Surge Face Top Two Teams in NW Division

Team continues Community Work and launches International Outreach this Week.

Salem-News.com

SALEM, Ore. - The Cascade Surge face the Portland Timbers U23s Saturday at Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver, (WA), then host the Kitsap Pumas on Wednesday, June 3rd. Currently the Timbers (3-1-1) and Pumas (3-0-1) are tied for the early lead in the NW Division.

"These games will give us a good test as to how competitive we are in this early part of the season," said Surge Coach Mike Alfers, who has led the Surge to a 2-2-0 record so far.

The Portland Timbers game will be the first ever between the new "in state" rivals. The Surge hasn't had an "in state" rival since the Corvallis based Firebirds, folded for the second time in 2000, while the Pumas game will be a rematch of the 3-0 loss the Surge suffered last week in Bremerton.

"We have had divisional opponents in Utah and as far away as Calgary (Canada) so it's nice to have a local rival," said Surge President Dave Irby. "With the Timbers joining MLS next season play their U23 team and some possible future MLS stars will only build more enthusiasm for our rivalry."

Kiggins Bowl is located at 800 E. 40th Street in Vancouver, WA behind Discovery Middle School.

Team Notes: The Surge are hoping team Co-Captain Grant Knight and goalkeeper Steve Reese will be back from injuries that have prevented them from playing yet this season....NAIA All-Americans Zach Patterson and Armando Rodriguez may see there first action of the season.

In the Community: The Surge continues their schools visits to Washington and Swegle Elementary Schools this week, with a theme of: "Study hard, play fair, help others."

Camps & Academy: The Surge will launch their new full day soccer camps program June 22 in Keizer with a second camp in South Salem beginning July 20 with the advanced Academy set to begin July 6 in Keizer.

International: The team will be invovled in international outreach projects in three countries this summer: Stuttgart, Germany (May 29-June 5); Vienna, Austria (June 4-11) and Tecate, Mexico (July 21-24).

Source: cascadesurge.com

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