Greg Howes vows to bring: “Structure, passion, youth, and professionalism [to] develop relationships in the community that will help the development of [soccer] in Tacoma.”

The Tacoma Tide FC has a new head coach to lead them in an exciting North West soccer scene. It is not an exaggeration to say that Greg Howes, the Tacoma Tide FC’s new head coach for 2009 is a world class soccer presence. Howes’ experience in competing for the United States National Team and numerous indoor soccer accolades is only equaled by his representation of our National Futsal team in the World Championships. Howes brings a number of things to the Tide with his appointment of Head Coach. One of the biggest factors is his understanding of the current soccer climate in the NW.

General Manager & Owner of the Tide - Mike Jennings - “The Tacoma Tide Sports Club is proud to introduce Greg Howes as our new head coach of the Tacoma Football Club. Tacoma and Pierce County have a rich tradition of quality soccer and I am pleased that the Tide will have the services of one of its own outstanding soccer products to guide our team this season. Greg is a wonderful player and a strong, up and coming coach. I am looking forward to working with him in the 2009 campaign and toward another division crown.”

With the Sounders FC gracing much of the area’s media, and with Vancouver and Portland to join the excitement for 2011, it is important for the Tide to find where they fall into this NW soccer landscape. Greg Howes understands right where the future for Tacoma soccer can be because he’s taken part in its history:

“I’ve played in the PDL back in the late 90’s back, when I was at Oregon State.” Howes said. “That’s how I ended up getting drafted by the sounders (USL-1). They saw me playing against their PDL team. I played there, and then I was picked up in the old MISL, then the A league, and got called up to play with the US National Team when Bruce Arena was there.” - Greg Howes.

For more quotes, and the rest of the story, check out TacomaFC.com

I'll have a preview story in the Saturday paper, looking back to 2004, when Salt Lake City beat out Seattle for an MLS expansion team.

But for now, an early look at the first one-field meeting of the two sides:

REAL SALT LAKE
AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (1-0-0; 3 pts.)
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Qwest Field.
TV: KONG 6/16.
Radio: 710 AM, 97.3 FM, and in Spanish on 1210 AM.

Other meetings: Seattle makes its regular-season return visit to Salt Lake on Aug. 8. The sides also will meet April 28 at Tukwila in a play-in match for the U.S. Open Cup.

Coach Sigi Schmid’s scouting report: “You pretty much know (RSL) is going to be a 4-4-2. … They got a great playmaker in (Javier) Morales, who can be very, very dangerous. They have good speed up front in (Yura) Movsisyan and (Robbie) Findley. They have a couple other midfielders who have an eye for a game in Clint Mathis and Will Johnson, people like that. (Kyle) Beckerman’s as good a defensive midfielder. (RSL has) made some good moves, but I think that trade for Beckerman was one of the best they’ve ever made. They’ve got some experience in the back with (Jamison) Olave and (Nat) Borchers. It’s definitely a quality team. Nick Rimando is one of my favorite people -- it’s always fun playing against him in goal.”

Notes: It’s pronounced RAY-al. “Internationally, the ‘Real’ brand signifies soccer at its highest level,” owner David Checketts said. … On the Salt Lake roster is midfielder Raphael Cox, who was raised in Tacoma and played for the University of Washington. … For the second time, Sounders FC has called up goalkeeper Ben Dragavon using the “extreme hardship” rule to provide a second keeper while Chris Eylander remains unavailable due to knee injury. … Defender Jeff Parke is no longer with the Sounders. He worked out during the week, but the sides did not agree on a contract. Schmid said a trade of his MLS rights will be considered. … Sounders forward Nate Jaqua has scored five goals in his last five games against RSL. … The game is sold out. … Fans again are invited to “March to the Match” starting 90 minutes before kickoff at Occidental Park near Pioneer Square. … Fans also are encouraged to donate to the “Nothing but Net” anti-malaria campaign. Donations can be made at the stadium gates or at the Pro Shop.

Next: 1 p.m. April 4; at Toronto, BMO Field; FSN.

The long and winding road that will take Jeff Parke to parts unknown has gotten longer still. Parke informed Sounders FC on Wednesday that he will no longer train with the team.

Parke had been the Sounders' selection in the expansion draft. However, he wasn't under contract and chose to investigate career opportunities in Belgium. However, those didn't work out and he arrived in Seattle last week. However, apparently that didn't work out either, and now he's off to parts unknown.

After practice today at Starfire, coach Sigi Schmid said that Parke's bridge back to Seattle isn't necessarily burned. However, he also said that all concerned should probably assess their own best interests, including the Sounders considering trading Parke's MLS rights.

Meanwhile, the Sounders also announced that their 7:30 p.m. Saturday game against Real Salt Lake is a sellout. The game will be shown live on KONG/Channel 6.

Some tickets remain for the Sounders' next home game, April 11 against Kansas City.