goalWA.net in Bellingham: Photos and video of soccer and the city

It was my first overnight trip to Bellingham, ever…and I came away with a very good impression of both the city and Bellingham United FC. See photos and video from my journey to catch the Kitsap Pumas at the newbie Hammers.

by David Falk, with match report by Kyle Elliot

A weekend in Bellingham turned out to be two days of sun, soccer, good food, quirky neighborhoods and tulip fields.

The Kitsap Pumas played Bellingham United FC to a 1:1 draw on Saturday April 14 at Orca Field on the campus of Whatcom Community College. The match showed that the Hammers aim to compete with whomever they play in their inaugural season.

United will call Civic Stadium home in 2012. (David Falk)

The town of Bellingham also made a favorable impression. A blend of old-world dock town and new-age college mecca, the city has much to offer for those who might stop by to see the Hammers as they embark on their Pacific Coast Soccer League season.

A great breakfast at The Daisy Cafe downtown, and ending post-match with a burger and shake at the jam-packed Boomers Drive-in…all in bright sun…made the trip memorable for more than just good soccer.

See a gallery of Pumas-Hammers match photos at Facebook.com/goalWA

A Whatcom CC crowd of nearly 300 watched the Pumas and Hammers battle in an unadvertised pre-season match on April 14. (Jenni Conner)

Match report from Bellingham United FC:

Bellingham United took on the USL-PDL 2011 champions, the Kitsap Pumas on Saturday April 14th. There were about 250 fans in attendance to watch the two teams battle to a 1-1 draw.

Even though Bellingham United FC is a new team this year, there is a history between the two clubs.

The Pumas field an indoor team in the same league as the WSA Rapids. The Rapids won the Northwest Division championship over the Kitsap Pumas down in Bremerton just over a month ago. Bellingham United FC head coach Lance Calloway knew the teams would be familiar.

“I was really pleased with our guys tonight,” Calloway said. “Kitsap is a good team. We played very fast and technical and had a really good second half.”

The team would have a great second half as Brendan Quilici would score the teams only goal and bring the teams level.

Kitsap scored in the first half on a sloppy ball in the box. The teams continued to fight and the game went from end to end. BUFC would never find the back of the net and the team looked tired.

Momentum shifted in the second half as United started to keep their shape and caught a break as they were fouled right outside the box.

Quilici put himself in the right place at the right time and slotted the ball home.
“I saw the defender drop off during the free kick,” Quilici said. “I was open so I shot it. I was just trying to put it on frame so if it was stopped by the keeper we could have a chance for the rebound.”

The rebound would be unnecessary as Quilici would score the goal.

The teams continued to fight it out, but the end result would be a 1-1 draw.

United will play its final preseason match in Redmond next Saturday against Crossfire Premier before starting their 2012 PCSL season.

More information can be found at www.Bellinghamunited.com.

Kyle Johnson scored the Pumas' goal. (David Falk)

Sehome Arboretum tunnel. (David Falk)

Mt. Vernon Daffodils. (David Falk)

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