View from the Pali, Volume 17: The Northwest Expedition
Jacob Tudela's Los Angeles Blues had a difficult journey ahead of them as they made the trip to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Victoria Highlanders, Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders.
A wild encounter with the Highlanders on Wednesday, June 22 at Bear Mountain Stadium resulted in a 3-2 victory for Pali.
In spite of a brace from Victoria's Liz Hansen, Pali relied on a balanced scoring attack to get the job done. Tiffany McCarty scored in the fifth minute off a delivery from Jessica Price, Christie Shaner equalized in the 72nd minute thanks to Danielle Hubka and Rachel Quon's feed to Shawna Gordon in the 77th minute of play proved to be the game-winner.
"I just think we’re getting better every game, and getting to know what we want as a team," Quon told BluesSoccerClub.com. "Jacob wants us to be a possession-oriented team and I think each game, we’ve been doing that. We’re getting better in the final third also and I think we can only go up.
"I’ve heard that Vancouver has a great fan base, so that will get there team really pumped up and we should also show up to play. You’re always there to win, so I think that’s just our goal. If we get three wins out of that week, it would be great."
Unfortunately for Quon, that would not happen, as the Blues were shut out by Vancouver for their first loss of the season, a 1-0 defeat at Newton Athletic Park on Friday, June 24. Jenna Richardson scored for the Caps in the 19th minute of play.
Pali were looking to get back on the winning trail when they traveled to the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila to take on the Seattle Sounders.
This would turn out to be a goal festival, bar none. The match ended in a 3-3 draw.
Pali continue their season on Thursday, July 2 with a match against the Colorado Force at Palisades High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.
The Blues will then wrap up their home campaign against the Colorado Rush. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, July 2 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET.
