The too long, don't read version of Sounder at Heart is that when it is at its best, it makes us a community that is smarter about soccer, who love to watch trophies be raised and who support each other through the bad times. Plus we do good works.
Sounder at Heart started as a simple idea in the summer of 2008. How could Jason Churchill get me to stop calling him to talk about the soon-to-be in MLS Seattle Sounders? He convinced me to start a blog. Considering he'd been trying to convince me to write about the Mariners, I think I came out ahead.
The foundation was a recipe of the baseball blogoshpere in the area dominated by USS Mariner, Lookout Landing, and Inside the Park. There was a dash of Goal Seattle. A few cups of smart sports talk from Locked on Sports where I was once a producer and some shakes of the spice of passion from Softy were added in. Initially, access didn't matter – a deeper look into what made soccer enjoyable was the desire.
On August 27, 2008 the blog started. My life changed. Every single job I've held since starting the site is because of the site.
While many dozens have joined the site, the biggest single partner ever was Jeremiah Oshan, who became a co-editor and eventually my boss. He runs this thing now. I join for a Ship's Log or two a week, plus some stuff about The Pipeline.
Other staff aren't to be diminished. They've helped us launch coverage of Sounders Women, Reign, Defiance, Ballard, and other local soccer action. Some went on to work for teams. At least one former author won an MLS Cup as a coach.
Sounder at Heart participated in charity drives to help earthquake victims in Haiti, earthquake victims in Japan, ExtraLife throughout the Pacific Northwest and many other efforts to make the world better than it is. You, the community, helped raise tens of tens of thousands because you trusted us to point you in the right way.
You also helped us go independent.
You helped us thrive and grow in an era when click-bait and virality are more common. You supported efforts to help you be smarter than the average fan.
You.
There wasn't ever a plan to make this so big. We certainly never intended to have months with hundreds of published stories. We didn't plan on a Discord with over a thousand members.
We just wanted to tell the stories of soccer around the Sound we call home.
The average blog/podcast/etc. lasts less than three years. MatchFitUSA and The24thMinute and so many others didn't make it a decade.
You’ve helped Sounder at Heart make it 18 years.
August is when SaH 1.0 was born. It's when SaH 3.0 was born.
And it's when I heartily thank you for changing my and thousands of others' lives, because without you this thing does not exist.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday hosting Chicago Fire at 1:30 pm PT on Apple TV. There are $20.26 tickets available.
- Opposition scouting report: Chicago Fire
- Sounders issue open letter to community
- Sounders make Dejan Joveljić signing official
- Not a loss: Sounders snap losing streak with road draw
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Sunday hosting Houston Dash at 4 pm PT on Roku Channel.
- The Cooler Guild: Loss in Louisville, draw in KC
- Kelsey Branson joins Seattle Reign on short-term contract
- Seattle Reign earn hard-fought draw in Kansas City
- Valkyratings: One is not enough v. Louisville
Defiance
Next match: Sunday at Real Monarchs at 2:30 pm PT on OneFootball and YouTube.
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
NWSL and women's soccer
- Esther González makes surprise move to Saudi Arabia after Gotham FC departure (Equalizer)
- NWSL Power Rankings: Gotham still No. 1 after draw; Pride snap losing streak with Spirit win (ESPN) - Reign are 6th.
- NWSL's Stars Will Return to Northwestern Lakeside Stadium Next Year (Front Office Sports) - Chicago's stadium journey continues.
- Denise O'Sullivan's Liverpool exit: 'I couldn't have an impact on the pitch because I was feeling so down' (The 42)
- New team, investment and competition: The women's Northern Super League is on the rise (AP)
MLS and men's soccer
- Analyzing another Dejan Joveljic trade (American Soccer Analysis)
- MLS NEXT Pro to shift competition calendar in 2027 (MLS Next Pro)
- US soccer wants excitement after the World Cup – the Open Cup provides it (The Guardian)
- U.S. Soccer nears takeover of U.S. Youth Soccer. This is what it means for the sport’s future (New York Times)
- Replication Project-ish: Projecting MLS Performance based on MLS Next Pro Data (American Soccer Analysis) - Bronnik and Hawkins both project as better than MLS average right now.
- MLS Winners and Losers: Seattle Sounders add a star, Bruce Arena's Quakes tumble & more (Backheeled, a Sounder at Heart partner)
- Liga MX closes door on pro/rel and embraces Americanization of Mexican soccer (New York Times)
- UEFA preps criminal complaint against FIFA’s Infantino over World Cup sell-off deal (NBC)
Puget Sound culture
- Sounder trains available for Sounders FC vs. Chicago Fire (Sound Transit)
- Spokane wildfire rebuilding costs expected to top $1B, setting WA record (Fox13) - If it passes a billion it will be the 13th billion dollar disaster of 2026 in the U.S.
Brandi Carlile on Dolly Parton: ‘She Took a Risk and Accepted Me for Being Gay’ (Rolling Stone)
