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Prost Amerika Special Report - Kasey Keller Signs      WIN SOUNDERS TICKETS!

Gambia Youth International Becomes 3rd Signee

Teenage Midfielder Sanna Nyassi Played in 2007 FIFA Championships But is Immediately Available to USL Side

September 5

Seattle Sounders FC today announced the identity of their third signing for their inaugural MLS. Sanna Nyassi, a member of the Gambia U-20 National Team at the 2007 FIFA Championships, is a 19-year-old midfielder, and becomes the third player signed by Sounders FC. He joins American goalkeeper Kasey Keller and French forward Sébastien Le Toux. Like Le Toux, Nyassi is now being loaned to the Sounders of the USL First Division for the remainder of this season. He is expected to be available for Seattle’s next match, at home to Miami FC on Saturday night.

Nyassi had been on training with the USL Sounders, where he was evaluated by both Adrian Hanauer, the General Manager, and Chris Henderson, the technical director. He tried out for the New England Revolution last summer but they signed his twin brother Sainey who is now a regular starter in MLS this season. “Sanna is a very technical player, strikes the ball well with both feet, and he has lightning quickness,” said Hanauer. “He has enormous potential and if he works extremely hard, he could have a very long an successful career in MLS.”

At the 2007 U-20 FIFA Championships in Canada, Nyassi twice came off the bench for Gambia. His team beat Portugal to finish second in their group and reach the last 16. Earlier, he was a member of the West African nation’s side at the 2005 U-17 world championships, playing in all three matches, including one start. Seattle will be Nyassi’s second professional club. He originally signed with Gambia Ports Authority FC in 2004, playing with the club in the capital city of Banjul until this year. He scored the game-winning goal in the 2007 national cup final. Ports Authority won the 2006 League 1 championship. Nyassi recently played in Seattle when Atletico Morelia played the Portland Timbers at Memorial Stadium.

Sounders FC to Meet with Supporters

Email Invites Members to Q&A with Club Officials on September 11

August 27

An email to all season ticket holders and members of Seattle Sounders FC went out today inviting them to a meeting at QWest Field. The email says the club will "go over goals and expectations, discuss stadium behavior, take Q&A and lay the groundwork for establishing the most dynamic match day atmosphere in the league."

It will start at 7pm and take place in the West Club Lounge at Qwest Field. Seating will be limited to the first 500 to reply and 150 people are known to have accepted the invitation in the first couple of hours.

The email then goes on to link to three places where Toronto FC Fans are featured and one of the current supporters group. Seattle Sounders FC GM Adrian Hanauer and Business Development Manager Bart Wiley recently visited Toronto for the MLS All Star game and are known to have been impressed with the performance of the Toronto fans in building a match day atmosphere. Bart Wiley met with Toronto fan groups and told us, "Toronto has fantastic fans and the atmosphere in their stadium is certainly something to emulate." As well as Wiley, Gary Wright and Qwest Field management will be in attendance at the meeting.

To attend, RSVP to MLS Customer Service with name, number of people attending and your email address. You have to RSVP by September 8, 2008 to ensure your place at this meeting. Those attending will receive a complimentary ticket to the current Seattle Sounders September 13th against Atlanta Silverbacks match where recipients are invited to sit with the current supporters group, the Emerald City Supporters (ECS). Those attending can park in the North Lot at Qwest Field for only $5 by printing out the email.

America's First "Sportocracy"?

Electorate Reaches Four Figures as Votes Continue to Pile In

August 22

Voting continues unabated in what we have chosen to describe as America’s first "sportocracy" in action. Ever since the Seattle Sounders FC launched their Membership Council idea, the votes have been coming in steadily. 145 candidates have been nominated so far and an incredible 1250 votes have been cast. In terms of voter participation and sport, all kinds of benchmarks are being set. Recently the first candidate to reach 25 votes was elected and as things stand he remains the sole member of the Council. But according to Bart Wiley, General Manager of the current Sounders and Business Development Manager of Sounders FC (a role which includes fan liaison), he’s not likely to be alone for long. “There are quite a number in double digits,” he said, “none hovering on 24 votes however but we are extending the time for people to get elected and we’re in no particular hurry to close off nominations. It will stay upon throught the end of August. There were even ten fans campaigning at the last home game outside the stadium. Whether we get ten members or 1000, we’ll make it work.” Anyone achieving 25 nominations from other members is automatically elected to the Council and there is no limit to how many Councilors can sit on the body. As well as at current Sounders games, fan groups have been trying to coordinate their members’ votes online so that their members can reach 25.

But none of this interest and activity has taken Bart Wiley by surprise. “I’m not surprised at all,” Bart continued. ”Not because this is exactly what I suspected, but because I had no preconceived notions of what to expect. We thought it would be interesting to people, enable them to get plugged in and serve as a mouthpiece for the Membership Association.” The Membership Association consists of all season ticket holders plus anyone who purchases a $125 membership but doesn’t own a season ticket. Asked how the club had handled 1200 plus emails, Bart explained, “We have a great software system, the same one we used for the referendum on the team name. To be honest, it’s been a breeze.”

Does Wiley have any fears about allowing their customers a voice? “I have no fears. Maybe that’s a bit misguided of me. But we feel the Council can take the pulse of the MA, and pass on messages about the match day experience. They can take soundings from those around them in the ground, for example whether the PA is too loud or the LED screen can’t be read. The club can’t have people everywhere in the ground.”

As new members are elected, we’ll try and catch up with them to see what issues are of concern to them.

Sounders FC to Make Major Announcement on Thursday

Kasey Keller Will Be Sounders FC's Second Signing

An email has been sent out inviting fans to join Seattle Sounders FC in a special player announcement on Thursday, August 14th at Qwest Field. Gates will open at 2:00 PM. The purpose of the gathering will be to announce that former Team USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller is the player to be added to the squad. The 38 year old Lacey, Washington native has been playing in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach and was known to be keen on a return to the Pacific Northwest.

Kasey has played 91 times for the USA National Men’s Team. Keller started his club career with the Portland Timbers and played as part of the US Under 20 program for three years before four successful years in London with Millwall. He moved onto Leicester City for whom he played 99 games. His next port of call was the city of Madrid where he played 51 games in La Liga for Rayo Vallecano.

Tottenham Hostpur and Fulham completed a trio of London clubs, but in between he experienced the Bundesliga where he represented Borussia Mönchengladbach. Of his caps for the USA, none is more famous than his shut out against Brazil in 1998. His ten saves kept Brazil at bay and prompted Romario to remark “That is the best performance by a goalkeeper I have ever seen. It was an honor to be on the field with him.” A player who has represented the USA at the top level and has experienced football in some of the world's top leagues would certainly be a catch for the Sounders, but it may well be the story of the prodigal son returning home that catches the Emerald City's imagination. He last played in Seattle on July 9, 2005 when he captained the USA against Canada in the Gold Cup.

Fans attending can park in the north lot of Qwest Field, and enter the stadium through the NW VIP gate where they will be directed to the field. We will bring you full coverage of the announcement here.

Seattle Sounders FC Announce Huge TV Deal and Unveil Play By Play Commentator

Kevin Calabro to Join KING-5 Broadcast Team

July 21st, QWest Field

In a press conference at QWest Field today, Todd Leiweke, CEO of Vulcan Sports Entertainment, announced a new television deal for the MLS bound Seattle Sounders FC. The games, both home and away, are to be covered on KING-5 or KONG-6/16. BELO President and General Manager Ray Heacox said "Everyone at KING5 the Home Team is very excited to begin this special partnership with another great home team - the Sounders FC. The television deal is a three year contract and reflects the supreme confidence BELO and Heacox have in the future of soccer in the Emerald City.

In another major announcement, Kevin Calabro was unveiled as the play-by-play commentator. The former 'Voice of the Sonics' was a winner of several Emmy award-winning broadcasts in his 21 years with the Oklahoma bound basketball side. He was named “Sportscaster of the Year” for the state of Washington in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association of America.

Calabro was quick to stress that he knows he is on a learning curve regarding the game but said Akeem Olajuwon had always stressed to him the importance of soccer in his basketball education. "I am thrilled to be part of Sounders FC soccer in a city that I know will embrace it," he said. "Seattle is blessed to have devoted ownership as well and I know people will be excited about the possibilities."

For the Sounders FC, Tod Leiweke commented that "The Sounders FC adds two broadcast icons to our family today. This partnership teams one of the most recognizable voices in sports with the number-one rated station in Western Washington."

"Good is Good"

Reaction from soccer's existing soccer community was upbeat. David Falk, Webmaster of GOALSeattle.com, reacted positively. "The announcement of Kevin Calabro as the first-ever voice of Sounders FC is a nice touch for our sports community. No one can deny Kevin's imprint on Seattle, and it is great to know that he'll be calling the first-ever kick in Sounders FC history in 2009. Kevin is known for basketball, but good is good, and he'll no doubt bring something special to the microphone for Seattle soccer fans," he said.

Speaking exclusively to Prost Amerika, Calabro had a message for any skeptics in the Seattle's soccer community , "I would just like them to know that I respect their game and I will respectfully approach this game, and work extremely hard to become as educated as I can about their sport; to learn every nuance that I can, to never pretend that I know any more than I know about this sport, and to always lean and depend upon expertise. Adrian is my expertise. He is our General Manager. We will have someone in that co-pilots chair, maybe two analysts; qualified soccer people that the soccer community here will know and respect. So from that standpoint we will hit all bases. We'll have somebody that will appeal to the hard core fan and myself who will bring along the casual fan and sell them on the game. I would think the hard core fan would want as many people as possible involved in the game as possible."

Prost Amerika would like to also welcome Kevin to Seattle's rapidly expanding soccer community - the fastest growing fanbase in American sport. A long journey is ahead of us all, and we are very happy to welcome our new crewmate on board!

Seattle Sounders FC Launch Youth Development Program

Club Joins Forces with Washington Youth Soccer

July 16th, 2008

Seattle Sounders today announced the launch of its new Youth Development Program (YDP). Supplementing the current youth soccer club experience, the YDP will run in six week increments at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila working on the technical aspects of soccer in a professional and enjoyable environment.

"We look forward to helping youth soccer grow in the years to come," said Sounders FC Director of Youth Development and current Sounders Assistant Coach Darren Sawatzky. "With the excitement of the new MLS team coming to town, both Washington Youth Soccer and the Seattle Sounders FC want to serve the youth soccer community the best way possible."

All Youth Development Program training will focus on improvement as a soccer player, responsibility to the community, and the expression of individual personality within the game. To serve as development tools for students of the game, each participant will receive nutritional education materials and reading lists related to high level sport.

Complementing the Youth Development Program will be specific position training. Goalkeeper training will run in six week increments on a yearly basis. Strikers, midfielders and defenders will each have a six week training cycle starting with the strikers and goalkeepers on August 11th.

The price per six week session is $200. Each participant receives a Sounders FC YDP jersey, shorts and socks to be worn at each training session. Registration begins the week of July 21st for an August 11th start date.

For more information please contact Darren Sawatzky at (206) 622-3415 ext. 122 or email him at darrens@seattlesounders.net.

Frère Jaqua!

Northwest Native to Come Home?

Bastille Day (July 14th), 2008

The news that forward Nate Jaqua has agreed to return to the Houston Dynamo for the rest of the season could have repercussions for the Sounders. Of course there are internet rumors about many players who may or may not be on the Sounders roster when they enter Major League Soccer in 2009, but those surrounding the Eugene, Oregon native have been persistent and stronger than most. Houston blogger Bernardo Fallas of Soccer y Fútbol seems convinced he will be a Sounders player next year.

Previously at SC Rheindorf Altach in Austria's Voralberg region where he played with Brazilian international Zé Elias, Jaqua has retuned to a Dynamo club for whom he made 15 appearances last year. He scored six goals for Houston in those appearances. He also netted a creditable goal every two games for the Austrians in his ten appearances.

Jaqua came on as a substitute in the 2006 MLS All Star side in 2006 at Chicago Fire's home field, Toyota Park. It was his home ground at the time and his performance was praised by many watching. He was awarded his first cap for the USA on January 29 2006, against Norway, and nearly scored in the U.S. victory.

The 26 year old is a graduate of South Eugene High School and played college soccer at the University of Portland from 2000 to 2002. He is the son of Jon Jaqua, a former National Football League player who played for the Washington Redskins. That can only be seen as a way to help Sounders FC connect with the huge fan base American Football has in Seattle. In the eyes of many, his return to the Pacific Northwest is inevitable with the arrival of MLS here. He would be partnering the only existing MLS signing so far, Frenchman Sébastien Le Toux, which explains our headline.

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY EVERYONE.

Seattle Sounders FC to Create Membership Council
24 June, 2008

At the launch party of the Seattle Sounders MLS franchise, the intention was stated to make it North America's first democratically run club. In order to harness the voices of the fans and provide a democratic outlet, Seattle Sounders FC are setting up a Membership Council - Senate, if you will, for Sounders FC fans. The Members Association consists of all those who have bought Season tickets. The Council is intended to be their voice to the Ownership group. Here is some information:

ELECTION

Member Association Council Members interested in participating on Council must receive a minimum of 25 votes from other Members of the Association. The Members Association Council will meet two times per year in addition to the annual all members meeting held at the conclusion of each season. Each Council member will serve as a liaison between members and the ownership group. Five (5) Council members will also be chosen by ownership to serve on the Sounders FC Advisory Board – a board made up of ownership, technical staff, corporate partners, and members of the soccer community. Advisory board meetings will take place on a quarterly basis with the annual meeting serving as the 4th quarter Advisory Board meeting.

TERM OF OFFICE

Council members will be voted in annually with terms extending from March to November (in year one, council members will be voted in 2008 with terms extending through November of 2009).

DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Council members will attend two meetings per term, attend the annual meeting at conclusion of season – hosted by Drew Carey, serve as mouthpiece of other Members, fans, match attendees, report to ownership on the pulse of the Members Association, be tuned into the match-day environment in your seating section, gather comments, suggestions, and criticisms from Members and present them to ownership, communicate to other Members through Member Only forums, and chat rooms that will be integrated into newly designed Sounders FC website (early 2009), serve as monitors in Members Only forums and chat rooms and report inappropriate content to Sounders FC management, and have a desire to see the Members Association succeed and become the cornerstone of other sports teams wanting to see Members have a more pronounced voice.

Seattle Sounders Live On!
Fans write in campaign succeeds
7 April, 2008

In a major victory for fan power, the new MLS franchise in Seattle is to be called the Seattle Sounders. Despite not being named on the ballot, the football fans of the city wrote in the name which has been synonymous with soccer here for three decades. Seattle Sounders FC is one of the oldest names in the sport in the USA and is now set to not only continue, but once more flourish at the top level of the game.

Co-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer commented (from the Puget Sound Business Journal): "The team playing at the highest level in our region has always been called Sounders. Starting with the NASL and then the USL 1st Division, we now have the chance to create a separate and distinct identity with the new MLS team."

While debate about the crest is sure to continue, fans were beginning to express their delight on Sounders message boards within seconds of the announcement. One supporter paid tribute to the fan unity shown by supporters of rival clubs, "I'd like to give a shout out to all the fans of Vancouver and Portland and around the world who helped out. Class acts all of you, thanks."

Fans of other clubs including DC United also joined in the sense of joy that tradition had won out.

We will have more later, and of course we will be renaming the page soon. And doing do with great glee!

MLS Seattle Launches Name Vote
Seattle FC, Republic or Alliance named candidates
24 March, 2008

In a surprising turn of events, MLS Seattle send out a ballot form to its members asking for their choice of name.  The emailed message asks fans to choose between three names, Seattle FC, Seattle Alliance and the Seattle Republic.

Curiously, they have also allowed for a write in nomination. This will once more put the populist choice of keeping the Sounders name back on the agenda. Initial reaction from fan sites was negative with one fan questioning how happy fans would be calling themselves 'Seattle Republicans' in one of the most fiercely Democrat cities in the USA. Another said "Seattle Alliance sounds like an insurance company, and Seattle Republic reminds me of Banana Republic. I wonder if the team uniform would consist of a button down shirt and overpriced khaki shorts."

The new franchise that began in Toronto last season took the name Toronto FC and this didn't seem to hamper an immediate and close affinity between their population and the club. But more attention seems to be focused on the write-in component of the email with early indications suggesting that die-hard fans of the Sounders name may use this to make a protest. However, sources also indicate, there is also an increasing realization that there is no chance the Seattle Sounder will be adopted as the club's official name.

What now seems certain is that the names of the ballot paper are the only ones under consideration. The website MLS Rumors reports that the three names Seattle FC, Seattle Alliance and Seattle Republic have all been registered at the US Trademark Office.

Fans will be allowed one vote per unique email address. MLS Seattle season ticket deposit holders will receive the same number of votes as deposits purchased. MLS Seattle has hired Votenet™ Solutions, Inc. to provide a secure online voting system and Deloitte & Touche to recount the results. The winning name will be revealed via live web cast on Monday, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. (PT) at www.mlsinseattle.com.

More information about the names and how you can vote are available here.

MLS Seattle Ticket Sales Top 10,000
1 January, 2008

A mere month after the announcement that Seattle had gained the next Major League Soccer place and a full 16 months before they even kick a ball, the club with no name reached another milestone. Seattle MLS has surpassed 10,000 season-ticket deposits.

Within a day, they had sold 24 hours but doubts that the surge would not last have disappeared under a tidal wave of Seattle soccer mania. Sales remain around 100 per day. What's more, they $50 doesn't even buy you a seat. The deposits merely give fans the opportunity to select seats when season tickets for the 2009 season go on sale. No price has been set on the season tickets.

"We're thrilled with the initial response to Seattle MLS season ticket memberships and are excited to see what 2008 will hold," Sounders general manager, Bart Wiley, told Prost Amerika.

The team is three months from selecting a name and colors and several more beyond that from signing players and coaches. Enthusiasm for the beautiful game is not a new concept here. Washington State's 130,000 registered youth players represent on a per-capita basis the highest number of youth soccer players in the nation.

MLS Seattle Launch Party
George and Dragon Pub, Fremont
12 November

A large and expectant crowd gathered at the George and Dragon, long the home of pub soccer in Seattle. Some were there for their regular diet of English Premier League as Arsenal visited Reading whose goalkeeper is none other than Seattleite Marcus Hahnemann. However as is so often the case in London, the real excitement was nothing to do with Arsenal.

MLS soccer had arrived in Seattle and the George was chosen as the appropriate atmosphere to throw a fans' party. New GM Adrian Hanauer and Majority Owner Joe Roth attended but the show stopper was undoubtedly TV star Drew Carey who has agreed to be a minority owner in the new club. This was the culmination of a great deal of hard work by Hanauer and Roth, but they were prepared to let Carey take the spotlight. But their pride was palpable.

Whereas most of the large and noisy Sounder fan contingent were hoping to hear the news that they had a team to watch in 2008, it was another announcement that really drew (pun deliberate) the breath of the real football aficionados in attendance.

Carey announced that it was a precondition of his involvement that the club become a broad-based membership organization along the lines of FC Barcelona in Catalonia. This would be a totally new concept in American sports with only the Green Bay Packers coming close. As yet there are few details as to how it might work but the new owners are getting advice from the Catalan marketing giants. In a lighter moment, Carey confessed he had already insisted on a marching band. The Europeans there were somewhat perplexed by this. They'll be more perplexed if he keeps his promise to paint his face and play the trumpet in it.

In explaining what a membership system meant, Roth said that in four years' time the members would be able to to vote Adrian Hanauer out of office. Hanauer quipped, "Tell them they're also able to vote for me."

For many long-term soccer fans in the city this was a memorable day, and the sense of relief was only swamped by the sense of anticipation of the months to come. Amongst those reacting were Dave Martin, a native of Belfast, Northern Ireland who said "I'm absolutely delighted Major League Soccer is coming to this town. It's about time. There's a big soccer community in this town. Even Portland and Vancouver should be in there too." Passionate Sounders fan Greg Robb added that the new organization "had to get the community involved in the naming of the team, they need to get involved in community outreach, they need to get the media involved, sign a TV contract, a radio contract to get behind Major League Soccer in this town." He will doubtless be delighted to hear that Bonneville Radio, owners of KIRO and KTTH, have already agreed to broadcast the games over the radio.

John Bayliss, co-owner of the George and Dragon, was confident that some of his existing customers, who attend to watch European football, would become fans of the new club...including himself. "There are a lot of fans in here that are certainly going to be going to the games on a regular basis myself included. We hope to develop a fan base when they're playing away. We're all football fans together, aren't we?" For some of us, he may have meant soccer but he is right in one thing. The soccer fans of this city seem to be united with a purpose like never before.

Footnote: Next big soccer event at the George is on Saturday at 9am when Scotland take on the World Champions Italy with a place in the Euro Finals at stake. Prost Amerika asks that you wear anything tartan you can lay your hands on.

MLS Seattle Press Conference
Columbia Tower
13 November

If Monday's announcement at the George and Dragon was for the fans, Tuesday's high profile press conference was for the movers and shakers in American soccer. A large crowd of invitees packed into the Columbia Tower building to hear Don Garber, the Commissioner of MLS, formally announce Seattle to the press, as a new home for an MLS Franchise. Paul Allen was absent (though only corporeally we were told), but Vulcan Sports and Entertainment was ably represented by Tod Leiweke, that organization's CEO. The remaining seats on the platform were occupied by the majority owner, Joe Roth, and new General Manager and Minority Owner, Adrian Hanauer. So illustrious was the "first eleven" that Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire could only get a place "on the bench". Her presence was no less welcome however and underlined just how much everyone is behind this new venture. With two daughters who are devoted to the beautiful game, she proudly described herself as a "soccer mom", and it seems the more we hear, the more we learn that soccer is very deeply entrenched in the hearts and minds of this State and this City. It augurs very well.

At 11.59 am, the words "Roll Video" were heard and a pastiche of MLS action to a melodious Latin beat flashed up on the screen. At first we could have been at the Houston launch but then Leiweke took over with the words that will resonate with all true believers:

"The world's greatest game is coming to Seattle."

Many will claim to have already seen evidence of that here before with our USL Champion Sounders, but today was not a day for pedantry but for joy. In a concession to the importance of the fans and how QWest will become more than just a rental for the new franchise, Leiweke expressed his hope that the loudest stadium in the NFL would become the loudest stadium in the MLS. This is good news for groups like the Emerald City Supporters whose raucous racket has occasionally seemed out of place in the sedate family-friendly atmosphere of the USL. Significantly, the new organization is already making moves to ask fans like this how they can be best accommodated in the new setup, and this approach is to be welcomed. It seems that there may be two categories of season ticket, regular season ticket holder and supporter season ticket holder. According to Bart Wiley who is spearheading the fan outreach, the latter will want to "sit with other supporters, stand, sing, chant, bang a drum, paint face, etc".

 

'A Very Historic Day for Soccer in North America'

Don Garber took us through a history of how the concept of MLS in Seattle began with a diehard soccer fan who was working for the Seahawks. Calling this "a very historic day for soccer in North America", Garber reminded us that the soccer vote was instrumental in securing the QWest vote. He paid tribute to Joe Roth's unique marketing skills and gave us some background on Roth's soccer addiction over many decades. He finished up by reiterating that the players and the clubs will represent the community and the city with pride, a city which he called "a soccer savvy and international and diverse city."

Joe Roth talked of his love affair with soccer, thanking the Governor and calling himself a "soccer dad". He has been playing and coaching for many a decade and no-one there could have had any doubt of his passion for the game. He admitted that there were very few facts to tell at present having only signed the contract three days ago, and admitted his frustration that the game hasn't caught on here like it has in the rest of the world. Confessing he had also looked at Portland and Vancouver, he chose Seattle as an "intelligent, smart, sophisticated non-conformist city" and pointed out that Washington has more youth soccer players (130,000) per capita than any other state. Outlining Drew Carey's role in persuading him to adopt the Barcelona concept of a membership organization, he explained briefly how it worked there. He told Prost Amerika later that he would be meeting with FC Barcelona officials in two weeks time to learn more about the mechanics of such a scheme. Interestingly, they asked MLS Seattle for the meeting. While admitting that he had applauded the now discredited signing of David Beckham by the LA Galaxy at the time, Roth insisted categorically that playing ability, and playing ability only, would be considerations in MLS Seattle's signings.

Committing to spending at least half his time in Washington State, he cited the goal of having Seattle be the home of soccer in America as New York City is of court basketball. His passion for the game shone through leaving no one in any doubt. Joe Roth is the real deal in a city where sporting franchise owners are not currently universally loved.

Adrian Hanauer spoke next. He perhaps is the man with most to lose out of the Barcelona idea as it is he who will be up for election in four years time. He is also the man who has been putting his money in soccer in Seattle for six years, bringing home a remarkable four USL titles in that time. Again stressing his long- time commitment to the game, he said that he believed that this consortium was the piece missing to bring a successful MLS team to Seattle. Then came the moment many of the faithful had been waiting for. The Sounders will be back in 2008. This will help territorially protect the players so that the new club can promote players from the USL side if they feel they can make it at a higher level. Sébastien Le Toux, the Sounders' mercurial Frenchman, was a name that arose frequently in that context, along with Taylor Graham and Kenji Treschuk, but clearly nothing has really been decided, and won't be until the new franchise has a coach. Hanauer expects that to be the middle of next year. He spoke of the coach's job and Brian Schmetzer's chances of landing the big one. Schmetzer, the current fan favorite, is "high on that list of candidates". On the thorny and contentious subject of the new team's name, he said "The vision for this team is a truly international brand, an authentic team, an authentic brand and the name will reflect that."

He moved onto the process and spoke of having a philosophy to make the community proud, of a smart soccer team, players who make good decision both on and off the field. He wanted to see an attacking team with speed as a critical element. The players will have to be committed to both team and community, especially the designated player. He spoke of giving the side world class training facilities and mentioned Starfire in Tukwila. Finally, he spoke of needing agent and scout networks, some of which were in place already including working with the Washington State Soccer Association.

To their credit, Hanauer and Roth made themselves extremely available for questions after the official conference and stayed until the waiting journalist pack had answered all their inquiries. If they intend to meet their stated goal of being an open approachable club that belongs to the citizenry, then they have made a flying start. Adrian Hanauer stressed that he wanted to field a team with speed as a quality. Well, the new Seattle MLS club has certainly hit the ground running.

Listen to Hanauer on the Sounders in 2008

MLS Seattle Daten und Fakten auf deutsch.

SOUNDERS MLS LATEST

A Look Back on the Press Coverage Building up to the Big Announcement:

It's official: Seattle to get MLS team in 2009
The official announcement: Hanauer will remain as manager, and a supporters club based on FC Barcelona.

By SEATTLE TIMES STAFF

The Seattle Times
November 11

Major League Soccer announced today that Seattle will begin play during the 2009 season. The Seattle team will play all home matches at Qwest Field. "We are proud to award our 15th team to Seattle, a world-class city and tremendous soccer market," said MLS commissioner Don Garber. MLS granted a club to Seattle after securing an ownership agreement with Hollywood movie studio executive Joe Roth, Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer, actor Drew Carey and Paul Allen's Vulcan Sports & Entertainment.

Full story here

 

Seattle gets Major League Soccer franchise
More confirmation from the Seattle Times, and an official announcement on Tuesday.

The Seattle Times
November 9

"Major League Soccer is coming to Seattle in 2009. Sources confirmed on Friday that the long-rumored announcement of an expansion franchise for the city will come early next week. The new Seattle franchise will play at Qwest Field on Field Turf. The primary ownership group will consist of Seattle Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer, Hollywood mogul Joe Roth, and Seahawks' owner Paul Allen."

Full story here

 

Seattle Sounders to announce they're moving to up to MLS
What we think we already know is confirmed.

The Province
November 6

"The Vancouver Whitecaps' rivalry with the Seattle Sounders is about to become exhibition-only, as The Province has learned the Emerald City will announce next week that it will join Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2009. Rumours that the Sounders were moving to the top professional league in North American have been swirling for weeks. It's not certain whether the club will continue to play in the United Soccer Leagues First Divsion in 2008. "

Full story here

 

The Kitsap Sounders?
Seems the move to preserve the Sounders in the area is fairly well advanced with talk of a 6500 seater stadium in Poulsbo.

By CHUCK STARK

Kitsap Sun
October 24

"If Seattle lands a Major League Soccer expansion team — and all signs are pointing in that direction — then the Seattle Sounders franchise that recently won the United Soccer Leagues First Division title could wind up in Kitsap County. "Yes, it's a possibility," said Robin Waite of Tracyton, part of the Sounders' ownership group who has been actively trying to build a soccer-only stadium with the hopes of luring a USL franchise to the region. Waite is zeroing in on nearly 13 acres of land in Poulsbo after a recent attempt to purchase an eight-acre parcel of land in Olhava fell through. "

Full story here

 

Prospects for netting pro soccer here climb
Philadelphia area consortium seems to be splashing the big money on a soccer stadium. Are they in the running for one of the two expansion slots?

By MARI A SCHAEFER

Philadlephia Inquirer
October 20

"Delaware County has agreed to spend $30 million for the construction of a soccer stadium on the Chester waterfront, bringing a Major League Soccer franchise closer to the Philadelphia region. The next big step may be taken in November, when MLS hopes to announce the league's two newest franchises at ceremonies surrounding the championship game in Washington. Andrew J. Reilly, Delaware County Council chairman, said the $30 million would come from revenue generated by the new slots casino in Chester. A Delaware County Sports Authority would be created to own the stadium and lease it to the soccer team. The Chester Redevelopment Authority would donate part of the land, south of the Commodore Barry Bridge. The prospective franchisees own 50 acres at the site. With the agreement, those investors can make a final proposal to MLS, the county said. The cost of the stadium, including the franchise fee, is expected to be about $150 million, Reilly said. "

Full story here

 

The soccer fans are irritated and angry
John Canzano throws very cold water on the idea of Portland getting a MLS club

JOHN CANZANO

The Oregonian
October 19

"Soccer fans usually look very peaceful and merry when you see them dribbling a ball, or passing. So you can imagine my surprise this week when I received a pile of angry emails, threats and hostile voice mails from soccer fans who were upset with my interview of Major League Soccer chief Don Garber on Wednesday's BFT radio show on KXL. All I said to Garber was that MLS is minor league, and he's nuts if he thinks he can get public money to assist in bringing an expansion team here, and also, that if he's not going to answer a simple question in a simple interview, we might as well move on and take calls from callers. So I moved on. The podcast (Hour One of Wednesday's Bald-Faced Truth show) is available here if you want to catch up."

Read John's story here

 

MLS boss impressed with Portland's passion
Effusive about Portland's passion for soccer, but Herzog reckons it will be Seattle and an east coast city named for 2009

BOAZ HERZOG
The Oregonian
October 18

"Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said he felt Portland's passion for the sport Wednesday. From his chauffeur, who plays in an adult league, to the buzz at City Hall about Wednesday night's exhibition at PGE Park between the U.S. and Mexico women's national teams. "You get the feeling this is a passionate soccer community, which is very positive for Portland's chances for MLS expansion," Garber said.

But how much will it cost to bring PGE Park up to MLS standards? Determining that amount -- probably more than $20 million -- has become the next step in the bid to bring the highest level of U.S. soccer to Portland.

The league probably will name Seattle and an East Coast city as sites for the newest franchises, to begin play in 2009, Garber said."

Full story here

 

MLS sets second expansion-study Portland visit
The MLS inspectors head to Portland to view the facilities there. Are they competition for Seattle for that coveted 2009 expansion slot?

BOAZ HERZOG

The Oregonian
October 17

"Major League Soccer's top brass plans to revisit Portland today to analyze more closely the possibility of fielding an expansion team at PGE Park, officials said Tuesday. MLS commissioner Don Garber and league president Mark Abbott are scheduled to meet this afternoon with Merritt Paulson, who is negotiating to bring the highest level of U.S. soccer to Portland. In May, Paulson became owner of the Portland Timbers soccer franchise, which plays one notch below MLS, and the Portland Beavers, a Triple A baseball team. "

Full story here

 

MLS | Gooooal? City may soon have franchise
The latest speculation on the future of soccer in Seattle and the short term future of the Sounders

CRAIG WHITE

Seattle Times
October 11

"Seattle appears to be on the brink of getting a Major League Soccer franchise for 2009 now that Paul Allen has joined the potential ownership group. "Hopefully, some time this fall we will be in a position to have something to announce," said Seahawks vice president Gary Wright. The Seahawks are owned by Allen, and the MLS team would play at Qwest Field, which is operated by Allen's First and Goal company. Allen's Vulcan Sports and Entertainment has joined with Hollywood mogul Joe Roth and Seattle Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer to form the potential ownership group. Vulcan recently came aboard, and Hanauer called the development "certainly exciting.""

Full story here

 

Major League Soccer Announcement Tomorrow
A short piece about what role Qwest Field might play in the future of soccer here.

Seattlest
October 10

"Sometime this week it's going to be announced that Seattle's soccer team the Seattle Sounders will be entering the MLS. GOALSeattle says tomorrow. Our friend in Chicago who knows about these things says it'll be announced at MLS Cup, which isn't until November 18, so we'll discount that and say tomorrow. It seems pointless, by now, to argue whether or not it will be announced. The Sounders aren't selling 2008 season tickets, Paul Allen is involved, Qwest Field, although not a fan favorite as a MLS venue, is ready and willing. It's happening. Tomorrow."

Full story here

 

Seattle, Portland play MLS-franchise game
Article on the repercussions that the creation of an MLS team in Seattle would have on football in Portland.

BOAZ HERZOG

The Oregonian
October 10

"Reports in the past week indicated the league soon will name Seattle as its next expansion site. League officials denied an agreement has been finalized. But MLS officials said they remain in discussions with an investor group that includes movie studio executive Joe Roth and Adrian Hanauer, managing partner of the Seattle Sounders."

Full story here

 

Philadelphia Bids for MLS Place
Prime time for pro soccer in Delaware Valley?

By DANEL WALSH
PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY
October 7th

An article on the chances of Philadelphia's chances of securing an MLS franchise. Good overall discussion of what role fans play in the process.

Read the full story

 

Allen signs on with MLS effort
Action boosts bid for an expansion team in Seattle

By MATTHEW GASCHK
SPECIAL TO THE P-I
October 5th

Paul Allen has joined a potential ownership group for a Major League Soccer franchise in Seattle, lending more strength to a bid to get an expansion team that would presumably start play in 2009.

The Seattle group includes Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer and movie-studio executive Joe Roth, but the inclusion of the world's 19th-richest man, according to Forbes Magazine, was confirmed by Allen's First and Goal and Vulcan Sports and Entertainment groups Friday.

Read Matthew 's full story in the PI here.