Imagine MLS...

Just imagine what Major League Soccer will be like one day when matches like last night's thrilling SuperLiga Final become more commonplace.

I was very impressed with Houston Dynamo's consistent pressure and ball control, and with New England's competitive nature and ability to rally twice from one-goal deficits.

Finally it was all decided in overtime with a goal apiece, and then penalty kicks. Naturally, as any classic would require, the pk session went into extra kicks. In the 8th round the Revolution won the Mexican-American tournament trophy in the all-Yanks Final.

Here are the highlights. Imagine someday Sounders FC being involved in a classic like this...

Keller and Eylander announced together?

Sounders FC have made a very nice habit of doing things the 'right way' so far as they build momentum to kick off 2009.

Could the next 'right move' be announcing the signing of the current and very near-future goalkeepers as signed together at the same press conference?

Picture it: Kasey Keller at the Qwest Field microphone talking about why he didn't sign with another club somewhere around the world this fall. "I wanted to end my career in Seattle," he might say. "I couldn't pass up the chance to play one more season and help the next generation along, too." Picture Chris Eylander sitting next to him as Keller eventually tosses it over to the University of Washington graduate.

Picture Adrian Hanauer sitting between the once and future goalkeeping stars, and after graciously praising Kasey, turning to Chris and saying "we believe that with Kasey and Chris we have the best of both worlds in front of our nets. We've got the experience and star power and the rising youth and potential. We've got a duo that can lead Sounders FC in 2009 and then well beyond after Kasey transitions to other club duties."

It isn't so difficult to picture this as possible, is it?

It would be yet another 'right move' bringing Seattle professional soccer closer to the world's game.

See also: Sounders' Eylander eyes MLS stardom

2009 Roster talk

Sounders FC have one signed player (Sebastien Le Toux) but have many options and angles as they look to build a club.

Here's some reading for you...

Beautiful Game blog does a nice job with roster speculation.

Some of the better teams in MLS are going to have good players available due to the deepness of their squads. (M) Khano Smith from New England and (M) Brian Carroll from Columbus should be available. (D, Chicago) Wilman Conde could probably be had, as long as he doesn't try and go to Europe in the offseason.

Soccer Seattle Style gets clues from Chris Henderson.

“There are some things I cannot tell you today but some very exciting things are about to happen. In the next month we will sign one or more players for the 2009 team. I am not at liberty to tell you their names but watch for some press releases in the next few weeks."

GOALSeattle gets a bit more from Adrian Hanauer.

"The college season, and the draft that follows will be critically important to getting a few good young players. Additionally, we are spending a lot of time analyzing the current MLS season and trying to figure out which players might be left unprotected in the expansion draft."

Roster talk is the most popular topic right now at www.SeattleSoccerTalk.com

Vulcan will oversee Sounders FC business operations

Seattle Sounders FC will have several different entities running various parts of its operations.

On the 'soccer side' Adrian Hanauer is in charge as General Manager. He has hired Chris Henderson as his Technical Director and Darren Sawatzky as Director of Youth Development. Current Seattle Sounders GM Bart Wiley will also be involved with Hanauer in the soccer and fan relations side of the club. Gary Boyle is already selling tickets with the Seahawks / Vulcan for Sounders FC.

Vulcan Sports and Entertainment will oversee all business operations including the following: media relations, marketing, retail and ticket sales.

First and Goal, Inc. (FGI), the entity that operates Qwest Field, will continue to provide all game day operations.

Sounders FC will have offices at Vulcan.

Many of the Seattle Seahawks NFL staff now have dual duties and titles with Sounders FC, as this page reflects.

Sounders bid to host US Open Cup Final

www.ProstAmerika.com tells us that the USL-1 Seattle Sounders have put in a bid to host the US Open Cup Final should they be fortunate enough to get past Charleston Battery in the semifinals August 12th.

Read the rest here.

The SOUND of soccer: over 50 matches coming your way

The SPU Falcon Women have 12 home matches at Interbay this Fall.
(Flickr.com photo by JimKim)

We've completed our "Local Match Calendar" updates for the Fall by adding home dates for Washington, Seattle University and Seattle Pacific Men and Women.

Soccer fans will have over 50 chances to see high level soccer over the next four months. Along with seven home matches down the stretch for the United Soccer Leagues Division One Seattle Sounders, there will be home matches for NCAA Division One Washington, and a smaller slate for NCAA Division One-transitioning Seattle University. The Seattle Pacific Falcons host a whopping 20 home matches this Fall at Interbay; 12 for the Women and 8 for the Men.

The local college home calendar kicks off on Friday, August 22 at 7:00 PM at Husky Soccer Field when the UW Huskies host Seattle University in what will be a preview of what promises to become a hotly contested cross-town Division One derby in the coming years.

Highline were CC champs a few years back.
(Highline soccer website)

In Puget Sound community college soccer action the season rolls out on August 29th.

Seattle-area action kicks off September 5th when Highline hosts Tacoma at 4:00 PM.

If you add in the community college matches you could spend almost every day between now and November watching soccer.

That's what I call the SOUND of soccer!

Seattle passes gut check in Puerto Rico

Nik Besagno slides for the ball. Josh Gardner defends for Seattle.
(PR Islanders)

The weather was hot, rainy and stormy on August 1st in Puerto Rico but the Sounders overcame a thunder delay and a late Islanders barrage to leave the Island with a big 2-1 victory.

Seattle's 'gut check' happened late when the Islanders pounded the Sounders' goal. Chris Eylander came up big several times and the defense cleared the ball off of the goal mouth in another scramble. The Sounders ended the red-hot Puerto Rico win streak at five.

Seattle's goals were scored by Le Toux (8th minute) and Gardner (60th).

The Sounders featured a young lineup with recent loan acquisition, Ciaran O'Brien, starting in place of injured central midfielder, Leighton O'Brien. Also getting his first start was midfielder Nik Besagno starting in place of injured midfielder, Kenji Treschuk.

The win was the Sounders second straight in league play; next up is a trip to Portland next Thursday night to take on the arch-rival Timbers on Fox Soccer Channel. Kick-off at PGE Park is set for 8:00 pm (PT).


Match Reports:
Seattle Sounders
Puerto Rico Islanders
ProstAmerika.com
Seattle Soccer Show Player Match Ratings

SeattleSoccerTalk.com talks college soccer!

www.SeattleSoccerTalk.com has special forum threads to talk about our local college clubs. Are you a Husky? Redhawk? Falcon? Perhaps a Bulldog? A Triton? A Trojan? A Gator? A Thunderbird? A Dolphin? A Cardinal? An Orca?

www.GOALSeattle.com will do its best to keep up with the local Division One, Two, Three and Community College soccer scene! You can help by posting and talking about your team.

Sounders FC join the party in Toronto

Adrian Hanauer talks about Sounders FC's recent trip to Toronto for the Major League Soccer All-Star experience over at www.SoundersFC.com:

"As with other travels with Chris, we’re seeking to make inroads in relationships and we’re asking lots of questions. We both have a lot to learn still, and there are lots of really smart, experienced people there whose brains we can pick. We conducted a lot of meetings that we had setup ahead of time with coaches, general managers and agents. Yes, agents.

Anywhere there are coaches, general managers and players in the same locations, you will find also agents. And given that the transfer window is open, there were lots of deals going down in the lobby every day.

Chris knows every coach in the league, and I know most of them. They’re our friends. That’s the flavor of this whole week. Sure, there are meetings, but it’s really more of a social event with meetings mixed in."

Wurzberger Begins Course To Obtain UEFA "A" Coaching License

SEATTLE - Washington men's soccer head coach Dean Wurzberger, who has been at the helm of the Husky program for the past 16 seasons, will travel to Shropshire, England for the first of a two-part course to obtain a UEFA "A" Coaching License, July 19-31.

The "A" license is one of the highest qualifications offered by the English Football Association. Part I of the course will be held at Lilleshal Hall National Sports Centre, while Wurzberger will attend the second part at the same location the following year.

Wurzberger earned entrance into the course due to his Scottish Football Association "A" coaching license which he obtained in 1987. He was the first American to receive the Scottish "A" license at the time.

Read the rest at the UW Men's soccer website page.