“It’s been about waiting,” Highlanders coach Steve Simonson said, mulling over which teams will emerge as the Final Four in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the organization is also waiting to hear the league’s decision on who will play host to the four-team Western Conference championship. Victoria is a possibility as the Highlanders have officially put in a bid to host the tournament.
“It would be a lot of fun to have it here in so many ways,” Simonson said, confident a road playoff tournament would be fine, as well. The Highlanders were undefeated on the road this season.
“We’re not all that afraid of going away.”
The Portland Timbers U-23 are in Vancouver on Tuesday, in the first round of playoffs, to take on the Whitecaps U-23 for the final berth in the Northwest. In the Southwest Division, the Fresno Fuego, undefeated through the regular season, took first place, but the remaining berth is still up for grabs, as the regular schedule in the Southwest doesn’t end until this weekend.
The Final Four round will see teams play in a crossover of divisions, which will be a new experience for Victoria. Simonson said the Highlanders are so familiar with the teams here, it will be a different flavour to face the Southern competition.
“We’ll do as much homework as we can, but you’ve still got to play the game,” he said. “We’re preparing for whoever we need to play.
“We have spies in place.”
On the home front, the Highlanders have enjoyed some time off to rest both mind and body, after a tough stretch of road games, with few breathers during the last few weeks. Most of all, the goal for the coaches over this break is to get the squad rested, healthy and recharged for the postseason.
Health and welfare is more important than anything,” Simonson said. “We want to keep it light, and focused, and have some fun — just try to keep the spirits in the right place.”
The Highlanders showed some of the wear and tear they’ve suffered, in a 2-1 loss to Portland last weekend. Playing without the scoring of Jordie Hughes and midfield anchor Riley O’Neil, along with making liberal substitutions, the Highlanders couldn’t quite overcome a Timbers team in need of a victory.
“We weren’t full strength, and couldn’t be full strength, even if we wanted to.”
The good news is the nicks and dings should all be healed by the time the Highlanders are back in action next weekend. Simonson is using the extra time to “clean up some things,” and work out a few kinks.
CORNER KICKS: On Thursday, the PDL announced the addition of Lane United FC to the league. Lane United, playing out of Eugene, Ore., will join the Highlanders, Portland, Vancouver, Seattle Sounders U-23, Kitsap Pumas, Washington Crossfire and North Sound SeaWolves in the Northwest Division for the 2014 season. … The Peninsula Co-op Highlanders (12-1-2) wind up the regular season in the Pacific Coast Soccer League on Sunday when they meet Fraser Valley Action (4-8-1) at Trinity Western University. The Highlanders have won 11 straight matches, and will finish in second place, behind the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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