David Falk has followed soccer in the Puget Sound region since 1974. This blog covers Sounders FC, local college soccer, Seattle Wolves FC, Tacoma Tide FC and Kitsap Pumas. Send tips or comments to: goalseattle@gmail.comClick logos for specific club blogs & news
Does it seem like it has been only nine months since April 7, 2008, when the name "Seattle Sounders FC" was announced at the Space Needle? Or does it seem longer?
The USA will host Sweden in a friendly in LA on January 24th in preparation for their regional World Cup qualifier with Mexico in Columbus on February 11th.
We haven't checked in with Sounders FC General Manager Adrian Hanauer in a while, so we thought we'd do that today...
Our questions are numbered and Hanauer's answers appear in blue.
1. Can you explain the allocation process in MLS? Do Sounders FC have a deadline to ask for / use these funds?
Allocation money comes from various sources... expansion, order of finish in the league, transfer fees, etc... It can be used to buy down salaries or to acquire players. The specific amounts of allocation are not disclosed. We have 2 years in which to use our expansion allocation money.
2. Sigi Schmid is used to having control over player issues from his days at Columbus. Can you talk a bit about how that subject was addressed with Sigi, and how the player personnel 'team' is combining efforts going forward?
It really wasn't an issue. Sigi will have significant control, but work within the confines of a team atmosphere. Sigi wants to win. In winning organizations, everyone has their role and area of expertise. It will be no different within our organization.
3. Freddy Montero has been on the lips and in the forums for Sounders fans over recent weeks. If you can't talk about Freddy specifically yet, can you address the way Sounders FC handles player purchases? Is it a goal or policy of the club to purchase up and coming players even if they might never wear a Seattle uniform? To make money in the transfer market? Would Sounders FC consider combining with a second club to share a player's rights?
You are correct. I can't really comment. However, I can tell you that for Sounders FC to purchase the rights to players is very difficult. Any funds spent to acquire rights, count against the salary cap. Loans are more likely solutions to transfer fees.
4. How many hours a day are you working on Sounders FC projects these days? 95% of my time is spent on Sounders FC. If you ask my girlfriend, she will tell you that I work 16 hours per day, 7 days per week. Given the world market... it truly is a 24/7 position. But, it's not quite like working in a coal mine!
5. How are the Starfire facilities coming along?
Facilities are coming along nicely. Not all parts of the expansion will be completed by the beginning of training camp, but given our trips to California and Argentina for pre-season... we are most concerned about being able to move in more permanently on approximately March 10th.
6. When can fans anticipate might be the first time (practice) that they can see the Sounders live out on the pitch?
The Coaching Staff and the rest of the organization are beginning to sort through which training sessions may/may not be open to the public. Check back with me on this issue.
I am shocked---shocked!---at the open way in which a well-known Seattle soccer mom who also hangs out at GOALSeattle.com has opened up about her adventures as a Sounders fan over the years. OK, maybe not too shocked.
"We're well-behaved here, and it's not like we've never seen a metrosexual before, so Freddie will probably be able to go to Fred Meyer in peace. Unless he shows up in his Calvins."
We've been waiting for this announcement for a while, but it still comes as great news to report that Sounders FC have signed standout goalkeeper Chris Eylander to an MLS contract!
Chris has played three stellar seasons in goal for the United Soccer Leagues Sounders and will now be able to learn behind Kasey Keller as he prepares to be our 'goalkeeper of the future,' right now.
We are less than two weeks away from the 2009 Major League Soccer SuperDraft and buzz is growing that Sounders FC may keep their number one drafting spot and choose Akron Zip forward Steve Zakuani. Blogs SoccerByIves and 3rdDegree.net both have the junior scoring ace listed as now having signed for Generation Adidas and thus becoming eligible for the draft a year early. SBI further predicts that Sigi Schmid, who must have seen Zakuani multiple times when he was coaching Columbus Crew in the same state, loves the player and will select him. As early as December 12th Zakuani's 'defection' to MLS was suggested.
MLS-Draft.net interviewed Zakuani in December. They asked the London resident which current star player most-represents his own style of play. "I've been asked this question a lot and I still don't have an answer because I don't feel that my game is identical to anyone's. There are attacking players who I have learned from and I try to incorporate the things I see them do, into my own game, but at the same time, I don't feel that there is a player out there who I play like. I've tried to develop my own style even though I've watched videos of Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Robinho hundreds of times and have taken a lot of things from all the top players."
"When I was 17, I wrote down a long list of everything I wanted to do before I die on a piece of paper," Zakuani told Mac-Sports.com in an Q & A session. "So far, I've only done two or three of the things I wrote down, and so I have to say that my biggest fear is the thought of not accomplishing everything I had on that list. The list ranges from playing pro soccer, to flying a plane."
Over at our Examiner.com page we've got an exclusive interview with Eugene Poublon, the guy who stars with all of those dazzling soccer moves in the Sounders Super Search commercials now airing locally on KING 5 TV. Eugene's quite a guy, and even has pro soccer roots with Ajax of Holland.
"My players love the tricks," says the coach, "Everyone has different ones they like. I am very glad that people are enjoying it."
I've been busy writing my "Five clubs, five questions" series on the GS blog. Meanwhile over the last week or so we've had Sounders FC news and writing worthy of note, too.
Tom Dutra was named Sounders FC goalkeeping coach. This move has the stamp of approval of Kasey Keller and seems to all but insure that gifted USL Sounders 'keeper Chris Eylander will join Seattle MLS as well.
Sounders' writer Frank MacDonald shares some personal history involving his family and how he became intertwined with Seattle and Sounders soccer history on SoundersFC.com.
Buzz at 3rdDegree.net is busy ranking the prospects for the MLS SuperDraft to be held in less than two weeks. Sounders FC still hold the number one overall pick.
Dave Clark asks then answers the question "How good is MLS?" in his SounderatHeart.com blog.
We've reached the top level of Puget Sound soccer and the top club in our region in our "Five Questions" series. In 2009 all other local sides will fight it out in the shadows of the debut of Seattle Sounders FC into Major League Soccer.
Five questions for Sounders FC
1. Can Sounders FC present a truly 'world class' soccer experience at Qwest Field?
Major League Soccer fans on messages boards around the country have been obsessing about Qwest Field's soccer pedigree since the day Seattle was awarded an MLS franchise. We are 2 1/2 months away from our first home match, and they are waiting to see if Sounders management can make good on their promise to make Qwest "great" for soccer. The to-do list includes a pristine pitch for every match (no NFL lines), soccer-friendly staff that 'get' what footie fans are like, 100% open concessions, non-intrusive public announcements, a willingness to let the fans create the atmosphere. So...what's going to happen?
2. Who are these season ticket holders, and do they like to make noise? Nearly as big a mystery as our future starting roster is who all of the people are that have come out of the woodwork and bought Sounders season tickets. It's all good, but I can't help but wonder what percentage of ticket members are Seahawks holders just giving MLS 'a try.' Will they like what they see? Do they 'get the game?' Can they bring the noise, world soccer style?
3. Is Sigi 'up for it?'
Take a breath, Mr. Schmid. Now comes the really hard part. You'll need to be a master conductor to get the new Seattle team playing a happy tune. You've graciously complimented Adrian Hanauer and Chris Henderson on the players they handed off to you last month. I hope you can get them playing as a team sooner rather than later. I'd rather be counting victories than minutes between goals scored in 2009. You've also said you are not 'starting from scratch.' Here's hoping you don't do too much 'head scratching' when training camp kicks off in a few weeks.
4. How will the Ljunberg saga play out?
Freddie has had the surgery that is supposed to decrease the likelihood of further hamstring injuries. When he rejoins the club he will have missed all of training camp and Sigi will have had to build an attack without him. If that attack is successful minus Ljungberg, will Sigi keep Freddie benched? Was Seattle's DP signing a mistake? Will the Sounders look back and wish they had Freddie's salary to spread around other club needs? If Freddie is a success, will he become the talk of the town?
5. Can Kasey keep them out?
Kasey Keller will defend a goal while wearing a 'Seattle' crest for the first time in his long career. How will he do? He's been chomping at the bit to get going, but once he does will he like what he's been chomping for?
Can he organize a defense that has never played together before? Will he feel 'heat' from Chris Eylander as a back-up, or will he feel 'secure' as a starter to the point of distraction?
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