The distance between the Kitsap County Fairgrounds and Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila isn’t all that significant. As the gull flies, it’s a quick hop across Puget Sound.
Actually getting there, though, requires either an hour-long ferry ride or a 65-mile drive down the edge of the Olympic Peninsula and up through Tacoma.
The Kitsap Pumas’ journey to Wednesday night’s fourth-round U.S. Open Cup match against the Sounders at Starfire Stadium has also been both more arduous and remarkable than a quick glance at the bracket suggests.
Kitsap is playing in the fourth round for the first time in club history.