Sounder At Heart: FanShots

Szetela waived by DC United

2010-03-17T03:25:43Z

Szetela waived by DC United

Should the Sounders try to acquire the former US youth national with Euro and MLS experience? He's been a CM, RM and CAM in his time with 4 pro clubs. Szetela and Sigi have experience with the U-20s and the Columbus Crew.

Ives has stated that Szetela is now healthy, but got "Pipped" .

What is a recently injured, but once highly prized player such as Danny Szetla worth in this labor environment? We can't know until it happens. I doubt he makes it through waivers though.

Once a Metro launches on SBNation

2010-03-17T01:27:35Z

Once a Metro launches on SBNation

And now there are 4 MLS sites on the network!

Go over and give them a greeting.

Cox waived by RSL

2010-03-17T00:54:12Z

Cox waived by RSL

Raphael Cox (Stadium/Highline/UW/TacomaTide product) has been waived by RSL. If there was Free Agency you think he'd get a look here?
denz over at RSLSoapBox thinks this was a mistake. Maybe Fewing (Coach, Kitsap Pumas) gets this guy on roster as well...

While Kasey Keller is the clear starter, there was an open competition for the backup role between...

2010-03-16T04:06:12Z

While Kasey Keller is the clear starter, there was an open competition for the backup role between Boss and Chris Eylander before the team's second season begins.

"It was up for grabs," said Dutra. "It was a position they both competed for, and we believed in Terry ... He was able to win that spot."

Seattle Times Joshua Mayers has more quotes from Dutra as well

I guess the only question left is what happens to Eylander. Could he be kept but on the IL, just for insurance? Or does the club look to a developmental player for keeper #3? Or would you stick with a pool keeper for that insurance?

MLSnet.com about to become MLSsoccer.com And how do they tell us about the cool new features?...

2010-03-15T13:25:59Z

MLSnet.com about to become MLSsoccer.com

And how do they tell us about the cool new features? Via a video of talking heads

We have a Piper DOWN! Beckham's 2010 (club and country both) done?

2010-03-15T03:19:39Z

We have a Piper DOWN! Beckham's 2010 (club and country both) done?

He's done with Milan. He's done with England, probably for good.

Likely even done with Galaxy, though just maybe back in time if they can scrape into the Playoffs.

Forward Alecko Eskandarian will be out indefinately for the Galaxy as well.

While Sounders fans bemoan the offense here, let's remember some perspective.

"A lot of the guys have built on last year. Roger (Levesque) is an example. I thought Taylor...

2010-03-04T05:18:39Z

"A lot of the guys have built on last year. Roger (Levesque) is an example. I thought Taylor (Graham) before he got injured was doing well. Mike Fucito certainly has stepped up and is more aware of the rhythm and what needs to be done. Those are guys that are obviously aware of things. You also have some rookies in (David) Estrada and Michael Seamon is out here again training with us right now. We’re also going to push some people. So that’s going to be a big plus. But even the other guys, whether you are dealing with (Osvaldo) Alonso, or you’re dealing with Brad Evans, they’ve all made advancements. Brad being called into the national team a couple of times now, going through their January camp, all of those experiences make you a better player, make you a more confident player."

Sigi with quotes today on managing the roster

Reading Tea Leavues continues

Four Dollar Beers!

2010-03-02T04:08:52Z

Four Dollar Beers!

The Rapids are really busting out some great ideas. Terraces, 4$ beer, 5$ food, ticketless entry.

But it isn't just Colorado who has decided that they are tired of losing money.

The Revolution are kicking their ticketing buzz up a bit too. They launched a referral program, with a hell of a peak prize - trip to the All Star Game.

The down attendance hit every team last year. Back in 2007 there were only 3 profitable teams according to Forbes (likely 7 of 14 if you count SUM money), but in 2009 due to that 12% decrease in attendance for returning clubs only 2 turned a pre-SUM profit. Somewhere around 6-9 did when couning SUM dollars. The Rapids and Revolution are two teams hovering just under profitability, and a bump of butts in the seats would push them over that margin.

Two Sounders fans with Levesque, Fucito and Neagle at a Starbucks in Madrid. They're serving my...

2010-03-02T01:57:47Z

Two Sounders fans with Levesque, Fucito and Neagle at a Starbucks in Madrid. They're serving my favorite coffee too.

You can read Matt's recap of the trip at the Sounder's site.

Cut Day becomes Add Day? Sounders Looking at Costa Rican Striker?

2010-03-01T17:56:04Z

Cut Day becomes Add Day? Sounders Looking at Costa Rican Striker?

A report this morning from Aldia.cr suggests that Costa Rican striker Álvaro Saborío could soon be joining Sounders FC. Previously the player had been connected to a move to Real Salt Lake. A Google translation reads:

Costa Rica striker Alvaro Saborio, is reportedly close to signing for the team Seattle Sounders in MLS, and is therefore, also in Costa Rican teammate Leonardo Gonzalez.

If true the Sounders would than have 21 Seniors under contract while looking at 3 more. 3 Developmentals are reportedly signed at this time with a dozen potential additions.

No one should be surprised if a few players are put on the Injured List.

There's No Money in European Football

2010-02-28T17:27:37Z

There's No Money in European Football

This is a great look at how English and European Football is not longer the correct business decision for the wealthy. It is not just an annual loss, but a loss at time of sale as well.

KJR-AM's Dick Fain Talks Labor Issues and Upcoming Season with Dave Clark

2010-02-28T02:17:43Z

KJR-AM's Dick Fain Talks Labor Issues and Upcoming Season with Dave Clark

If that link doesn't work try this one and scroll down to my name.

Portsmouth have suffered a catalogue of ongoing financial problems. Players have been paid late...

2010-02-26T14:21:26Z

Portsmouth have suffered a catalogue of ongoing financial problems.

Players have been paid late on four occasions this season, while the club is also involved in a separate dispute with former owner Sacha Gaydamak over whether they have missed a deadline in paying a £9m chunk of the £28m they owe him.

The Premier League also withheld £2m of transfer payments and diverted a £7m slice of TV revenue to Chelsea and Watford to cover the signings of Glen Johnson and Tommy Smith.

Portsmouth Enter Administration

Docked 9 points and Englands 22nd City loses topflight football (maybe Portsmouth was so bad that they could not be called top flight). I wonder if MLB is stronger for not having Montreal, or the NBA is stronger for not having Seattle, or the NHL is stronger for not having Hartford, Winnipeq or Quebec.

Sounders General Manager Adrian Hanauer confirmed the deal when talking to Prost Amerika partner La...

2010-02-25T03:20:32Z

Sounders General Manager Adrian Hanauer confirmed the deal when talking to Prost Amerika partner La Raza del nuestronoroeste.com.

"We are very excited to bring Miguel to Seattle. Miguel has blazing speed, makes decisive runs, he has good technique and strikes the ball well with both feet. At the same time, he is only 18 years old, and we will bring him along slowly. We need to find out how he fits in with our group, and hopefully over time, he can contribute."

Hanauer Confirms Montaño will be a Sounder

Stabaek IF video highlights

2010-02-21T18:07:21Z

Stabaek IF video highlights

You can get the video highlights here. Lots of 1-2 passing from the Sounders. Ljungberg and Montero with big hugs.

Luis Gil signs - to be allocated via Lottery

2010-02-20T01:45:08Z

Luis Gil signs - to be allocated via Lottery

The young Gil signs with MLS and will be allocated via a weighted lottery. For us Sounders fans it sometimes sucks to have won so many last year.

"His family would like to see him on the West Coast, but we'll see where he's going to be," Gartlan said. "He's open to anything."

As a Generation adidas signing, Gil will not count against the salary cap or senior roster.

For his sake it would probably be best for him to be in Seattle, with the Galaxy, or with the Dynamo as those coaches have proven records with youth players. They are also 3 of the least likely teams to get him.

Another marquee name on the Beavers spring schedule comes Friday, March 26 when they travel north...

2010-02-19T04:17:36Z

Another marquee name on the Beavers spring schedule comes Friday, March 26 when they travel north to take on the Seattle Sounders starting at 11 a.m. The Beavers will head to Seattle and train for a few days before the match and be there for the MLS season opener between the Sounders and the Union and Mwanga.

"The special piece about our game against Seattle is that the night before they are playing Philadelphia in first game of the year for the Major League Soccer season and Danny (Mwanga) will be playing for Philly in Seattle," Simmons said. "We're going to go up and train for a couple days and I'm sure he'll come to practice to see his friends and his teammates. We'll watch him play on Thursday night and then Friday morning we'll play the members of the team that didn't get many minutes."

OSU Beaver spring soccer to face Seattle Sounders

What do you do when you don't have an official Reserve League? You schedule matches that you can against local colleges and PDL sides. It would seem that the Sounders are active in starting to schedule these.

Sounders face Rosenborg in another Live Blog only match

2010-02-18T14:27:07Z

Sounders face Rosenborg in another Live Blog only match

The good news is that there is a live blog at 9AM. The bad news is the only real way to follow this match is via the Sounders website, but no audio or video.

It will be intriguing to watch Sigi balance winning v. roster decisions. They are facing the best club in Norwegian soccer.

Later today I will provide what analysis one can in these circumstances.

Man U joins Citizens on SBNation

2010-02-17T02:09:58Z

Man U joins Citizens on SBNation

The Manchester Derby has a home on SBNation with both Man City and Man United having homes here now.

From a Sounders standpoint there is a chance that either or both of the primary Manchester clubs could be here this year.

Sounder FC goes web-culture mainstream

2010-02-15T18:50:59Z

Sounder FC goes web-culture mainstream

Very off topic but on topic none-the-less, Seattle area based Penny-Arcade.com featured the logo of Sounder FC prominently on a character's clothing.

Of course, the cartoon itself has nothing to do with MLS or soccer... I just find it cool that such a widely read web comic decided to pay homage to the rave green.