MAY DAY: Stars host Force in galactic battle in Kent

KENT, WA— Light sabers are optional but everything else in the universe might come into play as Seattle Stars FC open their third Evergreen Premier League season on Sunday May 1st at French Field in Kent against the Olympic Force.

SEATTLE STARS FC v. OLYMPIC FORCE
Sunday May 1, 2016 – French Field – 6 PM
-DOUBLEHEADER- SSFC Women v. Force Women (NWPL) @3:30 PM
TICKETS: $5 Adults, kids 10-under free.

The Seattle Stars and Olympic Force are looking to take their programs to the next level in 2016. This means pushing for the top three and staying in the chase for the Evergreen Premier League title. Last year the Force began that push with a vibrant second half of the season to finish 4th in the table. The Stars have finished 7th in both of their seasons in the EPLWA.

In 2014 the Stars played WestSound FC twice. WSFC eventually became the Olympic Force in 2015. In 2014 (the first year of the EPLWA) the clubs met at Silverdale Stadium on June 8. It was an exciting match with a flourish at the end. The result went 2-1 for WestSound and became the historic first home win for the club now known as the Force. The Stars made sure that they got even next time, taking the return leg at Starfire 4-1 on July 6th.

Last year the clubs in May at Quil Ceda Stadium in Marysville. The Olympic Force got another historic ‘first’ that day – their first win in the EPLWA under the “Force” banner, 2-1. In July the clubs met again in Bremerton. It was a scorching hot day with temperatures near 115 degrees on the pitch. The Force prevailed in the swelter with a 90th-minute goal to win, 1-0. It moved Olympic into their final 4th place spot in the table.

Olympic leads the all-time series 3-1. The Force and Stars are tied at 6 goals each over the 4 matches.

Steve Cashmore takes over as the Force outdoor men’s head coach this season. He led Olympic to the indoor WISL championship final over the winter.

The match is the second in a May Day Doubleheader. The Stars Women of the Northwest Premier League (NWPL) host the Force Women at French Field in the first match at 3:30 PM.