The Victoria Highlanders head coach was only too happy to be interrupted to talk about club play 鈥� particularly regarding his club.
The Highlanders (8-1-4) have a playoff berth assured in the United Soccer League Premier Development League and can finish no worse than second place in the Northwest Division.
The division crown seems a safe bet.
Second-place Portland Timbers Under-23 (6-3-2) are eight points adrift of Victoria. To finish first, Portland will have to win-out for the full nine points in its remaining three games, including Saturday when Portland is at Royal Athletic Park in the Highlanders season-concluding fixture.
Victoria could have clinched first place with at least four points in its weekend road trip, but managed only two with a 2-2 tie Saturday against Washington Crossfire in Redmond and 1-1 deadlock Sunday against the Sounders U-23 in Seattle.
Victoria, which trailed 2-0 in Redmond the night before, fell behind Sunday in Seattle after Mauricio Diaz De Leon put the Sounders U-23 ahead at 29 minutes. Substitute Gavin Barrett, on an assist from Brett Levis, brought Victoria level at 68 minutes.
鈥淚t was not an easy game,鈥� said Simonson.
鈥淪ounders U-23 is a very good team, and brought a lot of intensity and physicality, with some U.S. [U-20 and U-23] national team guys and players brought in from around the country. Our players adjusted well.鈥�
CORNER KICKS: The Peninsula Co-op Highlanders (10-1-2) swept to their ninth consecutive victory in Pacific Coast League women鈥檚 soccer with a 3-2 victory Sunday over the host North Shore Eagles on two goals by Jackie Harrison, including one on a penalty kick, and one from Shannon Elder.
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