Oly Town FC to face Park City Red Wolves on West Coast semifinal bracket

After clinching the last playoff spot for the Northwest Division last week, the Oly Town FC will officially compete in the National playoff as one of the country's 32 best men’s pre-professional soccer clubs, with their opponents bared in the USL League Two website last Monday.

The USL2 Artesians will face the Park City Red Wolves, who finished top of the Mountain Division, in a win-or-go-home match at the Interbay Stadium in Seattle, Washington, on Friday, July 21 at 2 p.m. local time kickoff for a chance in the Western Conference Final.

Currently coached by Scott Mackenzie, the Park City Red Wolves clinched their playoff spot after an undefeated run in the Mountain Division with seven wins and three draws as they dominated the division with 24 points. The Red Wolves closed out the season with a 2-1 win over second-place New Mexico United, who play Ballard FC in the other West Coast Semifinal fixture in Seattle.

Oly’s Salt Lake City-based rivals were founded in 2018 as a feeder club to parent club Chattanooga Red Wolves, who play a tier higher at the USL League One. Despite their recent founding, Park City found instant success as they qualified for the national playoff three consecutive years since 2021 after topping the Mountain Division in all three seasons. Their deepest run in the playoff was on their first try as they went up to the Western Conference Final before losing to the Portland Timbers U23 on penalties.

Despite playing the underdog to this undefeated side, the Artesians are expected to be ruthless and physical like they are in the whole season as they have been in this situation before, but this time with unfamiliar opposition in the national playoffs. They should be wary of their recent inconsistent form and remain composed on midfield as their keys to playoff glory.

Oly Town FC, led by captain Jack Sluys who played all 12 matches of the season with the armband, goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier who is instrumental on the defense as the man between the gates, and top scorer Gil de la Luz, who had four goals in his name, are coached by Liviu Bird which brought his coaching experience in the USL and PDL to Oly Town in his first year as gaffer.

The Oly Town Artesians have had an exceptional calendar year in 2023, with both USL men’s and women’s programs making the national playoff. If the lads win this Western semi, they will have another opportunity to reach uncharted territory in the Western Conference Final, which is scheduled on July 23 at the same venue.