The Northwest Division champions get one more chance to impress before playoffs. Foothills FC puts its six game winning streak on the line for its regular season finale, 2 p.m. Saturday in Okotoks in a battle with the Northwest number two-seed Seattle Sounders. “We are excited to come home and will focus on our final game of this season against a very good, in form Seattle Sounders U23 team,” said Foothills FC head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. in a press release. “We want to finish off the regular season with another great performance in front of our home crowd.” The team is inviting everyone to help celebrate the Northwest Division championship, a feat Foothills clinched during its bye week, at Saturday’s match. Attendance is free for all youth accompanied by an adult, while all spectators will also receive a free hot dog and pop. Following the match the team will unveil the Northwest Division championship banner. Foothills has won both previous meetings with the Sounders, both games in the Emerald City, but the Sounders have been on the rise of late with three consecutive victories and is in contention for the final wild-card berth into the post-season. The home team has been on quite a ride of its own with six straight victories, outscoring its opposition by an 18-3 mark during that timeframe. At 10-1-2, Foothills has already clinched its best record in team history. Foothills closed out its road schedule with an Oregon double. On July 6, they overpowered Lane United by a 4-0 score. Ajeej Sarkaria scored in the first half while super-sub Carlos Patino came on in the second half to score and set up goals for teammates Tofa Fakunle and Ali Musse. Foothills left it late, but got past the Portland Timbers 1-0 in its road finale on July 9. Willy Akio scored in the 87th minute to secure the three points for the visitors. “Lads were different class today in a tough one. To come on the road in a hot environment, the boys played well,” Wheeldon Jr. added. “They’ve got the championship winning spirit because they’re playing with a purpose, but what’s pleasing is that we are finding ways to score in tight games which is something you need if you want to go all the way.” Foothills is guaranteed one of the four spots in the Western Conference Finals, held July 20-22. There they will be up against the other two division winners along with the top wild card side. The location for the playoff is yet to be determined. For more information go to foothillsfc.ca
