Steelheads goalkeeper Lair suits up for Cascadia National Team Saturday in Kent

67450626_1503300766461629_5636477125197299712_n — Dorian Lair is back on the pitch just a few days after helping the Steelheads win the WWPL. (CAFF Facebook photo)

Update! Dorian was in goal for Cascadia’s 8-1 win over Darfur!

Steelheads goalkeeper Lair suits up for Cascadia National Team Saturday in Kent

SMOKEY POINT, WA— The buzz from winning the Western Washington Premier League Championship has hardly faded but the game goes on and for Steelheads goalkeeper Dorian Lair that means being presented with an opportunity to suit up with the Cascadia National Team. Lair and Cascadia will host Darfur United at 1 PM on Saturday July 27 at French Field in Kent, WA.

You can read more about the Cascadia Association Football Federation here.

Dorian is a graduate of Shorewood High School who then went on to play college soccer at Warner Pacific in Portland, Oregon. He’s also been a coach at WP and played for the club FCM Portland in the NPSL. That’s pretty Cascadia-focused. But how did he connect with this cultural movement now taking form as a national team? “Through a few mutual teammates that I have played with in the past,” Lair explains. “Word got out that I was back in town and was decent at what I do. I ended up getting a call from coach, (James Nichols, based out of the UK) and he mentioned that they would love to invite me to train.”

AV1I1395 — Lair came in halfway through the Steelheads season and recorded 3 shutouts in 5 matches. (Glen Moffitt photos)

So far Dorian is impressed with the Cascadia Nats. “Based on what I have seen in training thus far, this is one of the best quality bunch of players that I have played with. I expect that it will be a quality match and of course take home my first W!”

Lair still has that winning feeling. It was just back on July 18 when the Steelheads took a huge 1-0 win in Redmond over Crossfire. In that match Lair was called upon to make some big saves. The ball was slippery in the rain but his club held for a win that eventually gave Snohomish their first Championship.

AV1I0868 — Lair took to a field position in a Snohomish County blowout win in Bellevue. (Glen Moffitt photos.)

“Although I came halfway through the season, playing in 5 games and getting 3 shutouts, it feels amazing,” he says of the Steelheads winning the league . He even came around to liking the defensive system that Head Coach Dagi Kesim used so successfully all year. “I was a bit skeptical at first given that I’m not your usual fan of 3 in the back,” Lair admits, “but Coach Dagi and squad knows how to take advantage of that system.”

Now Lair sees a future of playing back in his home county. “Long story short, I’m extremely proud of the guys and look forward to the next season!”