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Selling Seattle

A pitch to the U22s who keep turning down the Sounders.

Last Updated
5 min read

Welcome from the land of sea and sky; of peaks and pine – Puget Sound, our home and the home of one of the greatest soccer teams in the Western Hemisphere.

I know you may not think of the Seattle Sounders when you think of grand clubs, as there's the vaunted history in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. We're young, but not as young as you. The current owner took over in 2002 and under his leadership they have taken home 12 major trophies – yes that's more than one every other year. The haul includes a continental title, plus two trips to the Club World Cup, and even in years without silverware they’ve been in contention far more often than not.

Maybe you noticed Lumen Field when it hosted Club World Cup matches – Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Botafogo, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds. We're hosting the Men's World Cup too, with 8-10 national teams. Multiple teams will use the region as their home base during the tournament.

Seattle isn't merely a host of great soccer. It produces stars. The Sounders are responsible for multiple men's World Cup players both in this version of the team and previous. Many, many more played here while appearing for their nations in World Cups and Olympics.

Yes, MLS is a funky league, with funny rules.

Within those strictures the Sounders succeed in developing talents while winning trophies. But this region doesn't merely build careers, it builds icons.

Megan Rapinoe won every award in the world while playing here. Ken Griffey, Jr, now a Sounders team owner, was a global icon in a sport without global reach. Sue Bird became so synonymous with success that the city named a street after her and is erecting a statue to her tomorrow. Our musicians, including another team owner, are global headliners as well. Olympians and champions call Puget Sound home, as do authors and coders, artists and creators.

How does a small city in the US upper left punch above its size and location so frequently?

Because we're home to several of the globe's biggest brands. We're also a people who love sports an unreasonable amount – turnout by fans here is always among the tops in the various leagues, demanding respect because we're louder than love.

And because we are one of the beautiful places where urban and nature coexist. Anyone making a quality of life move looks to Seattle because the famous can be both private and adored.

A move to Seattle to play for the Sounders may wind up lasting a lifetime or it can be a fleeting step on a career that continues on to more significant leagues. Either way it will be a move that you remember with affection in a city where you'll want to spend weeks and months once your playing days are over.

That's why you should choose Seattle Sounders.
And the trophies, lots of trophies.

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Catching up on Sounder at Heart

Here's what you missed on the site this week.

Sounders

Next match: Saturday, Aug. 16 at Minnesota United FC | 5:30 pm PT | Apple TV+ and FS1
Seattle are road underdogs, which is typical in MLS, but are in the middle of the pack by that measure this weekend despite facing a team above them in the standings.

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Reign

Next match: Monday, Aug. 18 vs. Chicago Stars | 7 pm PT | Paramount+
The rare Monday night game gives Seattle the opportunity to show just how high they can climb in the standings.

Defiance

Next match: Sunday, Aug. 24 at Portland Timbers 2 | 8 pm PT| MLS Season Pass


Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know
  1. Pedro de la Vega and the art of scoring a Puskás Award contender (New York Times) If you are an agent for a potential U22 signee read this one.
  2. 'That was my story, man' — Freddy Adu has a stark warning for USMNT star Gio Reyna amid similar struggles (Sporting News) Adu opens up in what should be a warning sign for Reyna.
  3. Leagues Cup 2025 Quarterfinals: Who are the favorites? (MLS Soccer) Doyle has Seattle as the best in MLS
  4. Refs org re-evaluating members' club connections (ESPN) This comes after Tim Ford's family showed him in the stands at LAFC matches.
  5. FIFA moves ahead with new human rights strategy for World Cup games, but advocates are skeptical (AP)
  6. NWSL Matchday 16 Power Rankings: Portland Thorns Roar After Cascadia Rivalry (Sports Illustrated) Reign are 7th, below their place in the actual standings
  7. NWSL MVP Tracker 3.0: Ranking the best players in the league this season (so far) (ESPN) Dickey gets an also mention nod
  8. Tom Dundon to Buy Portland Trail Blazers From Paul Allen’s Estate (Sportico) Allen's estate still needs to sell the Seahawks, First & Goal and their shares in the Sounders.
  9. Whitecaps' owners change course from 'sale' to looking for a 'new partner' (The Province) It may not be a total change up north
  10. Detroit City FC unveils new stadium and name, AlumniFi Field, for 2027 (Detroit News) It's privately funded.
  11. Maga hats, anti-Ice banners and plenty of confusion: did MLS create its own political mess? (The Guardian)

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