PORT ORCHARD, WA—Head Coach Patrick Leonard has led POFC into the playoffs for a second straight season, this time in the highest league division. The venue for Friday’s Cascadia Premier League First Division semifinal match will be very familiar for Port Orchard Football Club even though the opponent and overall circumstances offer new wrinkles.
In 2023 Port Orchard’s debut season in the Cascadia Premier League Second Division was a rush over opponents and all the way to lifting the trophy at Washington Premier Fields Complex in Puyallup. In 2024 promotion brought a new landscape and new challenges.
“An interesting road to say the least,” says Gaffer Leonard about the journey this season. “But honestly, this is an opportunity these guys have worked for and deserve. We have had some real learning experiences as a club this season, but I actually feel that has better prepared us for this playoff weekend. The boys have seen from the support all season what this club means to people in our community, we are ready for this opportunity and to hopefully make more history for this club.”
Upon reflection, the big moment for POFC’s playoff hopes was likely the 5-3 win over Sporting International on July 7 at Kitsap Bank Stadium. It was the final regular season league match the club would play and gave them 22 goals scored in the CPL. The following days would reveal the importance of the advantage as WPFC were dropped from the standings and then Tacoma Stars Reserves were awarded a 1-0 forfeit win over Sporting. It all added up to a second place finish for POFC in the Rainier Division, based on tiebreakers, and a date with Baker Division champions Crossfire.
Leonard sees the tight nature and bumpy road of the season as good preparation. “We are no strangers to adversity,” he says, “this season has been filled with it. I think that has actually prepared us for this moment. Our backs have been against the wall all season, and we have had the chance to grow from that, and see how we as a collective respond. Those experiences have prepared us for this playoff weekend in many ways.”
Many guys have contributed to the return trip to Puyallup. Only 22 could be selected for the roster though. It’s the toughest part of a coach’s job. Leonard reached out to his players individually before the club posted the selections.
“I’m really confident in the roster we are putting out this weekend. All season we have had depth and guys competing for every spot of that 22 man roster,” Pat notes. “The reality is, we have talent that exceeds 22 guys. As a result, some miss out on this moment. That is the hardest part of this season, because guys have worked towards these moments, and every player is just as much part of this weekend, whether they suit up on the day or not.”
Now it comes down to ‘stand and deliver.’ In 2023 POFC posted a 5-3 semifinal win over Bellevue Athletic and then rallied to top Nido Aguila 4-2 for the CPL2 trophy. What lies in store this time around?
Leonard is making sure his troops know what they are playing for. “I think especially for those that were here last year, we see what it means to our community and the support,” he believes. “Knowing that, how could you not give that extra bit in certain moments. I think we have seen what this weekend can do for our club and that is all the more reason to give our all here. I also think we have shown we as a club are ready for moments like this, and this is another great opportunity to do so!”
