Scarf Seattle to Return and More

by Dave Clark on Mar 11, 2009 7:11 PM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

If you don't have a scarf yet (which would be foolish) Scarf Seattle is about to return. Head to Ballard and Madison Park on Friday to see the scarfing in action. This will give you the opportunity to Wear Your Scarf to Work on Friday. Wear your colors with pride. I now know dozens at Starbucks SSC (HQ) that will be doing this. Grow the sport people.

There is a ton of other news.

The MLS Cup Final will be in Seattle on Sunday November 22nd in the evening so it only goes up against NFL Sunday on NBC. That gives a solid opportunity to beat those old ratings. And they will have more fans there than any of those tiny SSS can hold. Remember Qwest is a SSS - just bigger.

Also, I'm hoping that sections of the Upper Deck are set aside for supporters from each of the league's teams, including Philadelphia and the two new expansion teams.

710 ESPN Seattle has its lineup out. Basically the live and local is from noon until post-game wraps up between 10P and Midnight. Sounders FC's play-by-play guy hosts from 3-6PM.

Duane did his Sounders FC preview today. I'm going to offer a counter in full tomorrow, but give it a read. He's the best soccer blogger North of the 49th.

Expansion News - it really looks like a three horse race now.

In Portland the city council approved the stadium plans 3-2. But there is a 15M$ hole in the budget, but still its probably puts Portland in a good position overall.

In St. Louis Anheuser-Busch has pledged funding for the expansion bid. With A-B being a huge league sponsor this helps Cooper and St.Louis a ton. I think this puts them in the 2011 hunt.

Vancouver BC seems to be fine. The Winter Olympics can only help the situation, and the money is there. Qwest has proved that a SSS doesn't have a size limit, its really about revenue control. The future Whitecaps don't have that, but everything else seems set. A Canadian national TV contract, one or two local drivable rivals and of course Toronto.

Could MLS still take 3 if all pay 40M$ US each? Would the league really turn its back on extra cash in this climate? I doubt it. It would mean that there would be 19 teams, but still it makes so much sense for the league, with 2013 being Miami, Ottawa, NY2, Atlanta vying for the spots.

As I said, today was a big news day. Let's make Friday about us, the fans.

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Comments

Hi Bedir:

Just stopping by to say hello. I am disappointed in the news about Lungberg. Is this something we knew before we signed him?

Looking forward to the season.

Wigs

by Wiggen on Mar 12, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions

The club knew his injury history prior to signing, but likely not that it was bad enough to need surgery. BUT his surgeon is/was great. ARod, Marcus Camby, Mario Lemiuex all went to the same guy.

It now looks like he won’t miss any games, though he will not be starting Opening Night.

Thanks for stopping by Wiggen. Its been too long.

by Dave Clark on Mar 12, 2009 11:58 AM PDT reply actions

anybody who has been watching the sport knows that Freddie had injuries coming into the season.

by soundersfan on Mar 12, 2009 12:16 PM PDT reply actions

and anyone who’s read up will have understood that the best surgeon in the world operated on Freddie, he’s going to be in the best shape of his life since his Arsenal heydays, and be without any injuries or nagging pains.

“I can’t get any pain in anything I do,” is the best quote from Ljungberg ever, and it makes me so pumped for this season.

by Jon on Mar 12, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks Bedir. I knew the guy had injuries, but frankly was not expecting him to miss the opening of the season. I’m guessing neither did the Sounders.

Here’s hoping the surgery goes well. He’s a class player when he’s healthy.

by Wiggen on Mar 14, 2009 4:56 PM PDT reply actions