I am already calling it Olympia’s sporting event of the summer and maybe one of the biggest sporting events to ever come to the Olympia area.

The Sounders U-23 will take on the Portland Timbers U-23 on June 2nd at Tumwater Stadium.  The two Cascadia rivals compete in the United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League. Tickets to the game are just $10 and can be purchased here. First kick is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

The Sounders U-23 are in their first year as an affiliate of Seattle Sounders FC. Pierce County businessmen Cliff McElroy and Lane Smith purchased the Tacoma Tide from Mike Jennings following the 2011 season, partnered with the Sounders and changed the team’s name. The team is coached by Darren Sawatzky, Seattle Sounders FC’s Director of Youth Development.

Besides the game in Tumwater against Portland, the Sounders U-23 will play five of their home games at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma – a very easily and quickly accessed stadium from the Olympia area – and two games at Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers in what will be the first soccer games at Cheney Stadium. They also have one exhibition game scheduled for April 15th against Gonzaga University at Sunset Stadium in Sumner.

Portland was the 2010 PDL national champion but finished fourth in the Northwest Division in last year.