Kitsap Pumas undergo coaching change, Andrew Chapman takes over
The Kitsap Pumas of the Premier Development League have some news from across the Sound. James Ritchie has resigned as head coach to take on the role of assistant coach for Oklahoma City Energy FC of the USL PRO.
Kitsap, in turn, promoted general manager and assistant Andrew Chapman to head coach. Cammy MacDonald will be the top assistant and PJ Stickney will also serve on the coaching staff.
“This is a big honor to be asked to coach the Pumas,” Chapman said in a news release. “(Owner) Robin Waite has tremendous faith in me and the great coaching staff we have assembled.
“Being born and raised in Bremerton, it is fantastic to be able to coach this team. We have a lot of enthusiastic people willing to help and some great ideas already in the works about how to move forward.”
Energy FC, which has signed ex-Sounder Philip Lund, is coached by recently retired Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.
“I knew Jimmy needed a coaching staff and I’m very flattered that the phone call came,” Ritchie said in a release. “I know they have massive ambitions as a club and they want to progress as a club which is massive. Everything I’ve seen with the club is gonna be phenomenal from everything I’ve seen and heard over the past few days.”
Ritchie hopes to stay involved through the transition and possibly set up a relationship between the two clubs.
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— In other local news, the Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA) has released its schedule and will be kicking off on April 26. For more on those teams like Seattle Stars FC, Yakima United FC, WestSound FC, Bellingham United FC, South Sound FC, Spokane Shadow and Wenatchee United FC, be sure to bookmark goalWA.net.
— Washington Youth Soccer has announced that Snohomish will host the 2015 US Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Presidents Cup from June 9-14 at Stocker Fields. The tournament could yield $3 million to the local economy, according to a news release.
