*Previews, quotes and match facts scroll down
“Oly Minutes” with Coach Bird
What are you most excited to see this Sunday May 14th?
“I’m excited to get our season underway and start competing. Our group has come together nicely in the short time we’ve had, and we understand like all clubs at this level that you’re a work in progress basically all season. What we need to do is continue our progression in meaningful, competitive games, and we get our first chance at that on Sunday.“
How does the NW Division look in the USL2?
“Looking at all the players signed by the all the clubs in the Northwest, it should be a competitive summer. It’s hard to know exactly what each team will look like until you get out on the field and start playing, so these first few weeks will be interesting as everybody integrates their various players and look to get off the ground running.“
What can folks expect for players on the pitch in the first game this Sunday?
“We have a good mix of older players who want to keep taking steps forward in their careers and compete for a professional contract, and we’re excited to get to be on that journey with them this year. At the same time, our contingent of college players are also hungry to prove themselves and improve individually this summer so they can go back to their schools and compete for starting positions this fall.“
General Match Notes
Oly Town kicks off the 2023 season after posting a 3-7-2 Record in their first year of USL League Two in 2022. Oly Town had a busy offseason with the signing of a completely new coaching staff and many new names to the player pool which include multiple international players and several division one soccer players.
Ballard FC and Capital Atletico (formerly U23 Portland Timbers) graced the top of the table in 2022 and are considered by USL to be the top contenders from the west. Oly Town has the chance to take the first place spot as they open NW division play with PDX FC this Sunday at 1PM.
ThurstonTalk.com Players to Watch
Desmond Wade | Forward | Belize International
Pavel Valchev | Defender | Bulgarian International
Cooper Brunell | Midfield | University of Washington
Chris Peretti | Forward | University of Washington
Richy Lapointe-Guevara | Defender | Central Arkansas
Jack Sluys | Defender | Fordham University
“Oly Minutes” with Coach Wells
What are you excited to see in Oly’s inaugural W League Match?
“The atmosphere in Olympia has to be the part I am most excited about for the first game. I believe we will have the best home field advantages in the Northwest division of the W League and the players are going to respond to the support.“
How does the NW Division shape up for USL W League in its first year expansion?
“Our region has the chance to be one of the stronger regions in the country. It’s going to be exciting for our players to have great competition to play themselves against and bring a high level of soccer for those watching.“
USL W League Match Notes
Sunday May 14th marks the first ever USL women’s match for Oly Town FC and the state of Washington. The NW division is in its first year expansion and includes Lane United of Eugene, OR, Capital Atletica of Salem, OR, United PDX of Portland, OR and PDX FC also from Portland.
The women’s side of Oly Town which features a new coaching staff and new player pool for the USL W League won the NWPL Championship in 2022 with a win over new USL W League rival Capital Atletica in a shootout. The Artesian women’s soccer program has only existed since 2021 but has made considerable progress since inception by moving into the USL national soccer market.
The women’s team has numerous player signings that have intermittent availability throughout the season. The W League is played in between college seasons and most college players are out of school starting end of May and some end of June.
ThurstonTalk.com Players to Watch
Ava Uribe | Forward | Penn State & USA Youth Nat’l Team
Sydney Stephens | Midfield | Univ of Illinois
Keeley Dockter | Defender | University of Portland
Shu Ohba | Keeper | Japan Nat’l Team & Ole Miss Transfer
Shaelan Murison | Forward | UC Santa Barbara
Suzuka Yosue | Forward | Arizona State Univ Transfer
Who Oly Town FC vs PDX FC Supporters "The 1896" vs "Blackhearts Union" Where South Sound Stadium | 4201 6th Ave NE Lacey, WA 98506 When 100PM USL League Two | 330PM USL W League Weather Sunny, 83 Degrees (windy.com) Tickets Kid's 12 & Under Free, General Admission $12, Doubleheader Pass $20, Season Tickets $60 Tailgating & Re-Entry Stamps for folks to tailgate and/or leave the doubleheader & come back! Photo Booth by Pop & Drop | Mother's Day Flowers | Kid's Zone with Inflatable Soccer Field Match Sponsor Nicole's Bar Off Legion! Food Mi Pueblo (Mexican Food), Kona Ice (Shaved Ice), Dancing Goats Coffee (Iced & Hot Coffee) Talent Mother/Daughter duo from Shelton, WA Ripley & Crystal will be singing the National Anthem! Youth Club Chinqually Booters & TC United will be ball kid's and walk out teams in pre-game! Livestream $3 Broadcast | Play by Play by John McGlamery click here for virtual tickets
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