Seattle Sounders FC made it official this morning, announcing the signing of former Arsenal great Freddie Ljungberg as their Designated Player for their inaugural MLS campaign.

Here's part of his opening statement and answer to a question from today's press conference:

FREDDIE LJUNGBERG
“I want to mostly say that I’m really happy to be here. I feel so welcomed by everybody, walking around the city a little bit, and all the people here. Especially when I spoke to you all, the interest of soccer they have in this region of the U.S., we talked about it. You see it here already how many tickets are sold, and we haven’t even started playing yet. For me, that’s a major thing. If I’m going somewhere, I want people to be affected about it and have an interest in what I’m doing and what we’re doing. For me, that’s very important. I’m spending a lot of time with these guys here, and talked about the future and everything around the city, and everything they want to do, and it feels really great. I’m really happy to be here. I hope it works out well.”

(On his health)
“I feel very good. Last season I had small injuries in the fall, and after Christmas, I felt very good. The only problem was someone jumped on my rib cage, and I cracked a rib at the end of the season. I played in the Euro’s and I feel great. During this little break I’ve had, I’ve been training quite hard to keep fit. It all feels good.”

(On European reaction of the signing…)
“Of course there will be mixed reactions. I know how it works. When David (Beckham) went to the MLS, and how the Europeans see the MLS that maybe the league is not that great. I think that isn’t true. Now David may be gone to Milan for a stop. I think in Europe we look at, if he can crack it in Milan; he’s still doing very well, and shows that MLS is a good level if he can do that. Me personally, I’m coming here because I want to play football, and I see this as a great experience. I want to make this league better and develop it, like all these guys here want to do as well. I’ve had three months to think about my future a lot. I wanted to feel the reaction from people around me about the MLS, and people then said, ‘you should stay three more years at least in England or in Europe to play in the top flight, and not go already to the MLS’. For me, I felt if I was going to do this, it’s a sincere thing, and really help the people over here with soccer, I should go now. I shouldn’t go in three years time when I’m past my peak. I feel really happy to be here.”

More details at the Sounders website.

The Sounders have called a press conference for early next week, and according to multiple reports they will announce the signing of former Arsenal great Freddie Ljungberg as their designated player.

Now, Swedish TV us also reporting this.

And so is the UK press.

A designated player and the signing of a coach are the two most logical "major announcements" left for the team. And this doesn't sound like it's going to be the coaching announcement.

Meanwhile, we also had more certain roster-affecting news today regarding the coming MLS expansion draft and Sounders tryouts.

Seattle Sounders FC will add 10 veteran players to its roster Nov. 26, when Major League Soccer holds its expansion draft.

Under league rules, existing teams can protect 11 players from their current rosters, and the Sounders may claim only one player from 10 of those teams.

Those exisiting teams are required to submit their lists of protected players to the League by noon Nov. 24 -- and the resulting list of available players will be made public that day.

Full details on the expansion draft rules are available at the MLS website.

Meanwhile, at least one MLS writer has speculated on which players might be protected by Toronto FC.

As of now, Seattle Sounders FC have signed three players: American goalkeeper Kasey Keller, French striker Sebastien Le Toux and Gambian midfielder Sanna Nyassi.

The Sounders have not yet named a coach.

Seattle Sounders FC will host open tryouts next month... with a twist.

Here's the information from the MLS team:

The open tryouts will be filmed for a reality based television show which will be televised on BELO properties, including: KING 5, KONG 6/16 and NWCN in late January of 2009. A minimum of three finalists from each market will take part in a televised one-hour tryout in Seattle.

“Chivas USA has utilized the open tryout process very effectively,” said Sounders FC Majority Owner Joe Roth. “The 2007 winner plays for Chivas USA and the U.S. Under-20 National Team. We believe similar talent exists in the Northwest. ”

The final tryout will be broadcast on Sunday, February 1, 2009, following Super Bowl XLIII on KING 5. Viewers will have the opportunity to narrow the finalists to three. A distinguished panel of judges will determine the winner. The winner will be awarded a spot on the 2009 Sounders FC roster.

“Super Bowl Sunday on KING 5 will be truly super,” said BELO President and General Manager Ray Heacox. “First the biggest game in sports, then on the same night, the biggest prize ever awarded in Northwest sports, a chance for some talented player to win a spot on the Sounders FC on TV.”

WHO: Any aspiring soccer player over the age of 18 that believes they can play in the MLS

HOW: Interested participants must register in advance at www.soundersfc.com.

Sounders FC staff will oversee the three-hour tryouts. The field will be narrowed in the first hour through a series of speed and fitness drills followed by skills tests and mini-games.

DETAILS:
Sunday, November 9 – Spokane, Wash.Plants Ferry Park,
12308 E. Upriver Drive
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (check-in begins at 9 a.m.)

Saturday, November 15 – Tukwila, Wash.
Starfire Sports Complex
14800 Starfire Way
www.starfiresports.com
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (check-in begins at 9 a.m.)

Saturday, November 22 – Yakima, Wash.
Chesterley Park
3804 River Rd.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (check-in begins at 9 a.m.)

Participants will be responsible for all personal expenses associated with the event, including travel, lodging, food, and soccer equipment (shoes, training gear, etc.). Participation in the event is free.

Tacoma Tide - NCAA players update

The Tacoma Tide roster is riddled with collegiate players who are leading their respective NCAA teams this season. The TacomaFC.com website has just unveiled its first update on these excellent players.
Keep checking the website throughout the off-season because TacomaFC.com will be bringing you news and notes on the standout performances by the Tide while away from their yellow jerseys. Here are some highlights from the first part of the college season.

To check out the update, click www.TacomaFC.com

Portland, Vancouver, Atlanta, Miami, Montreal, Ottawa and St. Louis will compete for the 17th and 18th MLS franchises, expected to begin play early next decade.

Details are available at the official MLS website.

Seattle Sounders FC begin play next year as the 15th team, and Philadelphia will join in 2010.

According to the league: The MLS expansion application required prospective owners to provide information such as details about the applicant’s proposed ownership group, stadium plan and financing, and an analysis of the potential expansion market.

The applications will be reviewed by the League office and the MLS Expansion Committee. An announcement regarding which markets will receive the next two expansion clubs will take place during the fourth quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009.

Today is deadline day for submissions from cities interested in becoming the 17th and 18th Major League Soccer markets.

As expected, Portland, Vancouver and the Canadian candidates, will make their pitches.

And suddenly a MLS return to Miami -- where the Fusion quickly failed -- seems to have moved to the front burner behind the power of FC Barcelona.

And isn't it nice to be watching all the scrambling from an area already safetly in the MLS family?

The Vancouver Whitecaps won the United Soccer League's first division championship Saturday, defeating Puerto Rico, 2-1, in B.C.

Here's the game report.

And here's hoping Vancouver jumps to to MLS soon. Great rival. Great road city to visit.

I've been meaning to mention this ever since the Seahawks football season began. However, anyone watching the Packers' game today should take note of both Qwest Field end zones.

In past season's they were painted that dark Seahawks blue. This season they're left the natural green of the field, with only the team name in dark.

That is an encouraging little sign of respect for the Sounders FC Major League Soccer team. As I was told before the NFL season began, those dark end zones would be much harder to scrub so well that they wouldn't show up badly on the soccer pitch. The more natural end zone will allow for a more pristine pitch when the Sounders take the field next spring, and especially while the teams share Qwest Field starting next August.

Actually, I think the Seahawks deserve real credit for how well they have shared Qwest with the Sounders. Those of you who have been to Qwest recently know the Seahawks and Sounders are very close to equally represented with the banners and logos that dress up the place.

A very good sign that they're making the Sounders' won't be the second-class tenant in this shared-stadium situation.

With the Tide and Sounders' seasons now behind us, our in-person soccer viewing opportunities are down to high schools and colleges.

So here are a few links to help you get through until Sounders FC pops back into the news with the naming of a coach or the next wave of player signings.

TNT reporter Doug Drowley had a good story on the Beamer High Titans girl's team.

Meanwhile -- from my other TNT beat -- here are links to the Husky men's soccer team and the Husky women.