Local youth soccer teams advance

Four teams from the Federal Way Soccer Association advanced to the championship games of the state tournament in their respective leagues this week.

The Federal Way United Storm 83, a U18 boys team, plays at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow against FC United 83 of the Tacoma Pierce County Junior Soccer Association in the Snickers Championship Cup Finals at Edmonds Stadium in Edmonds.

Coached by Ralph Black, the Storm are the defending champions in their age group and feature top players from Decatur and Federal Way high schools, which started spring practices this week for the high school season.

The Storm beat the Skagit Storm 7-1 in the quarterfinal round, then won a 2-1 shootout over Tynecastle FC of the the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association in the semi-finals to advance to Sunday’s state finals.

Also playing in a state championship game this weekend is the U16 boys team, the Federal Way United Galaxy. The Galaxy play at 1:45 p.m. today against YMCA Fiorintina of the Tacoma Pierce County Junior Soccer Association in the Fred Meyer Commissioner’s Cup Finals at Civic Stadium in Bellingham.

The two teams have played twice this season, both times to a tie.

“It won’t be a tie this time, somebody’s going to win,” said Galaxy coach Larry Withrow. “I feel good about it. We should get a good result.”

The Galaxy feature players from Decatur and Jefferson, as well as players from high schools from the surrounding areas. The team finished in the middle of the pack during its regular season, but has stepped up its level of play in the post season.

“When you get into the state tournament you can forget about all that stuff,” Withrow said. “We’re peaking at the right time.”

The Galaxy beat a team from Vancouver, Wash., 3-2 in the semi-finals to make it to today’s championship game.

Leik Withrow scored the winning goal.

The team started its season in March with 17 players, but soon the roster was down to just 14 players after some players left the team.

“It took us three months of the season to get back on track and get used to different kids having different positions,” Withrow said. “We started to gel in the middle of the season and played better soccer toward the end. We’re down to 14 players playing extremely well together. They learned their roles well.”

Two other teams from the Federal Way Soccer Association play their state championship games next weekend.

The Federal Way United Elite, a U12 girls team, plays against the Blasters of the Yakima Youth Soccer Association at 1 p.m. on March 9 at Civic Stadium in Bellingham.

Also on March 9, the Federal Way Storm 90, a boys U11 team, play the CYSF Wolves at 9 a.m. at Civic Stadium.

Look for more details about these teams in next week’s Mirror.

Sports editor Cole Cosgrove can be reached at 925-5565 or at sports@fedwaymirror.com.

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