Semi-professional soccer is returning to South Snohomish County this spring and summer, and the owner, general manager and coach of the North Sound SeaWolves created a buzz of excitement during a recent Edmonds Chamber of Commerce luncheon at La Galleria restaurant.

SeaWolves owner Alex Silva, general manager Jim Underhill and new head coach Ed Moore shared their vision for the team’s place in South Snohomish County, with an emphasis on providing affordable family entertainment during the team’s seven-game home season, which begins with a home game vs. the Portland Timbers.

“We’re going to do our best to make Edmonds proud of this team,” said Underhill. The SeaWolves will play at Edmonds Stadium, located at Edmonds-Woodway High School and just a few blocks from Highway 99.

Underhill has been working to bring local businesses into the fold to support the team and its fans. For example, nearby Celtic Cowboy barbecue will provide food on game days and the My Neighborhood News Network, which includes My Edmonds News, MLTnews and Lynnwood Today, will be the team’s media sponsor. Live video streaming of all home games will be available via a link from the SeaWolves website as well as on the My Neighborhood News Network websites.

Team owner Silva and head coach Moore, an assistant men’s soccer coach at Seattle University, told chamber members that the focus will be on ensuring that the players — young men mainly from Division I colleges who are looking to keep their skills sharp over the summer — are available to the community through activities such as soccer clinics and autograph signings.

The SeaWolves belong to the seven-team Northwest Division of the Premier Development League, the highest level of amateur soccer in the United States. The division includes developmental teams of Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps. About 70 percent of players on MLS rosters spent some time in the PDL. The team’s season runs from May-July, with the season-opener May 18 at Edmonds Stadium against the Portland Timbers U-23 team.