PORT ORCHARD, WA—Port Orchard Football Club training sessions begin May 2 as the men’s semi-pro soccer club prepares to compete in a new-look Cascadia Premier League (CPL1) First Division.
A recent internal email from the CPL revealed that in 2025 the First Division will feature 8 clubs divided into 4 each in the “Rainier” and “Baker” divisions. Port Orchard FC’s opponents in the Rainier Division are Eastside FC (Preston), Washington Premier FC Legends (Puyallup) and Bigfoot Football Club (Maple Valley) USL2 Second Team. The Baker Division features Crossfire Premier (Redmond), Seattle Celtic, Sharktopus FC (Seattle) and Midlakes United (Bellevue) USL2 Second Team.
The CPL further detailed that the top 2 teams in each division will advance to the playoffs which will once again be held at Washington Premier Field Complex in Puyallup on July 25 and 27.
New Foes For POFC
Port Orchard FC are sure to see at least 2 new teams in 2025. The club have never played WPFC Legends before. The Legends earned promotion into the First Division by winning the CPL2 in 2024. POFC will play home and away against them this season. Bigfoot FC are a brand new club in Maple Valley whose top team will play in the USL2. Their second team in the CPL1 will play home and away against Port Orchard.
Crossover matches could provide further new foes for POFC. The CPL1 will have two matches for each club (home, away) with opponents from the other division. This means it is possible that Port Orchard might see Seattle Celtic or Midlakes United 2 for the first time ever. Also in play for crossover foes are the two sides POFC met in last year’s playoffs: Crossfire Premier and Sharktopus FC.
Eastside Stays, Tacoma Drops
Port Orchard will face Eastside FC again in 2025 in a home and away series. However, the instant rivalry with the Tacoma Stars Reserves is a thing of the past as that club has decided not to field a team in 2025. Sporting International are also out.
Next Stop: Season Schedule
The CPL has asked its clubs to submit preferred dates for 2025 home matches. POFC General Manager Sam Ironside was ready to go with plans already requested for use of Kitsap Bank Stadium.
POFC will open the year Sunday May 25 at 5 PM in the annual match against Steel United.
This ‘friendly’ versus a CPL Second Division power will be followed by (at least) 4 other home matches. Due to player availability, Port Orchard will split home matches between Saturdays and Sundays this year. Further, ALL matches at Kitsap Bank Stadium will kick off at 5 PM to allow the main stand to accommodate shaded seating.
POFC hopes to start posting finalized match dates on the schedule page soon.
Training Begins May 2
POFC players will gather for the first training session on Friday May 2 at Klahowya High School Stadium. This season Port Orchard will train on multiple fields, also including Bremerton High’s Memorial Stadium, Central Kitsap High’s Integrity Roofing Stadium, and Kitsap Bank Stadium at SKHS.
Two Important Recent Signings
Port Orchard FC got stronger in the middle and on defense as the club recently announced the signings of Calvin Moe (Bainbridge Island) and Hunter Milbrot (Silverdale.)
You can check out all the names in the ever-growing POFC 2025 Player Pool here.