EPLWA Full Season Kick Off- Week 1

EPLWA Weekend Slated to Set Full Season Kick Off By Merrick Parnell

In opening-week action in the Evergreen Premier League of Washington (EPLWA) Men’s Premier Division, defending champions Yakima United began their title defense with a dominant 3-0 road win over Skagit Athletic last weekend. The rest of the league's opening matches are set to take place this weekend with a full slate of games scheduled.

Saturday, May 3

Washington East Surf FC at FC Olympia

Washington East Surf FC will open its 2025 campaign against FC Olympia on the black turf of Tenino High School. This match marks the first EPLWA appearance under the “FC Olympia” name, following the club’s rebrand from the Oly Town Artesian's earlier this year. Last season, the Artesian's finished with a 3-3 record and secured second place in the South Division.

“Washington East Surf are new to the league, but that’s an established club that we know produces talent,” said FC Olympia head coach Trevor Fetbrandt. “At the end of the day, the goal is always to defend home turf, so we will be fired up and ready to go this weekend.”

WE Surf FC also finished second in their division last year, posting a 4-2 record in the East. They reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual runners-up, the Everett Jets.

“WE Surf is excited to kick off our second season in the EPLWA this weekend in Olympia,” said WE Surf head coach Julio Morales. “Our staff has worked diligently to assemble a competitive roster, blending new talent with a few familiar faces from last year. As with any new season and fresh squad, we’re approaching it with cautious optimism, ready to embrace the challenges that each match will bring.”

Both teams will battle under the Saturday night lights in a compelling East vs. West matchup.

Bellingham United at Rat City FC

Bellingham United FC (BUFC), longtime EPLWA contenders, will travel south to face league newcomers Rat City FC in their inaugural match. Last season, BUFC narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing behind the Everett Jets with a 3-2-1 record in the North Conference.

“We’re eagerly awaiting this weekend’s match. It’s been a long, demanding preseason and the group is more than ready to shift gears into competition mode,” said BUFC head coach Rich Henderson. “We’ve got a blend of youth and experience, and while the chemistry is still a work in progress, I can guarantee we’ll be giving full effort from the first whistle to the last.”

Rat City FC will look to make a strong first impression and notch a statement win in their EPLWA debut.

“As for Rat City, we don’t know a ton about them in terms of personnel — they seem to rotate a mixed roster, which makes preparation tricky,” Henderson said. “The pitch adds another layer. It’s a tighter, shorter space than we’re used to, so we’ll have to adjust quickly. But that’s part of the game on the road — staying true to who we are while handling the variables.”

Sunday, May 4

Bellevue Athletic 2 at FC Olympia

The weekend concludes with FC Olympia returning to the field to host Bellevue Athletic 2, their second match in as many days. It will be the first regular-season match for Bellevue Athletic 2, who serve as the reserve and feeder team for Bellevue Athletic’s first team in the United Premier Soccer League.

“We are excited to kick off the season on our home field,” said Fetbrandt. “We have a unique opportunity to play back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, so we are looking forward to the challenge. The boys have been training hard. It’s apparent they want to start the season right with a pair of big-time wins.”