PORT ORCHARD, WA—The clock is ticking towards the first-ever Port Orchard FC match on April 30 and the new premier men’s soccer team is ramping up training sessions ahead of the debut.
Three weeks ago a successful open tryouts weekend produced a player pool that is now practicing twice a week. Dropping in on the April 12 session (photo gallery) most of the guys invited from tryouts were on hand and battling with each other through a series of fun scrimmages, mini-matches and drills.
Players Now & Later
Port Orchard FC Head Coach Patrick Leonard and Assistant Coaches Mark Nowak and Sam Gomez are readying the side to go even as they await the arrival of more players after the season begins. High school stars like Kolby Juarez will join in early June along with a few other yet to be announced guys currently away at college. But the matches start before they arrive and the current group needs to be ready for the challenge.
Eronemo At Training
Matthew Eronemo, who played for the Kitsap Pumas and also indoors with the Oly-Pen Force, has been training with Port Orchard FC and also overseeing the fitness routine for Sam Gomez. Eronemo’s career as a Sports Performance Specialist has seen side benefits for POFC. Players Matthew works with sometimes drop in to practice, adding talent and spice to the proceedings.
On April 12 Tacoma Stars player Cory Keitz trained with POFC via Eronemo. Keitz was the captain for the Kitsap Pumas for two years before heading overseas. His appearance gave invited POFC players a chance to go up against a pro. It’s valuable experience to measure where you are at and where you need to get better.
Port Orchard Football Club will host Nido Aguila Club America Seattle of the Cascadia Premier League in a friendly at South Kitsap High School’s Ed Fisher Field on Sunday April 30 at 3 p.m. The following week the CPL2 season begins when POFC hosts Tacoma’s Steel United Washington at 3 PM at SKHS.
More: 2023 Season Schedule / Season Tickets
Official Website of Port Orchard Football Club 