished off the play to take the game to 2-0 for Sounders U23. Rivas wouldn’t be denied on the day after a clever dribbling display from second half substitute, Stian Sandbekkhaug. Sandbekkhaug dribbled into the left side of the field, cut the ball back and slotted Rivas who hammered home goal number three for the Sounders U23 team. The game would end 3-0 in favor of Sounders U23.

After a short week of training, the Sounders U23 will head to Lane United to play Friday, June 2nd then return to play Portland Timbers U23 on Sunday, June 4th at North Thurston high school in the annual game hosted by Black Hills FC.

Sounders U23 tickets and information can be found at www.soundersu23.com.