Last week the Sounders announced that they had added a U23 PDL side to its ever-growing youth development set up. They joined forces with the Tacoma Tide, which has been in the PDL Northwest Division since 2006, and rebranded the team as Sounders FC U-23.
This team will join the Sounders FC Academy alongside boys U-15/16 and U-17/18. The idea of the affiliation is to allow the Sounders academy players to develop further and to bring the gap between the academy teams and the first team closer.
“The Sounders FC affiliation will allow the U-23 PDL team greater access to top local soccer talent as well as the best college players across the United States” said Lane Smith, co-owner of Sounders FC U-23.
The team will be based in Pierce County, and coached by Darren Sawatzky, who had a successful time as a MLS player, USL assistant coach and Director of the Sounders Youth Development Program.
“Coaching the Sounders FC U-23s is an exciting opportunity for me,” said Sawatzky. “It will be great to watch these players grow and compete at this level and chase the dream of playing at the top level”
With this development, it brings about great opportunity for those players that need a little more time before making an appearance in Rave Green, at CenturyLink Field. Great potential could flourish and bring more talent to the, already highly talented, Sounders first team, which will be a boost for the whole team.
Though I am not expecting an immediate impact from the U-23 side, it will be great to see the gaps between the first team and its youth teams, getting ever closer. Seattle’s U23’s first game will be in May 2012.
(image courtesy of soundersfc.com)
