2018 Super Cup
What: Men’s, women’s adult soccer matches, Sequim vs. Port Angeles
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Where: Civic Field, Port Angeles
Admission: $5 suggested donation
More info: www.facebook.com/olypensupercupsoccer
The Olympic Peninsula adult soccer community is back in action and geared up to bring the fourth-annual Super Cup Soccer Derby to Port Angeles’ Civic Field on Saturday, Sept. 1, showcasing the best of Sequim and Port Angeles adult soccer players.
This year, both men and women will take to the field for the “beautiful game” looking to best their rival city.
All community members and soccer lovers are encouraged to join in at Civic Field to cheer on their favorite hometown team.
Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Attendees can expect food served up by 7 Cedars Casino, local craft beer, a kids zone sponsored by Sequim Youth Soccer and family friendly activities throughout the night.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. The women’s game kicks off at 5 p.m. and the men will start at 7 p.m.
Super Cup background
This homegrown event, started in 2014 by former Port Angeles Adult Soccer League Director Tim Tucker and former Sequim Adult League Soccer director Quincy Byrne, draws in numerous high school alumni home to participate as well as local soccer “legends.”
“We created the Super Cup based on what is known in England as a ‘Derby’ pitting two cross town rivals against each other,” Tucker said. “The Super Cup is what you get when you mix soccer, fun, and a friendly bit of cross community camaraderie.”
Each year civic leaders join the fun by staging an official bet in favor of their hometown team. This year, Sequim Deputy Mayor Candace Pratt and Port Angeles Deputy Mayor Kate Dexter have stepped up in favor of their respective city for the women’s game. Sequim Chamber President Shenna Younger and Port Angeles Chamber Executive Director Marc Abshire will take the lead for the men’s game.
The loser of each bet has agreed to attend the winner’s monthly meeting, dressed in the winner’s colors to officially present the winning team’s trophy.
“The bet could go either way as both towns have taken away a win in previous years,” Tucker said. “With the addition of women to the town competition this year, it is anyone’s guess as to which city will walk away the victor. Who knows? Maybe they both will.”
Women join the Cup, Sequim strong in 2017
Last year’s Super Cup marked the first year of local women showcasing their soccer talent by hosting a friendly match. This year the women will join in the derby style competition, with players from Sequim and Port Angeles squaring off on the Civic Field pitch.
“After last year’s friendly, I’m beyond excited to see the development of the Women’s Super Cup match,” Marti Martinez, 2018 Super Cup Committee Chair, said. “The local women’s soccer talent in Port Angeles and Sequim continues to flourish and grow.”
On the men’s side, the Port Angeles team will look to overcome their loss from 2017 after a tightly fought game that ended in a 1 -1 tie with Sequim coming out the victor in a shootout.
“We hope that Sequim FC comes out to play us straight up this year as opposed to parking the bus and waiting for penalty kicks,” said Kanyon Anderson, who in 2017 coached the Port Angeles squad but will take to the field as a player this year.
“On the Sequim side, we were prepared for a friendly match and were initially caught off guard by the unsporting competitiveness of the Port Angeles team,” Sequim coach Dave Brasher said.
“When I realized their true nature, I changed tactics at halftime. We then came back to tie the game despite being short-handed due to a red-card and easily won the game on penalty kicks.”
Tucker added, “It seems the perspective shifts depending on which side of the field you are sitting on and that is the beauty of the Super Cup. In addition to some friendly hometown chiding, you can expect a fabulous event with fun for the whole family.”
Funding the future
All proceeds collected from the $5 suggested donation at the gate will go towards supporting aspiring young soccer athletes. The winning town for each game will be awarded proceeds to donate to a college-bound soccer player of their choosing.
Two hometown high school students will be awarded during the Annual Scholarship Night in May.
In 2017, two $500 scholarships were awarded to Sequim college-bound high school seniors: Nickolas Janikic and Grace Tolberd.
The scholarship award amount is dependent upon the amount raised each year at the Super Cup event.
The Super Cup is getting support from a number of local organizations and businesses, including: City of Sequim, City of Port Angeles, Full Spectrum Landscape Co., Holistic Horticulture and Landscaping, High Energy Metals, Jose’s Famous Salsa, Port Angeles Lefties, OSP Sling, Peninsula College, Port Angeles Youth Soccer, Sequim Youth Soccer, Sequim FC, Storm King Soccer Club, 7 Cedars Casino and Windermere Real Estate.
For up to date information and current rosters, visit the Super Cup Soccer Derby Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olypensupercupsoccer.
