GUNNERS ANNOUNCE 2014 SCHEDULE

The newly rebranded Puget Sound Gunners FC will kick off its inaugural season in Issaquah with a May 17 home match against the Portland Timbers U-23.

The Gunners will host its first home game 1 p.m. May 17 at Mount Si High School (8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E., Snoqualmie), squaring off against the Timbers, a Major League Soccer developmental club. The team will play its next six home games at scenic Issaquah High School (700 Second Ave. S.E., Issaquah).

“We’re excited to play at Mount Si stadium for the home opener against Portland Timbers U-23,” Gunners’ owner/assistant coach Alex Silva said. “This will allow us to expand and build the support from the local community in North Bend and surrounding areas. The Issaquah stadium will be our home for the rest of the season.”

The Gunners are in the eight-team Northwest Division of the Premier Development League, the highest level of amateur soccer in the United States. Last year, the Gunners played as the North Sound SeaWolves, before the team partnered with the Issaquah Soccer Club and moved operations from Edmonds to Issaquah.

“We look forward to providing the Eastside community with high quality games and an entertaining environment for all families,” Silva said. “We’ve got some great partnerships with the city, business and youth organizations this year. We'll fill out the seats, and fans are going to have a great time at our games.”

After its initial match, the Gunners will hit the road for three consecutive games before returning home June 4 to play the Kitsap Pumas at 7 p.m. In all, the Gunners will host one home game in May, four in June and two in July.

The Gunners will wrap up its home schedule with a special Independence Day match with the Seattle Sounders U-23 at 3 p.m. The last home game is against the Victoria Highlanders at 7 p.m. July 11.

The team, led by head coach Jimmy Ball, features athletes from across the Northwest region and beyond, including graduates from local high schools such as Newport, Sammamish, Lake Washington, Federal Way, Marysville Pilchuck and Issaquah.

Players from the University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Western Washington University, Harvard University and more will suit up for the Gunners.

“This will allow fans to witness a standard of college players live and in the flesh,” Gunners general manager Gwynne Williams said. “The players they are watching are currently college players who are aspiring to go on to be professional players

Single-game tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Anyone younger than seven gets in free. Season ticket packages range from $120 to $60, and include admission to all home games for both the Puget Sound Gunners FC and the ISC Gunners of the Women’s Premier Soccer League. Fans can purchase tickets at the gate on game day, or online at http://bit.ly/GunnersFCTix.