Ruffneck Cup: Fans say Kitsap Pumas-Sounders U23s will be biggest rivals

Fans voting in a poll posted on the new Sounders U23s Facebook page have overwhelmingly picked the Kitsap Pumas as the new PDL Rave Green’s biggest rival.

The choice might surprise those who think the Timbers are always the Sounders’ top antagonists…

Before there was a Sounders U23s, and before there was a Ruffneck Cup, the Kitsap Pumas and Tacoma Tide FC played for what was called the “Narrows Bridge Bell.” The Pumas won every Bell, 2009, 2010 and 2011. However it was likely the Kitsap Pumas’ performance overall in 2011 that put them at the top of the voting to be the Sounders U23s biggest rival.

The Pumas won the local derby, but they also went on to win the PDL National Title. Along the way the club also advanced to play the Major League Soccer Sounders in the US Open Cup. The battle at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila ended with Seattle edging the West Sound side 2:1.

Now the Pumas will see the Sounders U23s (likely made up of many former Sounders Academy players) three times in 2012, two of those in Bremerton.

May 19: Sounders U23s at Kitsap Pumas

June 15: Kitsap Pumas at Sounders U23s

July 6: Sounders U23s at Kitsap Pumas

(The Pumas play at Bremerton Memorial Stadium. The Sounders U23s have yet to announce their 2012 home venue.)

Puget Sound soccer fans are ignoring the long Seattle-Portland soccer rivalry and saying via the poll that Sounders-Timbers might be tops in MLS rivalries, but in the local PDL scene, its going to be Sounders-Pumas.

As of this post date the poll read:

Who is going to be the Sounders U23s biggest rival?

Kitsap Pumas-37

Timbers U23′s-21

North Sound SeaWolves-1

Vancouver Whitecaps U23′s-0

Washington Crossfire-0

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