Around the Sound of Soccer for October 16th

The Seahawks Pro Shop continues to add Sounders FC gear to its online inventory. The above lapel pin is one of the latest new items.

Fans continue to buzz about the possibility of Freddie Ljungberg coming to Seattle. Even more buzz has been created out of Sounders FC owner Joe Roth's bombshell that the club 'are only one player away from a starting eleven,' meaning that 10 players have been signed. This means that we'll have seven guys announced soon. Roth says it will happen over the next six weeks or so, and that the players 'come from all over the world.' Watch the video.

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Steve MacClare of ProstAmerika writes some of the best soccer articles in our area. Check out a recent interview Steve did with Sounders FC General Manager Adrian Hanauer and also his column over at the European Weekly.

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In college soccer, two west Sound clubs are getting some internet attention. In Bremerton the Olympic College women have a feature on player Brittnay Gates. Up north but still on the peninsula, the PCC Pirates of Port Angeles are getting exposure from a MySpace page constantly updated by parents and fans. Sticking with west sound, the Bremerton City Council narrowly approved the sale of wine and beer at a local privately owned indoor soccer venue that sits on park land. It is expected that the new 2009 Kitsap Pro Soccer Club will not be allowed to sell alcohol in their stadium.

In south sound the big rivalry matches between Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran saw a UPS sweep. The Logger women clinched the league while the men rallied to top the Lutes.

A bit further south the St. Martin's Saints are getting some press in The Olympian after their improvement over last year.

Did you miss the score from the "Coffee Cup?" In what some say could be the last meeting between long-time rivals Seattle University and Seattle Pacific, the Redhawks bumped off the Falcons 3-1 at Interbay earlier this week. The schools need to work out a plan to keep playing even after the Redhawks complete their move to NCAA Division One. See a match gallery here.

Giving 1000% for Sounders FC

We are kicking off a campaign to get our number of forum registrants up to 1,000 by Sounders FC kick off 2009!

There are lots of places around the web to drop by and talk about the Sounders, but let's pick GOALSeattle's forums as 'home base' where we all check in as often as we can.

The club's owners and players will read and are reading these boards. So do local and national journalists. So do hundreds of "guests" per day. Are you a frequent "guest?" We'd like to invite you to register and join the growing total!

Please register and add your voice to the growing throngs awaiting the arrival of Sounders FC!

Visitors to www.GOALTacoma.com and www.GOALKitsap.com should note that those sites now have forum areas at www.GOALSeattle.com!

Redhawks take "Coffee Cup" over SPU, 3-1

Andrew Kreiter assisted on the first goal of the match and scored late in the first half in Tuesday's 3-1 win over SPU. (Seattle University Athletics photo.)

From www.GoSeattleU.com: Senior Andrew Kreiter (Billings, Mont.) and sophomore Sean Morris (Bothell, Wash.) each earned a goal and an assist as the Seattle University men’s soccer team took the early lead and held on to defeat Seattle Pacific, 3-1, Tuesday night at Interbay Stadium.

Seattle University jumped on the board first just over five minutes into the match as Kreiter received a pass from Morris in stride as he was trailing the play down the left side of the field. His crossing pass reached Kyle Peterman (Boise, Idaho), whose shot beat Seattle Pacific goalie Ben Lovelace for his fourth goal of the season.

The Redhawks continued to pressure the Falcon defense in the first half, earning several chances as the half went along. After Seattle Pacific was called for a foul with just over 15 minutes left in the half, Morris bent in a free kick from the left side into the net for his second goal of the season. Just over three minutes later, Kreiter blasted a shot from the top of the box into the right corner for his third tally of the season.

Seattle Pacific (4-6-3) came out of the locker room after halftime more aggressive, challenging the Seattle University defense several times. The Falcons broke through with just over 18 minutes remaining in the second half, as Enis Isufi was able to convert a crossing pass from Elliot Morton from close range to cut the Redhawk lead to two.

Emerson DeOliveira (Normandy Park, Wash.) finished with three saves to pick up his fourth victory of the season. Lovelace made four saves in the first half for the Falcons, while relief goalie Kaleb Kuehn did not need to make a save in the second half. Seattle University finished with 14 shots, seven of them on goal, while four of the Falcons’ 12 shots were on goal.

Seattle University (7-3-1) heads south to face the University of Portland Friday, Oct. 17, beginning at 4:30 p.m. After a two-week layoff, the Redhawks host Simon Fraser University in the final home match of the season Saturday, Nov. 1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Championship Field.

Can Freddie still play?

Note: We pass along player rumors in an effort to grow the buzz for Sounders FC. No first-hand knowledge is known about possible players, but multiple sources have contacted us to say Seattle are talking with Ljungberg. Only time will tell if he actually joins Sounders FC. Other Sounders fan sites are talking Ljungberg, too: SounderatHeart.com GoSounders.com WeAreECS.com. Here's our initial report from yesterday.


Can Freddie still play?

That's the next question for Sounders FC fans as they contemplate a possible club attempt to sign the former Arsenal star.

West Ham United released Ljungberg this summer and ended a 4-year deal after only a short spell. Questions have flown in Europe about how serious Freddie is taking the sport these days, as well as how healthy he is.

Ljungberg's time at West Ham overshadows his stellar career with Arsenal.

He began life as a Hammer with the right attitude:

"I am happy to be back to full strength with my body," Ljungberg, who has struggled due to injury this season, told the club's official website.

"I feel strong and have had lots of time to recover."

Soon enough it was all over, though:

"I gave my all at West Ham and enjoyed my time there," said Ljungberg on West Ham's official website, "But the decision is the best for the both of us. Now I will take my time to consider my football future."

Contrast that with his excellent career with Arsenal and Sounders FC fans can be forgiven for scratching their heads and wondering which player would show up if Freddie wears a rave green kit in 2009.

Career stats posted on his wiki page don't detail the number of assists. Ljungberg's best goal-scoring season came in 2001-2 with Arsenal (17). In his last three seasons Freddie has scored just 2 goals each campaign.

His numbers are in decline, so how's the attitude?

"Given his dedication and contribution to the team's success it is important to state that Freddie is a valuable member of our squad," said (Arsenal's Arsene) Wenger. "Although I can't predict the future, (his) experience and winner's attitude means he still has a lot to offer."




SoccerByIves.net is running a poll to see what MLS fans think of Ljungberg as a Seattle 'Designated Player.' As of this post, after over 1,200 votes, fans are against Freddie getting DP status, 57-42%

The Internet is on fire...

Literally, with news involving Major League Soccer and Sounders FC.

Starting locally, owner Joe Roth has told the club website (watch video) that "We're one short of a starting squad," (meaning ten players are wrapped up but not yet announced). "In the next six weeks watch for announcements of players being signed from around the world."

Are two of those players Freddy Montero and Freddie Ljungberg?

In Major League Soccer expansion news Miami is abuzz after FC Barcelona have decided to put in a bid for a 2011 expansion franchise. They join Ottawa as most-recent applicants along with Atlanta, Vancouver and Portland. The deadline is Wednesday October 15th, and MLS is expected to announce the applicants this week.

The Major League Soccer Players Union released their latest compilation of player salaries.

Ljungberg: Are You Interested?

Update: SoccerByIves.net has linked to us and added that they have a source who confirms club interest.

We were passed along a rumor recently that Sounders FC are looking into bringing Swedish National Team Player, former Arsenal great and male model Freddie Ljungberg to Seattle as a possible designated player.

Are you interested? Should Sounders FC be?

Ljungberg was paid a hefty £6 million by West Ham to 'go away' this August. The club did it as a money-saving move after it was clear to them that Freddie was not going to be in their future plans. Does this mean that Ljungberg is 'washed up?' Clubs such as Roma have remained interested, but so far he's not caught on with anyone despite being 'on a free' in which the club that signs him would not owe a transfer fee.


In his prime Freddie was adored by fans at Arsenal, and was named by the supporters there to the Gunners all-time starting eleven.

Freddie has been a sensation off of the pitch with his striking looks and penchant to share most of his physique with the world via underwear modeling.


If this sounds even remotely like another west coast designated player, you're on to one reason why Sounders FC might want Ljungberg. While not as popular around the world as David Bechkam, none the less Freddie has a similar rock star persona that would sell jerseys abroad and tickets on world tours.

Ljungberg was a winger with Arsenal, and Sounders FC might be covered in that area with Sanna Nyassi, Sebastien Le Toux and possibly Josh Gardner. Maybe move Ljungberg to the middle?

But can he still play, and is he healthy? We can't know the answer to those questions, but if he is healthy then I don't doubt that he could adjust to several different midfield roles in MLS.



Would Seattle get enough 'bang for its buck' with Freddie as the DP? Well, he's certainly marketable and has world recognition. His 'face' seems to translate well across cultural lines. Then we get back to the 'on a free' part. It might be the most tempting reason to try Ljungberg. He'd just require a salary, likely enhanced with endorsement deals. Sounders FC could sign him walking in the front door and owe nothing to another club.

While we've said in the past that an attacking creative midfielder in the vein of Argentine Guillermo Schelotto would be ideal, it is time to wonder if this Swede might just be offering enough of that to get Seattle to bite.

Ljungberg will turn 32 next April.

See what GoSounders.com has to say about Ljungberg.

Whitecaps keep the cup in Cascadia

The Vancouver Whitecaps kept the USL Championship in Cascadia for the fourth straight season with a 2-1 victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders on Sunday.

It is amazing that Seattle and Vancouver have played ping-pong with the title since 2005.

Last four USL Champions:
2005-Seattle
2006-Vancouver
2007-Seattle
2008-Vancouver



In 2009 Sounders FC are off to Major League Soccer while the Whitecaps will remain in the USL through at least 2010. Vancouver has applied for a MLS club for the 2011 season. An announcement on who gets in then is likely sometime next spring.

Click for more flickr photos.

Fall-themed SSFC Wallpapers

My trip east to Leavenworth produced some fall photos. Now three of them are available with the Sounders FC crest for your desktop.

Around the Sound of Soccer for October 12th

Here's the latest buzz from pro and college soccer from around the Sound...


Adrian Hanauer talks with ProstAmerika's Steve McClare about his new passion, Sounders FC.

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The October 9th Seattle Soccer Show is now online with Jason Farrell as a guest.

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The USL Sounders have matches left to play, in Argentina. Read more from Frank MacDonald at www.SoundersFC.com

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From the Sounders FC rumor mill: Inside talk has been passed along to us so we are passing it right along to you. Is Freddie Ljungberg a possible Designated Player option? Apparently the club are looking seriously at him.

The latest on Colombian striker Freddy Montero is that he played for his national team in their 1-0 loss to Paraguay on Saturday. Our source says his coming to Seattle is a 'done deal' and that is in part why Hanauer and Henderson have been to South America so often recently.

Meanhwile, on the head coaching front, it has been passed along to us that the 'hold-up' with naming Brian Schmetzer the first coach is over concern that the club does not want the first year or two to be 'on the job training' for their coach. They want to make the playoffs and contend in 2009. There is discussion not about if Schmetzer could eventually be a top MLS coach, but how soon. There is also a growing feeling that Columbus Crew will 'break the bank' to hang on to Sigi Schmid.

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Matt Gaschk talks with Crossfire's Kelyn Rowe about his flashy style and big league hopes.

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In college soccer action the University of Washington Men beat Oregon State 2-1 Friday night in Corvallis. The UW Women lost a 3-2 overtime heart breaker at #5 USC.

The Seattle University Redhawks Women beat San Francisco 2-1 in the Bay Area.

The SPU Falcon Men split a big win and an upset loss as they topped Western before being shocked at home by St. Martin's.

The Falcon Women won their battle with the Saints, 4-1.

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Tacoma Tide FC are keeping track of how the boys in yellow are doing in their college experiences.

Blog resumes on Sunday the 12th

GOALSeattle's blog and front page will not be updated again until Sunday October 12th at the earliest.

It's time for our annual trek to Leavenworth for Oktoberfest.

I've leave you with this video of 'Swamp Soccer.' Man, that must hurt the legs.