The Tacoma Stars will kick off its second season in the Major Arena Soccer League with a home match against Soles De Sonora at 6:05 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29.
The club released its 20-game regular season schedule, with includes 10 home matches at the ShoWare Center in Kent, on Tuesday.
The Stars come into the year fresh off a playoff appearance during the 2015-16 season – its first full season in the league. Returning to the club are MASL Coach of the Year Darren Sawatzky and MASL Goalkeeper of the Year Danny Waltman.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to open the season at home, and to build on the momentum we created last year with a postseason berth,” Sawatzky said. “With a talent-laden roster and an electric home field environment in the ShoWare Center, this team is in perfect position to attain incredible levels of success.”
Following the home opener, the Stars will travel south for a weekend matchup against the Turlock Express at 7:05 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4. Tacoma won both of their contests against Turlock during the 2015-16 season by a combined score of 15-4.
“We are excited to build off of our playoff run from last year’s inaugural season,” Stars owner Lane Smith said. “Fans can expect a great, exciting family experience with many enhancements for the 2016-17 season.”
The club returns to the ShoWare Center for a single home game against the Ontario Fury at 6:05 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, before departing on a four-game road trip that includes a pair of weekend doubleheaders.
The first stop on the extended road stretch will be against the Dallas Sidekicks at 5:35 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18. The next day, the Stars will travel to take on the St. Louis Ambush at 5:05 p.m., marking Tacoma’s only out-of-conference road match of the season. The following weekend Tacoma will take on the San Diego Sockers at 7:35 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2, and Atletico Baja at 5:05 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4.
The Stars then return home for a stretch of five consecutive home games. Ontario will make the trip north to the ShoWare Center for a match at 6:05 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, followed by a visit from the San Diego Sockers at 3:05 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18.
Following a break for the holidays, the Stars will return to action with a matchup at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, against Baja and an inter-conference contest with the Cedar Rapids Rampage at 7:35 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13. The lengthy homestand wraps up with a heated divisional game against Turlock on at 7:35 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20.
The Stars will embark on the third two-match weekend of the season, playing Sonora at 7:05 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, and Baja at 5:05 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29.
Tacoma remains on the road for matches against San Diego at 7:35 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, and Dallas at 5:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, before returning home to host St. Louis, at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.
The club’s final road game of the regular season comes at 3:05 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19, as the Stars take on Ontario.
The Stars wrap up the home slate with a two-game homestand, in which they host the Chicago Mustangs at 7:35 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, and San Diego at 6:05 p.m., Saturday, March 4.
Season ticket packages, group outings, family packs, and suite offerings for the Tacoma Stars 2016-17 season are available. To purchase, call 1-844-STARS-TIME or visit the Stars online at tacomastars.com.
