All-time club leading scorer Rory Agu will return to Tacoma Tide FC for 2009

Tacoma Tide FC recently got good news as they look ahead to defending their PDL Northwest Division crown. Rory Agu, a Tacoma native who is the club's all-time leading scorer, plans to return and play for TFC for a fourth straight year.

Rory will miss tryouts and pre-season training because he is in school in Fresno, California. However, he's struck a deal to train with a Tide playoff rival, the Fresno Fuego, to get ready for the season. In fact, Agu has been with the Fuego for nearly a month.

Agu's timing is just right in terms of getting some exposure. The Fresno Fuego will play the Major League Soccer San Jose Earthquakes on Friday February 20th, and Rory is likely to see some playing time against them.

Recently Rory kept his scoring touch alive with ten goals for Fresno City CC.

Tacoma Tide FC open their 2009 season May 13th with a visit to Seattle to help the Wolves make their PDL debut at Starfire.

Photo credit: A familiar scene in Tacoma; Rory Agu burning down the touchline. (Jenni Conner)

Rory scores the third Tide goal in the highlight reel below from 2008:

Quakes expose Sounders' shaky defense, 3-2

The GOALSeattle forums have been filled with posts since day one of camp over concern about the Sounders' defensive back line. Jeff Parke doesn't seem to want to play in Seattle and hasn't signed, while the deal for Costa Rican Roy Miller fell through due to health care issues for his pregnant girlfriend. All the while the names being brought into camp had "M" or "F" by them. Very few "D's." Still, how could you argue with giving up only two goals in three pre-season matches? Where was the proof that Seattle's defense may be suspect?

Last night's 3-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes provided some evidence for us defense-doubters. Even head coach Sigi Schmid slipped in a concern.

“In a game when you score two goals, it’s always a good thing. I thought Fredy Montero looked sharp. I thought his understanding with Nate (Jaqua) was very good. I thought offensively it was good,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid told SoundersFC.com. “In the first half, we made two mistakes and conceded two goals. And then we made a mistake early in the second half and conceded a third goal. So it’s still a case of we have to get a lot better defensively. People have to make better decisions. It’s not a matter of people being in the right places, it’s making the right decisions.”



I'm not sure if Sigi believes he has the right personnel in place in the back and they just are making 'bad decisions,' or if he already realizes more help (talent) is needed. Seattle's back line starters for the match were Nathan Sturgis, Tyson Wahl, Taylor Graham and James Riley. Kasey Keller was tagged with all three goals.

The defensive concerns coming to light overshadowed to a degree the continued sparkle of Colombian striker Fredy Montero. Fredy scored both of Seattle's goals and continues to gain experience and confidence in the attackers that surround him.

Tyrone Marshall, the recently acquired Jamaican central defender and national team captain has yet to see action for Seattle. The club is coming back home to train next week and he is expected to join them then.

Match reports:
SoundersFC.com
Tacoma News Tribune
SanLuisObispo.com
MercuryNews.com
ProstAmerika.com

Photo credit: Sigi Schmid talks with Kasey Keller in a photo by Rick Morrison that we've given a digital treatment to.

Sounders face Earthquakes tonight in Heritage Cup preview

The Sounders face the San Jose Earthquakes tonight in a pre-season match that is also a preview of the 2009 Heritage Cup. Kick off is at 7:00 PM from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. We are expecting SoundersFC.com to blog match updates here.

Fans in San Jose have been reaching out and working with fans in Seattle to create a cup that memorializes the history of the two clubs which dates back to 1974 in the North American Soccer League. The Heritage Cup begins in 2009 with Seattle and San Jose and awaits the possibility of other NASL cities joining Major League Soccer with their NASL club names intact. Read more about the Heritage Cup here. (Robert Stevenson designed the Heritage Cup logo and his wife Sarah is currently working on the 2009 poster).

Sounders FC are having a good week of training, especially results-wise, where the club are 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 11-2. It is quite another matter tonight as Seattle will face fellow MLS competition and will likely be going against many of the Earthquakes projected starters for at least the first half.

It has also been a busy week off the pitch for the Sounders, who have acquired defender Tyrone Marshall, traded winger Khano Smith and cut three former Sounders along with a few others as they sift through the camp player pool.

The Sounders and Quakes have met in friendlies over recent years and have also tangled several times in United States Open Cup knockout matches. Last year the United Soccer Leagues Sounders traveled to San Jose for an in-season friendly and upset the Earthquakes 2-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium.

Sounders roster cuts see Jackson and O'brien out

The longtime captain of the USL Sounders, Danny Jackson, and longtime midfielder and free kick specialist Leighton O'brien are among the latest cuts to the Sounders FC Major League Soccer roster.

Cut today: GK Kevin Guppy, D Danny Jackson, M Quavas Kirk, M Leighton O'Brien, M Ryan Pore, M Fernando Screpis and D Adam West.

Danny and Leighton were both with the Sounders when they won United Soccer League championships in 2005 and 2007. Best wishes to these two and thank you to all the previous Sounders players who have given us so much to be proud of over the years.

Read more about today's cuts at Prost Amerika.

Photo credit: Danny Jackson hoists the 2007 USL Championship Cup. (Jenni Conner)

Sounders fans in Ventura share a few photos; Smith trade finalized

Khano Smith's trade from Seattle to New York Red Bulls has been confirmed via this short Sounders FC press release.

*

Ellen Bayles and her family are Sounders fans and when they played last night in Ventura County California she and the gang showed up to support Seattle.

Ellen was especially impressed with the footwork of Fredy Montero.

Seattle won the pre-season match 6-1.

Thanks for sharing the photos, Ellen!

2-S-A! Another deuce and blank as Yanks beat Mexico

Enjoy the videos of match highlights and post-match reaction of the United States of America's opening win in this round of World Cup qualification. It was a blustery night in Columbus Ohio and the Yanks got two goals from the coach's son, Michael Bradley, including the clincher in stoppage time to keep a recent 2-0 USA scoreline string alive in the rivalry. Today is a great day to be a US soccer supporter!

Read about the victory at USsoccer.com

Read more here: Seattle misses out on a chance to host USA, USA-Mexico match recap

Sounders put a half-dozen past Ventura Fusion

Sounders FC scored a 6-1 win over the Ventura County Fusion of the PDL on Wednesday night in California in an exhibition training match. It was the first Sounders training match open to the public.

"The guys are getting to know each other a little bit better. The movement of the ball is pretty good. The quickness of Zakuani and Fredy Montero creates some problems," Head Coach Sigi Schmid told the club website. "When we had opportunities we used them and were very decisive."

On Jose Romero's Seattle Times Blog Schmid added: "It was important for us as a young team, we're starting to get to know each other offensively. For us getting goals tonight, and not just getting goals, but the type of goals we got, the combination plays...That's what I was most happy about."

Two-goal scorer Steve Zakuani, the number one draft choice in Major League Soccer, said after the match: "Coach always says, 'it's always better to win then to lose.' He's right about that. It doesn't matter who you're playing. It doesn't matter which level they're at. It's preseason for us an expansion team, it's an important time of the year. And to keep winning like that, it's going to give us a confidence going into that first game against New York."

In the Ventura County Star, one quote of Zakuani read “He dominated, we couldn’t close down fast enough,” Fusion midfielder Anton Peterlin said of the top overall pick in January’s MLS Super Draft.



Sounders goal scorers: Steve Zakuani (2), Nate Jaqua (2), Fredy Montero, Roger Levesque.

Starting Lineup for Seattle: Chris Eylander, Evan Brown, Tyson Wahl, Patrick Ianni, Nathan Sturgis, Steve Zakuani, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Lamar Neagle, Nate Jaqua, Fredy Montero.

2nd half starters for Seattle : Eylander, Zach Scott, Taylor Graham, Ryan Caugherty, Quavas Kirk, Emerald George, Stephen King, Roger Levesque, Ryan Pore, Leighton O'Brien, Jeff Clark

Photo credit: Steve Zakuani scored twice against Ventura County as the Sounders won another pre-season match. (Rick Morrison)

Wolves update: foreign talent, Nike and top spot

GOALSeattle.com is increasing its coverage of all high-level Puget Sound area soccer, including the various clubs run by Seattle Wolves FC. You can talk about the Wolves in their specific forum here. We've recently uploaded some Wolves wallpapers for your computer desktop. Get them here.

Feb. 11: Trialists from Abroad Create Waves at Open Tryouts

Among the 45 trialists on hand for the first Seattle Wolves FC Open Tryout of 2009 were standouts Jess Semnacher and brothers Daniel and Martin Hunt.

Semnacher, a 25 year old defender, recently returned from Spain where he had been playing in the regional 1st division for Carranza and San Sebastian de Los Reyes. His United States experience includes two seasons with the St. Louis Lions of the USL-PDL.

Martin and Daniel Hunt, originally from Guilford, England, recently moved to Kelowna, BC with their family, and made the seven hour trip across the border to try out for the Wolves. Daniel, 17, and Martin, 20, both played youth football in the United Kingdom for sides such as the Chelsea FC u17s, Woking FC and Guilford City.

All three commented that their main reason for attending tryouts spawned from their own professional aspirations and the fact that the Wolves are an "up and coming club".

Alex Weaver, Wolves' Technical Director, said "These were three of the more impressive trialists." Although the Wolves don't have plans to get Martin and Daniel involved immediately, because the two reside in BC, they will maintain contact with the young, attacking minded players, and may even face off against the brothers in PCSL action this Summer when the Wolves compete against BC clubs such as the Okanagan Challenge and the Kamloops Excel.

Feb. 9: Wolves Partner with Nike

The Seattle Wolves Football Club reached an agreement with Nike recently, which will make the sporting giant the Wolves Official Partner and Supplier through 2012.

The Seattle Wolves have always worn Nike, even at the very beginning, when the Wolves were only a local pub team competing in the Greater Seattle Soccer League. "Now we won't have to pay for so much of it!" joked Wolves' Assistant General Manager, Clay Walton-House. "The Wolves strategic partnership with Nike officially confirms what the Wolves' management team has always believed; Nike is the apparel and equipment brand in line with the Wolves' brand." Walton-House continued.

The Wolves will unveil their new 2009 Nike uniforms during the PCSL pre-season, at a match to be determined.

Wolves' General Manager, Andrew Opatkiewicz, commented "We are very excited to partner with Nike, and hope that this is only the beginning of a long-lasting relationship, which is mutually beneficial and creates exciting projects."

Feb. 8: Wolves Win Two to Take Sole Possession of SPSL Premier Table

The Seattle Wolves FC SPSL squad had two league matches this past week. Winning both has put the Wolves atop the SPSL Premier standings with 5 matches to play. This Saturday the Wolves face off against division rival, UW Club, currently in fourth spot. The Wolves have had many hotly contested matches versus UW in the past. The next chapter in the growing rivalry kicks off at 9:00pm inside the Starfire Sports Stadium.

Newcomers Devin Shull and Matt Eronemo got their first starts in Seattle Wolves kit on Saturday, but were unable to put the Wolves on the scoreboard in the first half against FC Parkland Youth. Parkland is the offseason home to many of Pacific Lutheran University's current and former players. A decent side with standouts such as winger Jason Bjorgo and midfielder Andy Hyres, Parkland challenged the Wolves in the first half, but were unable to score either.

Shortly into the second half the Seattle Wolves, led by midfielders Willie Cardenas and Gabe Sturm, took control of the match, scoring three goals by the 73rd minute. Cardenas assisted on the first two, one coming off a corner from the head of defender Daniel Scott, and the other slotted home by Gabe Sturm. Halftime substitute, Walter Antoniuk scored in the 73rd minute when a penetrating run down the right flank by fullback Eduardo Millan produced a deep cross, which Walter finished far post first-time.

Parkland tallied a late goal after a defensive let down allowed winger Jason Bjorgo to penetrate the Wolves defensive third. Bjorgo's crafty moves assisted Andy Hyres, at the top of the box, who finished calmly.

For full reports visit SeattleWolvesFC.com.

Nyassi's brace lifts Sounders over Chinese champs 2-0

Sounders FC midfielder Sanna Nyassi, a native Gambian, scored two second-half goals as the Sounders fielded new line-ups and went on to beat defending champions Shandong Luneng of the Chinese Super League 2-0 in a training match at Oxnard, CA. The match result was updated live via the Sounders Insider Blog on SoundersFC.com

Nyassi is the buzz name of the early days of training games for Seattle. On Monday he scored and goal and notched an assist as Seattle beat LA Galaxy.

The first goal was scored when Stephen King, the only holdover from the first half, sent a ball over the top to Sanna Nyassi on the right side and Nyassi chipped it over the Shandong keeper in the 56th minute.

The second goal was scored when Sebastien Le Toux launched the ball over the offside trap to the speedy Nyassi, who found himself 1one on one with the keeper. Nyassi drew the keeper out of the box and went around him, leaving nothing between him and the goal but open turf. He dribbled to point-blank range and hammered it in for the 2-0 lead. Nyassi now has three goals and an assist in the first two exhibition games.

On his Tuesday lineup, head coach Sigi Schmid said “It was important for us to see how different guys reacted. We had a chance to be able to use some guys in different positions like Evan Brown at left back, and see what he could do there. And we had Sebastien (Le Toux) up front again to see what he could do there. It was good.”

Schmid on Sanna Nyassi’s performance: “He obviously has good speed. If a team is going to play an offside trap, then a player like him or if we had played a player like Steve Zakuani, are going to tear a team like that apart. So that’s what Sanna did. He finishes goals well. The first one he finished very well by chipping it over him. The timing of his run was very good. Roger (Levesque) made a very unselfish run to open up that space for him. He was very effective. He’s a dangerous player. He’s the kind of player that is the kind of guy that can impact the game by coming off the bench, or being in the starting lineup.”

Schmid on different combinations making roster decisions difficult: “Things are always difficult. That’s what they’re supposed to do. Supposed to make my job as difficult as possible. If they’re not doing that then they’re not doing a good job. But actually it’s also pretty easy. I think some decisions have become pretty clear. At this stage, things are in our minds getting to pretty much a sharp final point.”

Reports and quotes provided by Sounders FC.

Photo credit: Rick Morrison

Sounders get central defender Tyrone Marshall from Toronto FC

The Sounders are addressing their lack of MLS experience in the back line with this latest move: bringing 12-year league veteran Tyrone Marshall to Seattle from Toronto for allocation money. The initial response from some Sounders fans is less than enthusiastic, with most seeing Marshall as an old, one year stop-gap move. The club press release is below.

It is also being reported that Khano Smith may be on his way to New York Red Bulls.

RENTON, Wash. - Seattle Sounders FC acquired defender Tyrone Marshall from Toronto FC in a trade for an undisclosed amount of allocation money, it was announced Tuesday.

Marshall, 34, started 39 games at central defender for Toronto since being obtained from the L.A. Galaxy midway through the 2007 Major League Soccer season. He is currently playing with the Jamaican National Team in England. Jamaica plays Nigeria in a friendly on Wednesday night (February 11) in London.

“The addition of Tryone brings us speed and experience to our back four,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “He’s a player I know well from my time in Los Angeles. He has two rings to his name and that championship mentality is something we can always use.”

A veteran of 11 MLS seasons, Marshall played five-plus seasons with the L.A. Galaxy (2002-07). He was a two-time MLS All-Star and a member of the Galaxy’s MLS Cup-winning teams in 2002 and 2005, and also helped L.A. win the U.S. Open Cup in 2005.

Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid was the Galaxy coach from 1999-2004.

Marshall has appeared in 248 career MLS regular-season games, starting 221. He has totaled 13 goals and 17 assists. Marshall was drafted out of Florida International by Colorado in 1998, then traded during that season to Miami, where he played through 2001.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Acquired D Tyrone Marshall from Toronto FC for allocation money

Position: Defender

Height: 6-2

Weight: 195

Hometown: Lauderhill, Florida

DOB: 11/12/1974 in Kingston, Jamaica

Last Club: Toronto FC (MLS)