Local bands CD "Sound of Soccer" now online

Novatone have 2 songs on the CD.

"The Sound of Soccer Volume One" is now online exclusively at www.GOALSeattle.com. You can see some band videos and download the CD here.

The CD is a mix of Seattle sounds, from rock to pop to modern rock and even some lo-fi and light industrial. The idea is a 'mash-up' of the sounds coming off the streets of Seattle mixing it up with the wave of soccer madness that flows around us all year long.

Thanks to all of the bands!


Say Hi to Your Mom performs "Zero to Love."

Tide face Ogden Outlaws tonight at 7:00 PM

Tide celebrate a goal against Cascade on May 11th.
(Jenni Conner)

Tacoma Tide FC pick up the race for Northwest Division supremacy tonight as they host the Ogden Outlaws at 7:00 PM at Viking Field at Curtis High School in University Place.

Youth players wearing jerseys can get in for just $1. Fans will get free megaphones in tonight's featured give-away.

The Tide remain with a glimmer of hope to get into the US Open Cup, but they need to win both tonight and tomorrow night at home against powerhouse BYU.

Daniel Scott joins the Tide for his first home match as the new central defender. Scott is a graduate of Gonzaga and his brother Zach is a long-time defender for the Seattle Sounders.

Tacoma have not lost at home since 2006. Last year the Tide went undefeated at University Place, and Tacoma won their first home match of 2008 over Cascade 4-0 on May 11th.

See highlights of that match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Xgu_BAw24

Viking Cup Faces Uncertain Future

Today marks the 24th running of the Viking Cup, one of the state's oldest soccer tournaments.

From the Kitsap Sun.

Tournament organizers have been tossing around ideas to celebrate next year's silver anniversary. Ideas have included bringing teams from Norway to the Scandinavian-themed town.

Because of changes from the state's governing body of club soccer, there's a chance there will be no anniversary to celebrate. Or, the tournament could be moved from its customary Memorial Day weekend slot.

The Washington Youth Soccer Association mandates that tryouts can't happen until after the state cup tournaments. This year, the state cup ended in March, but next year, it'll won't end until May, which gives precious little time for teams to organize and play in the Viking Cup.

"It's put a bit of a crimp in the tournament," said Aaron Vernick, president of the North Kitsap soccer club.

See also: www.VikingCup.org

Tide host Utah clubs this weekend, $1 tix for youth

Daniel Scott, right, now plays for TFC.

Tacoma Tide FC hosts the Utah clubs this weekend, and it is $1 night for youth players wearing jerseys.

Friday at 7:00 PM at Curtis High School TFC will face the Ogden Outlaws. Fans will get a free megaphone as part of the festivities.

Saturday night at 7:00 PM the Tide will host the top team in the division, the BYU Cougars. Fans coming that night will get a free pennant.

More details here (pdf file).

Come see the new Tide center back Daniel Scott, from Gonzaga. He's the brother of Sounders player Zach Scott. Daniel will be playing his first home matches with the Tide this weekend as Tacoma tries to continue its home winning streak which dates back to 2006.

Kingston rallies around soccer match

The Kitsap Sun reports...

We think we can treat, not only our fans, but out-of-towns fans, to a good event," he said. "We've got a ton of help at our school and a ton of community spirit."

That's the key to this whole story, said Smith, a longtime soccer coach who has made stops at North Kitsap, Port Townsend and Chimacum before taking the Kingston job.

Varsity baseball coach Scott McKay, whose team is also in the state playoffs, got a portable scoreboard from the middle school. It will be powered with a generator. Jana Kramberger from the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, a member of the school's booster club, is driving her Winnebago-type vehicle to the field and turning it into a concessions stand.

"Erik Bjornson was climbing up his Thriftway reader board, putting up the time and cost of the game so locals would know about it," Smith said. "Some of my players probably found out at lunchtime from that."

Smith said another booster is bringing in a flatbed trailer to move small bleachers and sani-cans from the baseball and softball fields.

"It's small town Americana coming together in the last minute to make it happen for our kids who earned the chance to play a state game at home," he said. "(It's) a really good feeling when parents and shop keepers come together so quickly."

Tacoma a stop on "Ruffneck Nation" tour

A Tide fan wears a new scarf, next to "Surf Dude," the splashy TFC mascot.

RuffneckWear.com is visiting many of their friends around the country on a "Ruffneck Nation" tour. The scarfmakers stopped in Tacoma on May 11th to watch the Tide unplug the Surge of Cascade 4-0.

You can get your Yellow and Blue Tacoma Tide FC scarf at the next home match May 23rd. They are $20 each or you can get one for free when you buy a Tide season ticket. There are still 8 matches left to play at home in the 2009 Premier Development League season. Father's Day is just around the corner. Why not scarf your "Dad?"

Soccer fans around the world know that the scarf is the trademark way to support your club and show other sports fans how much you love the game. Now South Sound has their own club and you should get on board with them and hold your Yellow high!

Follow the Ruffneck Nation tour from their blog as they hold'em high around the country.

Tide rout Surge for first win

Ruben Orozco puts Tacoma ahead with a 37th minute penalty kick despite the diving efforts of Cascade's goalkeeper.
(Jenni Conner with the great photo.)

Rory Agu is about to score his second goal of the match for TFC.

(Jenni Conner, full match galleries linked here soon.)

Jenni's photo gallery now online!

Tacoma Tide FC rebounded from their 5-2 loss Friday in Spokane to pound the Cascade Surge from Salem Oregon 4-0 on Mother's Day at Curtis High School in University Place, Tacoma.

The Tide got goals from Ruben Orozco, Spencer Schomaker and a pair from Rory Agu to build the rout.

The score was 0-0 near the end of the first half when Cascade was called for a hand ball in the penalty area. Ruben Orozco of St. Martin's College converted the kick.

Spencer Schomaker (Syracuse University) made it 2-0 with a rebound in the 62nd minute. Rory Agu of Tacoma scored the goal of the match on a breakaway in the 79th. It was the only goal I didn't catch on the video. Agu powered the ball home on a line from about 5 yards away. Agu completed his brace later with a persistent tap in during a goal-mouth scramble in the 86th.

Sunny and windy for the home opener as Tide fans show off their new TFC scarves.
(David Falk)

The Tide had moved their home opener to Mother's Day at 1:00 PM so as to not conflict with the Seattle Sounders home opener. The switch made the crowd size quite small. Fans who did attend received magnet schedules and got to meet "Surf Dude," the new Tacoma mascot, in person. Season ticket holders picked up their scarves, which are also now available to all Tide fans.

Tacoma moves to 1-1 on the new season. The Tide next play Saturday May 17th at Yakima. The next Tide home match is Friday May 23rd against the Ogden Outlaws. Match Stats

Tide fall flat in road opener

#12 Beau Macaluso, seen here last year against the Sounders, scored TFC's second goal against Spokane.
(Jenni Conner)

Tacoma Tide FC took the pitch at Greyhound Park in Post Falls, Idaho, and then promptly hit the turf in a 5-2 drubbing at the feet of the Spokane Spiders.

The club website has some of the grim details. Rory Agu and Beau Macaluso scored the goals for Tacoma.

TFC hope to rebound Sunday at 1:00 PM when they play their home opener against Cascade Surge at Curtis High School field.

Today's Tacoma News Tribune has a feature on the 2008 Tide.

I have a small rant posted over on the www.GOALTacoma.com forums. Really, when are the Tide going to practice sooner, and against *other* opposition before the season starts? Both Yakima and Spokane were able to get their squads together and do so.

Wolves advance to face Bellarmine

Nico de la Cruz had both assists as SK advanced over Olympia.
(David Falk)

The South Kitsap Wolves advanced in the Narrows League playoffs with a 2-0 win over the Olympia Bears on Saturday May 3rd at Mt. Tahoma High School.

Sophomore Nico de la Cruz assisted on both goals.

The Wolves scored early and then used solid defense to advance to the Narrows League final. Taylor Cryder gave SK the lead a mere 4 minutes in. Brent Ricigilano made it 2-0 in the 17th.

South will play undefeated Bellarmine Prep to decide the 1/2 seeds doing into Districts. The match will be back at Mt. Tahoma on Tuesday night May 6 at 7:00 PM.

Meet the 2008 Tacoma Tide

Tacoma native Rory Agu scored 7 goals for TFC last season. He returns in 2008.
(Jenni Conner)

Tacoma Tide Football Club kick off their 2008 season May 9th in Spokane against the Spiders. Owner / General Manager Mike Jennings recently revealed the nucleus of returning and new players that will try to lead Tacoma to another playoff spot in the Northwest Division.

Click player links to learn more about the 2008 Tide.

Says Jennings, "Returning up top we have Rory Agu, Spencer Schomacher, Beau Macaluso. In midfield, Machael David, Raphael Cox, Ruben Orozco, Chase Tangney, Mutanda Kwesele. In the back, Mark Lee, Taylor Hoss, Brayton Knapp, Steve Mohn (returning from a broken leg last season). In goal, Jordan Jennings. Promising newcomers are Taylor Mueller (def. from UW), Dennis Sanchez (def/mid from San Diego State), Daniel Phelps (mid from UW), Dustin Allbery (def. from SU),Tucker Maxwell (def. St Martins), Dan Fadida (mid from Savannah College) and GK Chris Blais (Univ of Michigan). There are a few others that will be at training hoping to catch on."

Certainly a roster capable of doing well. A nice blend of South Sound talent and Puget Sound college stars who have stayed local or gone to schools around the country. Interesting to see that TFC will have its first Brit this season, Dan Fadida, who hails from Saltash, England.

With the graduation of Ciaran O'Brien to Major League Soccer it will be up to Agu, Schomaker, Macaluso and David to account for the goals (7) the Tide got from the MLSer in 2007.

Tacoma Tide FC look to rise in 2008

Mike Jennings has the ball rolling for TFC. (Jenni Conner)

www.GOALTacoma.com has an exclusive interview with Tacoma Tide FC owner / GM Mike Jennings as the club gets ready for its third season in the PDL. Jennings also discusses the future of pro and semi-pro soccer in the South Sound:

"There is a window of opportunity here, with the Seattle USL - 1 sun setting, to build, I think, a natural connection between the two leagues (MLS /USL). Perhaps, the Seattle Sounders and The Tacoma Tide can create a template for other organizations to follow. I believe the Tacoma / Olympia area is just right in proximity to the Sounders training area at Starfire and population dense enough to run a reserve side in the USL -1.

There are opportunities to house more players, give them better games than the current MLS reserve schedule, saving on staffing, and opportunities to cross promote and extend the influence of the clubs."

You can read the entire interview HERE.

Wolves win, clinch district berth

Justin Moore on the attack for SK.

Moore (inside goal, far right) has just knocked in SK's first score.
photos by David Falk

The SK Wolves shut out rivals Gig Harbor 2-0 on April 30th at Joe Knowles Field to advance to the district playoffs.

The Wolves will continue in the Narrows playoffs to determine seedings.

Read a match recap HERE.

See an exclusive www.GOALKitsap.com gallery of over 80 photos HERE.

Good job Wolves!