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The Week at Cheney Stadium

Tacoma Rainiers

Leaders in Tacoma are embracing Jason Lee Middle School’s “Watts Up!” solar project. Many of your local favorites in the arts, business, science and sports industries chatted with us about how R Hat R City and Jason Lee’s project has inspired their personal pride in the South Sound. Tacoma is behind Gwen, Sammy, Annie and Mrs. Hall over at Jason Lee Middle School.

Rhubarb the Reindeer crossed the line with his support of the project, and was promptly punished for his mischievous behavior.

Shop R Hats

Copa de la Diversión is back. We R Familia de Tacoma.

Stay up to date on Tacoma Rainiers news at TacomaRainiers.com 

Mariners Organization News

MLB.com recognized outfielder Jarred Kelenic as the best athlete within the org. He’s their 13th best prospect in baseball and surged to Double-A Arkansas in his first full pro season with a 20 homerun, 20 stolen bases stat line on the year. Four other Mariners also appear in the top-70.

Fresh off of retiring from professional baseball, 2019 Tacoma Rainiers utility-man Kristopher Negrón is now the Assistant to Director of Player Development, Andy McKay announced on Tuesday. Manager Daren Brown and the Tacoma front office named Negrón the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Looks like he will see a different side of Cheney Stadium if he visits in 2020.

MLB and PCL

Mexico bested the U.S. National Baseball Team in the Premier 12. Right-hander Penn Murfee, who is on the U.S. roster, made five relief appearances for the Rainiers in 2019. The U.S. will now attempt to qualify for baseball’s return to the Summer Olympics via the Pan American Games in March 2020.

This will be Mexico’s first time competing for an Olympic medal in baseball.

 

Tacoma Defiance

Josh Atencio watched his hometown club win MLS Cup 2019 and is now more motivated than ever.

“It puts us in a position where we have the same expectations. It puts that same level of expectation on us and our teams throughout the system. This is a winning organization and we are here to play to win.”

The frequent captain is already preparing for his second pro year, one in black ink and kraken green.

Stay up to date on Tacoma Defiance news at TACDefiance.com.

Sounders Organization News

Last Friday and Saturday, the two MLS Cups toured Seattle. This Friday they’re hitting up Olympia. Head to the Capitol Building at noon to meet 2016 and 2019, our favorite soccer siblings.

MLS and USL

Bryan Meredith is no longer with Seattle Sounders FC. Inter Miami CF selected him in the MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday. Meredith started eight matches at Cheney Stadium in 2019, including the U.S. Open Cup match. We look forward to seeing Bryan’s defiant spirit carry him to a strong 2020 in every match, except the ones against Seattle.

In USL action, Real Monarchs SLC beat Louisville City 3-1 in the USL Championship Final. Monarchs defender Konrad Plewa won the MVP of the Final. It was the first championship for a Western Conference team since Sacramento Republic FC in 2014.

Awards season is underway:

  • Matt Pickens, Nashville FC, is the 2019 Goalkeeper of the Year.
  • Naval Academy graduate Joe Greenspan, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, won 2019 Defender of the Year.
  • Rick Schantz, Phoenix Rising, was named the Coach of the Year.
  • Cristian Parano, San Antonio FC, earned Young Player of the Year.
  • The MVP will be named on Thursday November 21. Phoenix Rising’s Solomon Asante will almost certainly be taking home the hardware.

 

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Six players saw national team action over the break. Former Reign FC coach Vlatko Andonovski went 2-0 in his first two matches with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Several Reign FC players are on loan to teams in Australia’s W-League. Darian Jenkins played 89 minutes and created one chance in Melbourne Victory’s 3-0 loss to Sydney FC. Melbourne City, with Lydia Williams, Lauren Barnes, and Steph Catley drew the Newcastle Jets, 1-1.

NWSL news

Sky Blue FC is moving into Red Bull Arena in 2020.

Washington Spirit will split their home games between Audi Field, Segra Field, and Maryland SoccerPlex next season.

 

We R Tacoma

We chatted with Tacoma’s Poet Laureate, Abby E. Murray, about why she’s taking poetry outside of downtown Tacoma and how she fell in love with baseball. Look for that story later this week.

Events around R City

  • Start planning to hit the Downtown Tacoma Holiday Haul Crawl on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Our We R Tacoma team will be on site with an interactive holiday experience you and your family are sure to love.
  • 3rd Thursday Art & Wine Night is Thursday November 21 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hotel Murano. Half price wine and local art is a great deal. It also means most Tacoma galleries will be free or reduced admission. Score.
  • Fort Nisqually is hosting an escape room style adventure by candle light Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. This is a fun twist on Fort Nisqually’s role as a living example of what life was like in the 1800s.

Tacoma Team Store

The Tacoma Team Store is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 24/7 online. Click here for Rainiers and here for Defiance.

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