Rafael Cox is part of a very prestigious list of college soccer players across the U.S.A. Cox, a former Tacoma Tide FC standout & University of Washington star, is one of 65 college seniors from 45 Division 1 schools that has been invited to participate in the 2009 adidas MLS Player Combine.
Cox, a midfielder from Tacoma, Wash., culminated his collegiate career at UW this past fall and was a first-team All-Pac-10 honoree. The annual player combine will be held at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on Jan. 9-13th of 2009.

For the complete story and implications for Cox's pursuit of a professional career, click HERE

For additional info on the combine or other participants, see www.TacomaFC.com

Seattle Sounders FC confirms it is working on bringing a few international club opponents to Qwest Field and should be ready to announce those next month.

However, there is no indication yet that one of those dates will involve FC Barcelona -- as mentioned this week in a Barca blog (which, in fairness, identifies itself as a site for both fact and rumor).

Whether fact or rumor, the post says FCB, which toured the U.S. in 2003, 2006 and 2008, will return in 2009 with friendlies in Los Angeles, Miami and Seattle.

However, there's no Sounders, MLS or FBC confirmation on that.

Here's the post.

Seattle Sounders FC has announced the hiring of Tom Dutra as goalkeeper coach, the second assistant named to Sigi Schmid’s staff.

“He is a respected goalkeeper coach with great local connections," Schmid said through a news repease. "He has developed young keepers and also worked with experienced keepers like Kasey Keller.”

Dutra, 36, served two seasons as keeper coach under Brian Schmetzer for the USL Sounders. Schmetzer was named as Schmid’s top assistant Dec. 22. Schmid became head coach of Sounders FC Dec. 16.

He is a native of Olympia and graduated from Timberline High School.

Here's my story for the Tuesday paper. And here's more information from SoundersFC.com.

The Toronto Sun runs a story of soccer wishes for 2009.

Writer Gareth Wheeler seems pretty down on an expansion team for Vancouver, and even more down on the Sounders' designated player signing of Freddie Ljungberg.

Here are those grumpy wishes:

- For Major League Soccer to refuse to give Vancouver a team until it builds a soccer specific stadium.

- For the expansion Seattle Sounders FC's Freddie Ljungberg to play at least half of the season after being ruled out the next 12 weeks because of injury. The signing already looks like a bust.

- For Toronto FC's future designated player not to be a player such as Freddie Ljungberg.

And here's the whole list.

As part of coach Sigi Schmid's welcoming ceremonies last week, executive Tod Leiweke also gave a quick checklist of accomplishments for Seattle Sounders FC so far.

I thought it was an interesting list, that kind of got lost in the Schmid coverage. So here's the entire text. So in today's News Tribune we have included our own analysis of each of the moves mentioned below:

Leiweke: “I brought my to-do list, which was sort of put together a year and a half ago. So, I’ll be brief, but I want to recount everything. And in fact, I’m going to go back farther than a year and a half ago.

The citizens of this state built this facility, and there’s a plaque on the wall that says ‘football, soccer.’ There was an unfulfilled promise to bring MLS here, and we’ve done that.

We had to put together an ownership group. I couldn’t be more proud of this guy to my left (Adrian Hanauer), Joe Roth and Drew Carey.

We needed to sell season tickets this past week, and we crossed over 18,000 season tickets. We’re 18,100 season tickets.

We needed to put games on TV. We couldn’t be more proud of our agreement with BELO that’s going to put games on KING and KONG. We needed a voice. As I’ve said often, ‘the Sonics may have gone to Oklahoma City, but that man didn’t,’ and we couldn’t be more proud that Kevin Calabro is going to call our games.

We talk about democracy in sports. Led by Drew Carey, we have a membership association with literally thousands of members now. ... (And) that membership association will have unique privileges in the world of sports.

These teams need title partners, and without them economically it’s very tough. We targeted one company and we couldn’t have found a better partner in Microsoft and Xbox. We’re proud to wear Xbox across our jersey. We have to sell suites.

We’ve sold 67 of those so far with our best days in front of us yet to come.

Kevin (Calabro) talked about players. The dream of bringing Kasey Keller back home, the most decorated U.S. soccer player of all-time. Then there was the opportunity to recruit a designated player. We announced Freddie Ljungberg, and we’re thrilled.

While all of those are powerful announcements, I think (the hiring of Schmid) is truly a defining moment in this franchise and where we want to be.”

Sounders FC has provided a few quotes from midfieder Freddie Ljungberg (via his agent) regarding his hip surgery on Friday (see post below):

"I am so happy we (me and SSFC) jointly took the decision to do this surgery."

"I feel I am in the best hands here in Vail with Dr. Philippon and his medical staff. Sounders FC is also backing me up tremendously well."

"My way back to play is already starting. I had my first ‘work out’18 hours after the surgery, here in the hospital. We are doing rehab training twice a day.

“I can’t wait to join the Sounders FC players and will do that as soon as I can."

Longtime USL Sounders' head coach Brian Schmetzer will be Sigi Schmid's first assistant with Seattle Sounders FC, the club announced this afternoon.

No big surprise -- there are some telling quotes on the topic a few blog posts down -- but probably good news for a lot of Sounders fans, and certainly for Schmetzer.

Here's the FC news release:

Brian Schmetzer has been named the top assistant coach for the Seattle Sounders FC staff, head coach Sigi Schmid announced today.

Schmetzer, 46, joins Sounders FC following seven seasons as the head coach of the Sounders’ United Soccer Leagues First Division club. He guided Seattle to USL-1 championships in 2005 and 2007, and U.S. Open Cup semifinal advancements in 2007 and 2008.

“I’m excited to work with Brian,” said Schmid, who became head coach Dec. 16. “He brings great knowledge of the Seattle area, the history of the USL-1 Sounders, and a wealth of coaching experience. That, coupled with his past playing experience, makes him the ideal assistant coach.”

Schmetzer has nine years of experience coaching and 15 years of playing at the professional level. He was a member of six championship teams during that span.

“Having been born and raised in Seattle, and having lived most of my life here, I love this city and I couldn’t have scripted a more perfect career path,” said Schmetzer. “I feel lucky, first to have been chosen to coach the USL Sounders, then to be considered along with Sigi and some other outstanding candidates for the MLS head coaching job. Now, I’m working with a great coach in Sigi, in my home city for what is rapidly becoming the best club in the business. It seems everything is falling into place.”

As coach of the USL-1 Sounders from 2002-07, Schmetzer’s teams also twice won the Commissioner’s Cup for the league’s best record and qualified for the playoffs six of seven years. He was chosen USL-1 Coach of the Year in 2002 after going 23-1-4. The Sounders were league runners-up in 2004. His overall regular season record was 100-54-44.

Previously, he had served two seasons (1996-97) as an assistant coach for the Seattle SeaDogs, winning the Continental Indoor Soccer League title with Seattle in 1997.

“Having worked with Brian for seven years, I can’t imagine a better representative of what Sounders soccer means,” said general manager Adrian Hanauer. “He has a combination of passion, competitiveness, experience and a mind for the game. I have never met anyone who hates losing as much as Brian, and that mentality has consistently driven his teams to succeed. I couldn’t be happier that he’s going to continue having a key role for Sounders FC.”

A Seattle native, Schmetzer signed with the Sounders’ North American Soccer League franchise following his graduation from Nathan Hale High School in 1980. He played three seasons as a midfielder for Seattle before going to Tulsa for the final NASL season in 1984.

Schmetzer signed with the San Diego Sockers in 1984 and played seven seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League with San Diego (1984-88), Tacoma (1988-90) and St. Louis (1990-91). He was a member of the Sockers’ MISL championship teams in 1985, 1986 and 1988. He returned to Seattle for the Sounders’ inaugural A-League season in 1994 before completing his playing career with the SeaDogs from 1995-96.

In 1985, Schmetzer played on loan to FC Seattle, scoring twice in a 2-1 friendly win over Brazil’s Santos. While with Tacoma and FC Seattle, Schmetzer’s teammates included younger brothers Andy and Walter.

Sounders FC will open training camp January 21. The Major League Soccer season opener is March 19 against the New York Red Bulls at Qwest Field.

The MLS champion Columbus Crew has promoted former Sigi Schmid assistant Robert Warsycha to the top job that came open when Schmid bolted for Sounders FC.

Warsucha is also a former standout player with the Crew.

Here's the story from the MLS Web site.

Seattle Sounders FC's newly named coach, Sigi Schmid, will be the featured guest on a call-in show today on Fox Soccer Channel.

Schmid will appear live in-studio to field calls from viewers during Fox Football Fone-In, which airs every Monday from 5-7 p.m. (and will be repeated at 8 p.m.).

Viewers can call 1-888-FOX-FANS or TEXT 32369 for a chance to ask questions or share opinions.

WHAT: Seattle Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid’s live in-studio appearance on Fox Football Fone-In

WHEN: 5-7 p.m. today (repeated at 8 p.m.)

WHERE: Fox Soccer Channel.

The Columbus Crew will introduce its next head coach at an 11 a.m. press conference at their home stadium.

The fifth head coach in club history will be introduced by club president & GM Mark McCullers.

The Crew's fourth head coach, of course, was Sigi Schmid, who last week became the first head coach of Seattle Sounders FC.

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Freddie Ljungberg underwent surgery today in Vail, Colo., to repair a hip condition, the club announced.

The Sounders' designated player is expected to make a full recovery and his projected return to training is 10-12 weeks, the club said.

At that pace, he would not be ready when the Sounders open training camp Jan. 21, but he could be when the MLS season opens March 19 against the New York Red Bulls at Qwest Field.

“Freddie Ljungberg is a player that we value for the long term,” Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer in a press release. “As Freddie increased his training regimen for the upcoming season, we wanted to make sure that he was firing on all cylinders for the next two years and beyond.”

“As he increased his training intensity, he suffered a mild re-occurrence of the hamstring problems that have occasionally hampered him over the past two years. At that point, Freddie and the club wanted to be proactive and we decided to have him see the best hip and hamstring specialists in the country.

“It was ultimately determined that the best course of action was to repair a slightly torn labrum, and to shave a very small amount of bone where the hip meets the femur. The objective of this surgery is to eliminate the nagging injuries and to ensure that Freddie has the explosiveness necessary to be a major contributor for Sounders FC every time he steps on the pitch.”

Mike Jennings, owner of the Tacoma Tide soccer team, has purchased the Seattle Sounders Women team, which will play its 2009 season at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

The Sounders Women play in the United Soccer Leagues’ W-League Western Conference. There are 37 teams in the W-League spread over five divisions in three conferences.

The team will play a 12-game league schedule starting in May. The W-League championship will be decided in early August.

Teddy Mitalas will continue as coach and general manager. Last season’s team made it to the national semifinals.

The fate of the team became uncertain when the USL Seattle Sounders ceased operation due to the arrival of Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer.

“After the Tide’s inaugural season in 2006, I have thought seriously about adding a W-League team under the Tacoma Football Club banner,” Jennings said in a press release. “Just as with the men, there are many capable and talented women who are in need of quality training and competition through the summer months.”

Jennings said the name of the women’s team might be changed to link with the Tide, which plays in the USL’s Premiere Developmental League.

Former Sounders coaches Alan Hinton and Brian Schmetzer share enthusiastic support for the Tuesday hiring of Sigi Schmid as coach of Seattle Sounders FC.

Here's my story from the Thursday paper.

“I saw (his Columbus Crew) many times on the TV and he was the one coach for me in Major League Soccer that had a team,” said Hinton, former coach of the Sounders and Tacoma Stars. “His team played like a team. … I thought he was very inclusive with his players. He seemed to get along very well with them and got them to play very well and fully deserved to win the championship. And I hope he does the same thing here."

The Schmid hiring also drew an unqualified thumbs up from Brian Schmetzer, even after he was in the running for the same job.

“Do I think I could have done the job? Yes,” Schmetzer said Tuesday at the media event introducing Schmid as the expansion team’s first coach. “But do I think that Sigi’s appointment was the right choice for this franchise at this moment? Yes, absolutely, 100 percent. There’s no way that anybody could argue that that man shouldn’t be here being announced. There’s just no rational soccer guy – and I think I’m a pretty rational guy – nobody can argue that.”

Schmid’s returned admiration for Schmetzer could result in a place for him on the FC staff. Schmid said he will likely hire staff from previous soccer associates, but likely not from his Columbus staff. And Schmetzer offers the advantages of familiarity with the local soccer community, a shared a heritage from southern Germany, and apparently compatible soccer philosophies.

“Schmetzer and me are talking,” Schmid said. “I’ve known him a long time. … I think he would be a great addition. But I want to make sure that we sit down and we talk. And for him, too; he needs to be comfortable, because it’s different going from being the head coach to being the assistant, and that’s something that you’ve got to feel good about and be comfortable in.”

Schmetzer said he would have no problem with that. He previously held assistant roles with the Stars and Seattle SeaDogs. He also wants to remain in Seattle. And he is uniquely qualified to provide information on the former USL Sounder players expected to get their chances to make the expansion Sounders’ roster.

“Sigi and I have already talked about the potential for some of the USL guys to come into camp and get extended looks during preseason,” Schmetzer said. “I’ve tried to give him some of the insights that I’ve acquired over the last seven years. Both (general manager Adrian Hanauer) and I feel that those players are important. We know the reality of pro sports. As much as we love some of our guys, we know all of them can’t be there. But we’re going to do all that we can to make sure that they get a more-than-fair look and see if he likes them.”

I got the vibe that an announcement could come very soon.

I got a heads-up about a new soccer-focused web site this week, and wanted to pass it along: www.yousport.com . Their "teams" section includes a growing list of around 200 teams from around the world, including the USA and Sounders FC.

Meanwhile, it's not a bad time to sort of re-launch the TNT's Indirect Kick blog. Things have been pretty busy recently with my other duties of UW football and UW basketball and then the football coaching change. But those things are settling down a bit just as the Sounders are ramping up, and we hope to get back in the game a bit.

And, of course, your input of news and comments always helps.

Seventeen quick things that I learned at the Sounders' media event Tuesday:

1.) Sigi Schmid is the coach. (Here's my report on the hiring. And here's the take of TNT columnist John McGrath.)

2.) Schmid gives every indication of being a very good interview. Ask him a question and you get an answer. (I'm sorry if that seems a modest standard, but remember: I've been covering UW football.)

3.) It seems very likely that USL Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer will join Schmid's staff.

4.) The Sounders have reached 18,100 season tickets sold.

5.) And 67 suites leased.

6.) Schmid does not understand why he has been hit with the rap of unattractive soccer. He views his style as "multifaceted attacking soccer."

7.) Schmid said he believes the expansion Sounders may be farther along in terms of playing personnel than the team he inherited at Columbus.

8.) He said the lesson he learned in Columbus is to build the team starting with emphasis on the midfield.

9.) In introducing Schmid, general manager Adrian Hanauer said, "There's no other coach in the world that I'd rahter be introducing today."

10.) He also said Schmid "understands Major League Soccer maybe better than anyone on the planet."

11.) The feeling seems mutual. Schid said what's being built in Seattle is "beyond what's happening anywhere else in the country."

12.) Schmid is the only coach who has taken two teams to the MLS Cup championship -- Los Angeles and Columbus -- and Hanauer said, "We plan on being the third."

13.) Schmid it bi-lingual* and on request answered some questions in German. (*He also has a little -- poco -- Spanish.)

14.) Schmid's grandfather was a brewmaster in Gemany and his father worked for Anheuser-Busch.

15.) He said -- in English -- that he would probably have stayed in Columbus if they had approached them with a dynamite contract-extension offer from the start. When they did not, he decided to look around, liked the idea of the West Coast, and seemed especially smitten with what's going on in Seattle.

16.) Additional USL Sounders will likely sign on. Schmetzer obviously will be helpful with that.

17.) Former Sounders and Tacoma Stars coach Alan Hinton likes the way this generation of Sounders soccer is unfolding.

Seattle Sounders FC has called a press conference for 11 a.m. Tuesday, when they will introduce their head coach.

All indications remain that it will be Sigi Schmid , who won MLS titles with Los Angeles and Columbus.

Then, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sounders fans are invited to meet the new coach at FX McRory's Steak Chop & Oyster House, 419 Occidental Ave. S.

Details at the Sounders' Web site.

Sounders' still looking for a Northwest rival.

Here's the report.

Here's how the Sounders' pursuit of coach Sigi Schmid looks to The Columbus Dispatch.

Just received an announcement from Major League Soccer. Bottom line, no tampering by Seattle, but some compensation for Columbus. And Seattle's willingness to pay that compensation is simply another neon arrow pointing to Sigi Schmid as the eventual inaugural coach.

“We believe Sigi is the best coach in Major League Soccer and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue contract negotiations with him,” FC general manager Adrian Hanauer said in a press release. “There were never any improprieties and the
league’s statement confirms this. There was some language in his contract that was ambiguous, but rather than going through a long, drawn out process we came to an agreement.”

Here's the MLS release:

Major League Soccer announced today that the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC resolved a potential contractual issue regarding former Crew coach Sigi Schmid. Columbus acquired allocation money and cash from Seattle, thus releasing Schmid from contractual obligations and allowing him to proceed with his contract negotiations with Seattle. In connection with this matter, Major League Soccer found no evidence of tampering by Seattle Sounders FC.

The Tacoma Tide has picked up some company in the Premiere Development League Northwest Division with the creation of teams in Kitsap County, Seattle, Portland and Victoria.

Here's what the Northwest Division will look like next season:

Abbotsford Mariners, Cascade Surge, Kitsap (TBA), Portland Timbers U23, Seattle (TBA), Spokane Spiders, Tacoma Tide, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, Victoria Highlanders, Yakima Reds

The United Soccer Leagues announced the details for the 2009 USL Premier Development League season at the 2008 Annual General Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, Fla. Also announced were a new 2009 schedule structure and playoff details.

Here is part of the news release:

The PDL will consist of 68 teams in 2009, playing in eight divisions that comprise the four conferences.

Expansion teams that have been formally announced to date are the Real Colorado Foxes, Rochester Thunder, Forest City London, Portland Timbers U23, Victoria Highlanders, Rio Grande Valley and Midland (TX). There are two new teams in the Puget Sound to compete against the Division’s Champion, Tacoma Tide FC. The new teams will play in Kitsap and Seattle.

The league will also play a 16-game season for the sixth straight campaign with games based primarily upon their divisional alignment. The season will open May 1 and conclude July 19.

The playoffs will begin with the return of the Divisional Championship playoffs (July 24-26) for the first time since 1998 with each division seeing three teams advance to the postseason. The second seed will face the third seed in the First Round with the winner advancing to face the top seed from the regular season in the championship. The eight division champions will advance to the PDL Elite Eight Weekend (July 31-August 2), where PDL Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be held. The divisional winners from Eastern and Central Conference will be grouped in one half of the bracket in one location while the Southern and Western winners comprise the other half at another locale. The PDL Quarterfinals will pit the top seed versus the fourth seed in the bracket, and two versus three. The winners of the PDL Semifinals will square off in the PDL Championship Saturday, August 8 on Fox Soccer Channel. Divisional playoff hosts are based on overall seeding, pending availability, with all other playoff site locations determined by bid.

Here are the other PSL divisions:

Central Conference
Great Lakes Division: Chicago Fire, Cincinnati Kings, Cleveland Internationals, Forest City London, Fort Wayne Fever, Indiana Invaders, Kalamazoo Outrage, Michigan Bucks, Toronto Lynx
Heartland Division: Des Moines Menace, Kansas City Brass, Real Colorado Foxes, Rochester Thunder, Springfield Demize, St Louis Lions, Thunder Bay Chill

Eastern Conference
Mid Atlantic Division: Carolina Dynamo, Cary Clarets, Fredericksburg Gunners, Hampton Roads Piranhas, Northern Virginia Royals, Reading Rage, Virginia Legacy, West Virginia Chaos
Northeast Division: Brooklyn Knights, Long Island Rough Riders, New Hampshire Phantoms, New Jersey Rangers, Newark Ironbound Express, Ocean City Barons, Ottawa Fury, Rhode Island Stingrays, Westchester Flames

Southern Conference
Mid South Division: Austin Aztex, DFW Tornados, El Paso Patriots, Houston Leones, Laredo Heat, Rio Grande Valley Bravos, Midland (TBA)
Southeast Division: Atlanta, Baton Rouge Capitals, Bradenton Academics, Central Florida Kraze, Mississippi Brilla, Nashville Metros, New Orleans Shell Shockers, Panama City Pirates

Western Conference
Southwest Division: Bakersfield Brigade, BYU Cougars, Fresno Fuego, Lancaster Rattlers, Los Angeles Storm, Ogden Outlaws, Orange County Blue Star, San Fernando Valley Quakes, Southern California Seahorses, Ventura County Fusion.

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that that Crew coach Sigi Schmid will not return to the team, and the official announcement is expected Wednesday.

Schmid has been mentioned as the likely inaugural coach of Seattle Sounders FC and reportedly met with the team last week.

In other MLS news, commissioner Don Garber is making a push to get Portland into the next wave of expansion. Hope that happens.

The Sounders have added a slide show from the kit unveiling event last Thursday.

Click here.

The Sounders FC members club will be known as Sounders FC Alliance, and the marching band will be known as the Sound Wave.

Here's the release from www.soundersfc.com.

RENTON, WASH. – Supporters of the Seattle Sounders FC have voted to name their members association the Sounders FC Alliance and the team’s marching band is now known as the Sound Wave, it was announced today.

Sounders FC Alliance won with 43 percent and Sound Wave finished with 50 percent in the voting which concluded at midnight Dec. 1.

“Once again, the people have spoken,” said Drew Carey, the minority owner who will serve as chairman of the Sounders FC Alliance. It was Carey who conceived of the idea that the new Major League Soccer franchise would embody Democracy in Sports, giving fans a voice in the club’s direction.

“I’m excited about the Alliance because this is all about the fans having their say, and they’ve chosen their name,” added Carey. “I am also perfectly happy with Sound Wave because, first, I voted for it, and the name just sounds right for a marching band.”

FSN serves as presenting sponsor of the Sounders FC Alliance.

Membership in Sounders FC Alliance is complimentary for season ticket holders, and non-season ticket holders can join for an annual fee of $125. Benefits include voting privileges, membership pin, membership card, discount at team shops, an invitation to the annual meeting, electronic newsletters during the season, an annual team report and more.

The 53-piece marching band, the first of its kind in MLS, was also the brainchild of Carey. The Sound Wave will next perform, along with the Blue Thunder, at halftime of the Sunday, Dec. 7, Seahawks game at Qwest Field.

Voting was primarily conducted online, beginning Nov. 20. Each category featured three choices of names, plus a write-in option.

Finishing second in the balloting was Sounders FC Members Association (32 percent) and, for the band, Green Machine (31 percent).

The Sounders revealed their full home and away uniforms last night.

Unfortunately, I'm not finding a good slideshow or multiple pictures on the soundersfc.com site, however their is this shot of the home uniforms -- green shirts/blue shorts -- while the TNT has a shot of the road kits -- blue shirts/green shorts.

So, what do you think?

I like them about as much as I can like a uniform that doesn't feature stripes. I like the distinct color scheme -- no one else in MLS has this look. And I like the mix of traditional Sounders colors while still looking fully modern.

Here's a Sounders' release explaining all the various colors and configurations:

The Seattle Sounders FC revealed their home and away kits. The authentic home kit features ‘rave green’ jerseys paired with ‘sounders blue’ shorts. The team will wear ‘sounders blue’ jerseys with the ‘rave green’ shorts on the road.

“We were passionate about the color scheme from the first presentation because it is so distinguishable,” said majority owner Joe Roth. “Regardless of where you are in the world, when
you see those colors you will be reminded of Seattle Sounders FC.”
The ‘Xbox 360 LIVE’ logo is featured prominently on the front of the jersey. The back of the jersey will display the player’s last name and number. The Sounders FC will debut their uniforms when the team takes the field in spring 2009.

The full on-field and training gear line integrates all the team colors including: rave green, sounder blue and cascade shale. Pending competition rules, the goalkeeper jersey will be
available in black, orange or gray. The pre-game warm-up jacket and fleece pants feature the cascade shale. All pieces prominently feature a silhouette or woven Sounders FC badge accompanied by the adidas three stripes.

The Sounders FC badge represents the organization’s personality, image, core competencies and characteristics. The badge was developed with two distinct layers to represent the partnership
between the ownership, the community, the players and the fans. The partners are all united under one banner which carries the team name.

“As the number one soccer brand in the world, we are proud to partner with Sounders FC to bring the team’s identity to life,” said Antonio Zea, Director of Soccer for North America at
adidas. “We are confident the fans will embrace the jersey’s design as well as the unique color combination of rave green and sounder blue that reflect the Pacific Northwest landscape.”

The latest in adidas apparel technology is featured in the Sounders FC kit including ClimaCool® and Formotion™ technologies, which allows heat and sweat to escape the body and is proven to
reduce fatigue and dehydration. The jersey also features ForMotion® technology, engineered to fit an athlete’s body in motion through 3-dimensional design and by flattening the seams to reduce irritation.

Major League Soccer has announced that the inaugural Seattle Sounders FC game will kick off at 6 p.m. March 19 vs. the New York Red Bulls at Qwest Field and before a national television audience.

New York is the 2008 MLS Cup runner-up.

“By being selected for the first match of the 2009 MLS season, this presents an opportunity to show a national audience what all the excitement is about in Seattle,” said Sounders FC majority owner Joe Roth. “Our supporters will be in full voice and, along with our players, wearing green. It promises to be quite a spectacle.”

The rest of MLS' opening weekend schedule features five matches on March 21 and another on March 22.

It was also announced that Seattle will be the guest for the Toronto FC home opener at noon April 4.

The complete MLS schedule will be released in early February. Each team plays a 30-game regular season, meeting every other MLS team home and away, for a base of 28 games. Two additional games against intra-conference rivals will complete each team’s league schedule. The regular season will end Oct. 25.

Six minutes on memory lane from goalseattle.com