More news: MLS Cup and QFC

The build up to kick off 2009 continues and so does the tidal wave of soccer news.

Over on our Seattle Soccer Examiner Page we've got details on Seattle's soon-to-be official awarding to host Major League Soccer's Final at Qwest this November.

In the GOALSeattle Forums we've posted an ad from grocery chain QFC. They will be the 'official grocer' of the Sounders, and they've got a $5 t-shirt deal and Sounders player appearances going on. The QFC ad starts WEDNESDAY MARCH 11th.

Want to know how much the Sounders players make? See here. Dave Clark from Sounder at Heart looks at the numbers.

A poll on MLS-Daily.com has some good results for Sounders fans. Prost Amerika has the scoop.

GoSounders.com has the news of the Sounders' Spanish-language radio broadcasts.

"Sounders Fan Insider" posts virtual tour of Xbox Pitch

Drool, drool...and counting the hours and days...

Greg Roth was inside Qwest Field Friday and through the Sounders Fan Insider's eyes and lens we get a sneak peek at "Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field."

See ten photos at Seattle Soccer Examiner.

The entire gallery is here.

Photos: Sounders arrive at SeaTac after Argentina trip; Video: Freddie Ljungberg

Sounders FC have arrived...back in Seattle after a trip to train in Argentina. A smattering of fans were on hand at SeaTac Airport to greet the players, who will now spend the next 12 days getting ready for the home opener at Qwest Field March 19 against New York.

See more photos in our slide show. (Photos courtesy of Greg Roth)

Freddie Ljungberg also is back in the Emerald City:

First season tickets arriving

A fan got his season tickets today!

Lucky for us he also posted in the GOALSeattle forums with several photos of the blessed package!

Be sure to login to the forums and give a shout when you get yours!

See the thread and more photos here! See Gregro's Facebook photos!

Time to VOTE in the flag contest!

The GOALSeattle flag contest is entering its final weekend as the four finalists are now done and their flags are being put up to a public vote on the GS forums!

The winning flag / maker gets a full 2009 south end season ticket! The Sounders have added to the prize winnings, too! The club will give a jersey to the second-place winner and a signed Kasey Keller soccer ball to the third place finisher!

Two judges will decide the winner. If they can't agree then the public vote will break the tie.

Register in the forums here and then go to the voting thread and cast your vote by Sunday March 8th!

KISW: The scarfage continues...

I am not sure what to say about this video. What do you think? Like they always say..."You've got a face for radio!" Watch for the middle finger and a Sounders FC scarf coming out of a guy's fly. Hey, it's a Seattle 'rock' station.

Sounders have Seattle 'by the neck,' and other news

It has been a crazy day in the Emerald City with the Wexley 'viral' add campaign doing just what it is supposed to do. We've got more on the scarves that ate Seattle here.

We've got scoop today about some of the match day activities the club are planning for fans.

There is a bit of actual soccer news today, too. Fans in the GS forums reported it first: Jarrod Smith has been put on the injured list by Seattle. Jarrod who?

NextSeasonSports.com has a look at how Qwest could become the Sounders' 12th Man.

Two Whitman College boys (Walla Walla) are off to England to explore the 'beautiful game.'

Happy scarfing!

Wexley Sounderfies Seattle!

We've got the scoop over on our Examiner page. Wexley School For Girls are going to let Seattle know what's up today with a giant Sounders scarf on the Tullys building near I-5, among other coolness. See also: ScarfSeattle.com

Fans are talking about the 'viral marketing effort' in the GS forums.

The Sounders lost 1-0 to River Plate today in Argentina. Quick! Get on that plane.

Speaking of planes, if this is your bag, the club are encouraging fans to meet the Sounders at the airport tomorrow.

Did you miss the behind the scenes blog about the Wexley Sounders billboards? Check it out here. Hmm...one of those ardent scarf-wavers sure looks a lot like...me!

ESPN / Ives posts a season preview of the Sounders here.

Seattle: sleeping 'soccer giant' reawakens

Visit GOALSeattle.com's extensive soccer museum for much more on all three 'versions' of the Sounders.

Professional soccer is on the rise in Seattle with the imminent debut of Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. 32,400 fans will pack the lower bowl of Qwest Field on March 19 as Seattle hosts New York Red Bulls in the city's first-ever MLS match. The club have capped season ticket sales at 22,000. For those of us who have passionately followed all three incarnations of the "Sounders," March 19 will feel like a brand new beginning with serious deja vu undercurrents.
Seattle, the 'sleeping giant' of soccer in the Northwest, has reawakened. Here's a look back at Sounders attendances in which we'll also be visiting with some local soccer writers and Sounders fans who are following the new club with their own internet presences. Read the entire article at my Seattle Soccer Examiner Page!

Behind the scenes of the USA- Mexico rivalry

Go behind the scenes of the United States - Mexico soccer rivalry in this video feature leading up to and including the night of February 11, 2009 when the two faced off in Columbus Ohio in a World Cup qualifying match.