Player development has been the priority for Sounders FC 2 since its inception last October, but the opportunity to play for more silverware isn’t a bad bonus.
U.S. Soccer announced earlier today that S2 will play its first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match on May 20 against the winner of the May 13 First Round game between NPSL’s FC Tacoma 253 and the PDL’s Kitsap Pumas.
“The Open Cup represents an opportunity for our young professional and Academy players to compete in one of the most prestigious competitions in U.S. soccer,” said S2 General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz. “We're excited to join the historic tournament, and believe this will be a great opportunity to get our young players even more meaningful competitive minutes.”
S2 joins Sounders FC in the quest for the domestic title, an honor the First Team has achieved four times in the last six years. According to a U.S. Soccer release, the tournament champion receives $250,000, a berth in the 2016-2017 CONCACAF Champions’ League, while the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will earn a $15,000 cash prize.
