Seattle Stars FC compete well in friendly against Kitsap Pumas

BREMERTON, WA—(report from KitsapPumas.com) A new look Kitsap Pumas side overcame a spirited Seattle Stars by a single goal under the Gordon Field lights on Saturday March 14

Jeff Halstead shot photos of the match and David Falk captured some video of the action.

Former FC Portland player Austin Rogers started in goal for the blue and whites and was protected by a defensive four of George Bundy (right), latest signing Matthew Eronemo (center), returning captain Cory Keitz (center) and 2013 Puma Brandon Scott (left). Justin Ortinau and Trevor Jensen were partnered at central midfield and were flanked by Graham Davidson (left) and trialist Dawda Dibba (right). Ashkanov Apollon made his debut at forward alongside another trialist, Ethiopian internationalist Abdul Aman.

Despite not having a single training session prior to the match, it was the Pumas who started on front foot. A series of quick passing combinations nearly unlocked the Stars defense after only ninety seconds but the final pass just got away from Aman. The 167 fans who made it out didn’t have long to wait for the first goal to arrive. In four minutes, Ashkanov Apollon’s lightening speed allowed him to ghost past three defenders before applying a calm finish past the stranded Seattle goalkeeper.

The Pumas continued to enjoy the majority of possession however some fine defending from Seattle coupled with some rustiness from the men in royal blue meant chances were limited. As the half wore on, Seattle grew in confidence and began to create chances of their own. On 22 minutes Buba Jammeh, who was impressive throughout, found room to venture down the left hand side and swung in a cross that caused confusion in the Pumas box before the ball eventually dropped just by a relived Rogers right hand post.

University of Fraser Valley player Elijah Sampson and returning Puma Michael Chamberlain were introduced midway through the first half for Dawda Dibba and Abdul Aman.

On 33 minutes, the dangerous Apollon was hauled down on the edge of the box. From the resultant free kick, Justin Ortinau curled an effort over the wall that was well saved by Scott Barnum in the Stars goal.

A succession of Stars corners towards the end of the half came to nothing and the sides went in to the break separated by Apollon’s early strike.

Pumas Head Coach Cameron MacDonald was clearly experimenting with the line-up, making numerous changes for the second half. 2013 Puma Zac Sampson and University of Fraser Valley defender Zach Hanson replaced Cory Keitz and George Bundy in the back line. Former Bellingham United player Rene Caro came in at defensive midfield for Ortinau while Poulsbo lad Ismael DeLuna and the third UFV player Connor MacMillan replaced Sampson and Davidson in the wide areas. These personnel changes also seen the Pumas switch from the traditional 4-4-2 system to a more modern 4-2-3-1 set-up.

The Stars came out fired up for the second half and began to take a hold of the game. After a period of play in midfield, in the 61st minute a Seattle midfielder sprung Julian Bravo free on the edge of the Pumas box. The lively midfielder produced a neat cutback to evade a defender, then curled a magnificent effort beyond the outstretched reach of Rogers to tie the game up.

That goal seemed to be the catalyst the Pumas needed to get back into top gear. Good work in the middle of the park from MacMillan and Caro helped feed an exciting Apollon/Chamberlain partnership. As the game wore on, the Pumas pushed for a winner without creating much in the way of clear cut chances.

On 73 minutes, Apollon tested Barnum with a left footed free kick before the Stars countered and had a shot blazed over the bar.

MacDonald introduced academy player Logan Beachy to the game on 75 minutes with the 17 year old replacing Aman on the left side. The youngster was immediately thrust in to the action and combined well with MacMillan to free Chamberlain in the box, but the former Concordia University star could only fire his shot high over the crossbar.

The Pumas pressed hard to find the second goal and there persistence eventually paid off in the 86th minute. Eronemo fed Apollon who slipped MacMillan in the right hand side of the box and the midfielders cutback was thrashed into the goal by Chamberlain.

Seattle threw men forward in the final few minutes to try and salvage a draw but despite a few nervous moments, the Pumas held on to claim there first win of 2015.

This contest only served to strengthen the belief that the Pacific Northwest is awash with talented adult soccer players. As both teams gear up for exciting seasons; The Pumas aiming to clinch a second PDL National Championship and the Stars looking to conquer the Evergreen Premier League, both coaches will have taken a lot from this exercise.

Pumas Head Coach Cameron MacDonald was pleased with the efforts of his players; “Considering we haven’t yet gotten these guys on the training field, for them to put in a shift like that was heartening. We knew coming in to this the Stars would be a good test, and we can take plenty of positives from that display. There are still guys trying to earn contracts and its fantastic to be able to watch them in a game environment.”