From Don Garber

Posted by Mike on November 11, 2009 · Under MLS · View Comments 

TO: Seattle Sounders FC Inaugural Season Ticket Holder

FROM: MLS Commissioner Don Garber

RE: Thank You and MLS Cup 2009

DATE: November 11, 2009

The inaugural season of the Seattle Sounders FC will forever be known as one of the key moments in the history of soccer in America.  I have no doubt that it was one of the most successful launches of an expansion team in the annals of professional sports.

When we launched the team, I never could have imagined that the Sounders FC would average over 34,000 fans per game and set records for season tickets and total regular season and playoff attendance.  As importantly, the Club captured the imagination of the entire city – from the “March to the Match” to the passionate fans and supporters who painted the town “green” each home game.

As an Inaugural Season Ticket Holder, I want to thank you for your commitment to the Sounders FC and your belief in Major League Soccer.  Your support has played a key role in the success of the Club and has established a new paradigm for what professional soccer can be in our country.

As you know, MLS Cup – the Championship of Major League Soccer – will take place at Qwest Field on Sunday, November 22nd.   As a season ticket holder, you received a ticket to this very special event.  I want to encourage you to “Give us your Full 90″ and support the Sounders FC and MLS by attending the match.

The Sounders FC had a terrific year – on and off the field.  We plan to honor all Sounders FC fans and players during a special pre-game ceremony before a live television audience on ESPN.

I hope I can count on you to continue to show a worldwide audience that Seattle is a great soccer city and the Sounders FC have passionate, knowledgeable and truly committed fans!

I look forward to seeing you at Qwest Field on November 22nd.

  • MissBeth

    It was SO much fun working with Sounders fans in this, our inaugural season.

    The energy Sounders fans brought each and every week got me interested in learning about a sport I didn’t know a lot about, but I continue to learn :)

    I hope as Mr. Garber does, that Sounders season ticket holders will turn out in thier blue and green wave and show your Sounder pride and more importantly your support for the sport called in Europe, futball, and here in the USA, Soccer.

    SCARVES UP!!!!

    XOXOXO….MissBeth
    Proud member of the Event Services Staff @
    Qwest Field

  • beowuff

    How I wish I could afford season tickets! At least I got to go to a couple of games… Maybe 2011 I can afford the season pass. :)

  • supporter

    $400 are the cheapest season tickets, you might have a partial obstructed view by all the craziness of GA :(   that is, if you can get tickets in GA

    football, futbol, soccer, MLS

  • Artesian

    Thank you Mr. Garber. Now, do something about your horrendous level of officiating.

  • budbud

    Yeah, after attending every home game (including those) at Starfire) as well as 3 road games this year, I don’t need to be lectured on how to support my team.

    If the front office and the league are so worried about attendance (or lack thereof) then there are lots of solutions.  I’ve said here before that the latino outreach is lacking, so why not set up a ticket donation program for STH to benefit local latinos?  It would take a programmer a day to set up the site and one phone call to a local latino org.

    I’m not going to go sit in the rain to watch two team play that I don’t like.  Sorry.

  • Craig

    “We plan to honor all Sounders FC fans and players during a special pre-game ceremony before a live television audience on ESPN.”

    if you followed prostAmerica you would have known this already with his BREAKING NEWS.

  • jt

    Dear Don,

    As the team with the two players with most fouls suffered, please clean up your ref crews.  Ljungberg on average was fouled more than 3 times a match, with Montero averaging over 2 fouls suffered as well.  This is not the NBA where giving fouls is part of the accepted gamesmanship that teams use.  We don’t send a player to the spot for a PK if they have been fouled.  Fouls happen, but when certain players are being targeted due to their elevated profile, there needs to be action on the part of the ref.  The frustration in being constantly attacked has lead to Ljungberg to be carded on many occurances.  Understand it is not just the players that are frustrated but we as fans deserve better quality soccer.

  • Joe

    I still don’t know what to make of Garber. I just wonder if he’s pals w/ Stern….

  • fan of football

    I agree with budbud to a certain degree.  After living through the season’s ups and downs, it will be difficult to go watch 2 teams that I don’t care for battle it out in cold weather.

    On the other hand, Seattle is currently 1 of 27ish cities in the running to host games at WC 2018/2022 (if we get it).  The vote narrowing it to 18 cities happens in early December.   WC Bid Committee members will be at the Final on the 22nd.  This is the last chance we have to show how ridiculous it would be to leave us off the list (and it would be ridiculous).

    Despite my thoughts about the 2 teams, I plan to show up on the 22nd rain or shine and do what I’ve been doing all season not because of 2 teams I don’t care about, but for the possibility of seeing some of the greatest players in the world in 2018/2022.

    Not just that, I would love to have another USMNT match played here sometime soon (please just not on July 4, Thanksgiving or Christmas)

    (And if you haven’t signed the petition at http://www.gousabid.com, do it, because that is another thing the committee will be using to choose the 18 cities.)

  • budbud

    Sigi said today he has no interest in watching other MLS games for the remainder of the playoffs.  Works for me.

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