Here's a coaching dilemma no sporting organization ever wants to face.  You have just come off an outstanding 2008 season, with your Reserve Team winning it's second League Championship in four years, and your Senior Team winning both the League Championship and the post-season Challenge Cup Championship, for the second year in a row....

Then the Victoria Highlanders break onto the soccer pitch, and take eight of your 2008 Senior Team starters with them.  Moreover, four of your long-time Senior Team players take a well-earned retirement.  Finally, on your Reserve Team, seven players move over to the Victoria Highlanders' Reserve Team program.

By any measure, Victoria United has been one of the most successful clubs in the Pacific Coast Soccer League, both on and off the field, over its fifteen-year modern history.  But faced with this significant exodus, Senior Team Coach Eddie Mukahanana and Reserve Team Coaches Nick Daniel and Steve Bottomely were pretty apprehensive about their 2009 PCSL season, which began in the month of May.

It's early in the season, but maybe they needn't have worried.  Both teams had record turnouts for their tryout sessions, and at this point in their seasons, both have winning records.  On the Reserve Team, a number of new faces have emerged from the Lower Island Soccer Association's successful USL Super-Y youth team program, and the team is already developing a winning character.  The Senior Team still has past regulars Ben Hooker (last year's player-coach), as well as returning starters Steve Gateley, Matt Northrup, Mike Moon and Kellen Holden.  "The depth of talent in this team over the years has been outstanding," Hooker commented.  "With the returning core of five players from last year, and some of the new guys moving up from the Reserve Team, we will be better than you would think."  On top of that, some outstanding talent has emerged from suprising places.  "Joel Gomez, newly arrived from Brazil, is fitting  into our back line," Mukahanana said.  "In addition, Chris Rehor, who just moved here from Australia, was outstanding in the midfield on our first weekend."

The new face of Victoria United returns to Royal Athletic Park this weekend June 6 and 7, as the Senior Team faces Vancouver Thunderbirds on Saturday, and Surrey United on Sunday.  Game times are 2:30 p.m.

The Reserve Team faces Kamloops Excel at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Hampton Park.  Come on out and meet some new faces.

For the schedule of games for the Senior Team, click here.

For the schedule of games for the Reserve Team, click here.