Vancouver Victory opens season at Yakima

Vancouver Victory FC men’s amateur soccer team kicks off the second season of Evergreen Premier League play by visiting Yakima United on Sunday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Marquette Stadium.

The Victory went 2-1 in preseason, losing to the Oregon State Beavers 2-1 and capping the preparation with a 5-1 win over PDL club Lane United.

“For our guys to come out and control that (Lane United) match start to finish showed the progress the group has made,” Victory coach Aaron Lewis said.

Evergreen High School graduate Timur Zhivdze scored three times in preseason, Alex Nimo scored twice and six players registered preseason goals for the Victory.

The club has been training twice a week in addition to the matches. There are still 30 players on the Victory player list, 18 of whom will make the trip to Yakima.

The Victory visits the Olympic Force on May 2 before playing its home opener on May 10. Five of the Victory’s seven league home matches come in June and July.