Ray Saari is back with S2 for the 2018 USL season, who kick off their campaign against T2 (photo credit: Gerrit te Hennepe)
Sounders 2 kick off their 4th season in the USL on Friday when they host Timbers 2. They start with a new city, a new coaching staff! In order to remain compliant with the USL’s Division 2 status the Sounders moved their second team to Tacoma in a partnership with the Tacoma Raniers. The Raniers have taken over the business operations of Sounders 2. The Sounders, in return, supply the players and coaching staff. This season is a dry run for the club’s eventual move to a soccer-specific stadium in Tacoma.
Long time S2 coach Ezra Hendrickson has left to join Sigi Cshmid in Los Angles. The new coach is A- league veteran John Hutchinson assisted by former Sounders Wade Webber and Josh Ford along with player- coach David Estrada. On the playing side the Sounders return 12 players. Most notably newly minted team captain Ray Saari and USYNT under 20 Invitee Sam Rodgers. The young academy signings Azriel Gonzalez, and their youngest signing ever, 15 year old Ray Serrano. A nice mix of young yet experienced players. For Portland they are a great unknown. They cannot help but be better after last year’s terrible season. They start the season with a new coach Cameron Knowles and the best player on last years team with Vilyan Bijev moving to Sacramento. The first Cascadia matchup of the season kicks off at 7:00 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.
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