US national team coach Bob Bradley was part of a conference call today, talking about the USA-Granada game Saturday at Qwest Field, which starts the U.S. defense of the CONCACAF Gold Cup title. (Some of this is also covered in my story in the Friday paper.)

Here's Bradley's answer to my question about Seattle as the site and the Fourth of July as the date:

“To answer the second part first, it is always special to hear the National Anthem and I think on the Fourth of July there’s a little bit extra there. We are excited to be opening up the Gold Cup; the fact that it’s in Seattle is great in many ways, but as an organization they have done a tremendous job of getting themselves going on the right foot. Their team is very good, fun to watch, I think anybody who has seen any of their games, whether live at Qwest Field or on TV can see the passion their fans have for the team. You see jerseys all over the city. I mentioned earlier that the training facility is first class. They deserve credit for how they went about bringing their team into the league, and I think it’s great that we’re beginning the Gold Cup here.”

Bradley also was asked asked about Sounders midfielder Brad Evans, who has been called in to the national team:

“Brad is a player that had a good season in Columbus last year and I think has really been an important part of Seattle’s success throughout the first part of this season. He’s a very good competitor, he’s athletic, and we also know that he’s had some experience in the past with our Under-20 team. So, I think it’s a very good time to assess him in the group, and, so far in training it’s just what you expect. He works very hard, has a great attitude and now we’ll have a chance going forward in this tournament to see more.”

This just in...

The Seattle Sounders FC have signed Costa Rican defender Leonardo Gonzalez, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Gonzalez’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 work permit and International Clearance.

Gonzalez, 28, will join Sounders FC after completing his call in to the national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He has been capped 59 times by Costa Rica, including three starts during the 2006 World Cup.

“It’s nice to have to have a naturally left-footed player. He can play left back, play center back in a pinch, and he can also play wide and run the whole line for us,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC coach. “He is an attacking left fullback with good size and athleticism. He’s very willing to get forward out of a defensive position and does a good job defensively.”

Costa Rica currently leads the final round of 2010 World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF. There are five qualifiers remaining, beginning August 12 at Honduras.

The Ticos open Gold Cup play on July 3 against El Salvador in Los Angeles. They face Jamaica in Columbus on July 7 and complete group play versus Canada on July 10 in Miami. The Gold Cup runs through July 26, with the final being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Gonzalez last played for Liberia Mia, newly crowned champion of the Costa Rican first division. Previously he was with Club Sport Herediano, which was runner-up in 2007.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Signed MF Leo Gonzalez

Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 174
Birthdate: 11/21/1980
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
Last Club: Liberia Mia (Costa Rica)