GoSounders.com » 2010

A Busy, But Convenient August Schedule

Mike — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:20:37 +0000

The Sounders have a whole slew of new matches on their schedule that weren’t there when the 2010 MLS Table was announced.

The Addition of 6 CCL Group Stage Matches fits conveniently into a 2 week MLS break between August 14th & 28th.

Date	Opponent	Time	Type
08/08 – Sunday	Houston	730p	MLS Buy Tickets
08/14 – Saturday	at Chivas USA	730p	MLS
08/19 – Thursday	at Marathon	TBD	CCL
08/25 – Wednesday	Monterrey	TBD	CCL
08/28 – Saturday	Chicago	730p	MLS Buy Tickets
09/01 – Wednesday	Chivas USA	730p	USOC Buy Tickets

Evans, Hurtado Get Salary Increases

Mike — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:49:29 +0000

The MLS Players Union released the 2010 salaries for its players yesterday.

Some quick things to note…

Brad Evans and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado will be making in the low $120s in 2010; both a generous increase
Nate Sturgis’s salary has almost been cut in half
Pete Vagenas took a 26% pay cut
Blaise Nkufo will be making $480,000

Player	2010	2009	%
Alonso, Osvaldo	68,737.50	65,000	5.8%
Boss, Terry	42,500	38,500	10.4%
Estrada, David	40,000
Evans, Brad	123,750	44,500	178.1%
Fucito, Mike	40,000	20,100	99.0%
Gonzalez, Leo	72,000	48,000	50.0%
Graham, Taylor	57,750	55,000	5.0%
Hurtado, Jhon	121,000	37,000	227.0%
Ianni, Patrick	75,600	72,000	5.0%
Jaqua, Nate	238,125	208,121	14.4%
Keller, Kasey	300,000	300,000	0.0%
Levesque, Roger	42,008	40,008	5.0%
Ljungberg, Freddie	1,314,000	1,314,000	0.0%
Tyrone Marshall	169,125	161,250	4.9%
Montaño, Miguel	40,008
Montero, Freddy	180,000	155,000	16.1%
Nkufo, Blaise	480,000
Noonan, Pat	96,000
Nyassi, Sanna	40,000	20,100	99.0%
Parke, Jeff	99,999.96
Riley, James	76,075	72,625	4.8%
Seamon, Michael	40,000
Scott, Zach	42,008	40,008	5.0%
Sturgis, Nathan	69,250	133,000	-47.9%
Vagenas, Peter	117,000	158,400	-26.1%
Wahl, Tyson	52,300	34,650	50.9%
Zakuani, Steve	178,000	163,000	9.2%

Sounders Gear: Jerseys, Jackets, & Sweatshirts- 20% Off

Mike — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:16:32 +0000

Planning on getting some Sounder Gear for Dad for Father’s Day, or … maybe even yourself? Our partner, Seattle Teams, is currently running a sale for 20% Off of Sounder Jerseys, Jackets, and Sweatshirts.

This includes all Men’s Jerseys- Authentic & Replica, Player & Blank, Rave Green or Sounder Blue or Electricity. That means that you can get the new Electricity Jersey or a Player’s Jersey for $72. A Replica Rave Green jersey is $56.

All of the Track Jackets and cold weather gear is also 20% Off.

If you’re a Seattle Sports Fan in general, all Jerseys, Jackets, and Sweatshirts for the Seahawks, Mariners, Huskies, and Cougars are 20% Off too. Hurry Up- This Sale Won’t Last Long!

Time for a Second Camping Trip! (Now With More Hallucinogens)

laurie — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:00:06 +0000

(This is part 2 of The True Story of “The Camping Trip.” For part 1, from last season, go here.)

Scene: Mt. Rainier, again, after dusk. Freddie Ljungberg and Fredy Montero are washing a skillet and two plates in a stream.
***

Montero: So why are we back here again?

Ljungberg: Sigi says the last camping trip “didn’t take.” Pretty sure that’s American for “you’re still not passing me the ball.”

Montero: Yeah? Well I think it’s more American for, “You need to stop whining.”

Ljungberg: Shut up. This sucks. And this time they didn’t even send food.

Montero: Well, at least the owl’s eggs and wild mushrooms I found made a good omelet.

Sigmund Freud: I’ll say.

Ljungberg: Uh… Who are you and what are you doing here?

Sigmund Freud: I’m Sigmund Freud. Obviously. And I’m not actually here — I’m merely a figment of your mushroom omelet.

Ljungberg: Uh-oh.

Freud: Oh, don’t worry. I’m here to help you work through your issues. Mr. Montero, let’s start with you.

Montero: Uh….

Freud: I believe all the problems you are currently experiencing are rooted in your unacknowledged Oedipal complex.

Montero: My What-ipal complex?

Freud: Your Oedipal Complex. Your problems will be solved when you accept that, like Oedipus, you want to kill your father and marry your mother.

Montero: Ewww! Try again.

Freud: Kill your grandfather and marry your grandmother?

Montero: ICK!

Freud: Brother and sister?

Montero: Who the hell is this guy?

Freud: Wait! I’ve got it! You want to kill Freddie and steal his girlfriend!

Montero: Now we’re onto something.

Freud: Right. First problem solved. Moving on. Mr. Ljungberg? I am certain that all of your problems stem from improper toilet training.

Ljungberg: WHAT?!?

Freud: Your parents were too harsh with you during toilet training, which has led to your current displeasure, culminating in explosions at referees.

Ljungberg: Oh, Bullsh*t

Freud: What? You can’t say that! I’m Sigmund Freud, father of modern psychiatry!

Ljungberg: Yeah? Bullsh*t. I explode at the referees because it’s easier than exploding at the players. I don’t know how to play with guys who aren’t the best of the best, and I want to make them better but can’t. And in the meantime my playing days are ticking away and I’m getting mowed down like alfalfa and I’m afraid of ending my career as a failure because I moved to MLS. That’s why I whine to the referees. Oh, and also because they suck.

Freud: Heheh. Right. Of course. That’s what I meant.

Ljungberg: And I resent Fredy because he’s talented, and he’s young, and he has his whole life ahead of him and he’s pissing it all away.

Montero: You think I’m talented?

Ljungberg: Of course I do! Talented, but lazy. If you made half the runs you should, and stayed late to work on your shooting, and did a little more mental prep before each game, you’d really have something.

Montero: Oh, Freddie, I never knew you cared! I think maybe I can start passing to you now!

Ljungberg: Then I think maybe I can stop whining.

Freud: My work here is done. To celebrate, why don’t we all join into a rousing chorus of Kum Ba Ya!

♫
Someone’s crying, Lord
Kum Ba Yah! ♬

Montero and Ljungberg: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Freud: Oh. Right. Sorry.

Ljungberg: One last thing, Sigi.

Freud: Sigmund. It’s Sigmund.

Ljungberg: Right. Sigmund. The league isn’t going to go all Jeff Parke on us now, is it? Are we going to get a ten-game suspension for accidental mushroom ingestion?

Freud: Tell you what. I have a little pull with Garber. We did some work together. Can’t say much, but his mom is hot. If you know what I mean.

Montero: EWWW!

Freud: Um…yeah. Don’t worry about the suspensions. I’d be more concerned about the “Mushroom Migraine.”

Ljungberg: Mushroon Migraine? Is that what I’m going to be dealing with? You gave me mushrooms that cause… Of all the incompetent….!

Freud: Uh…Freddie? You’re whining again.

Ljungberg: Oh. Right. Sorry.

Freud: Sigh. This may take longer than I thought.

Your Seattle Sounders: Sports Team of the Year

Mike — Fri, 21 May 2010 00:24:00 +0000

The Sports Business Journal announced today that the Seattle Sounders are Sports Team of Year by

Tod Leiweke, CEO of Vulcan Sports, was nominated for the National Executive of the Year.

MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto

jt — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:50:10 +0000

Rumors are true, the Cup game is going North.

Toronto FC and BMO Field will host the 2010 MLS Cup in November.

From MLSsoccer.com:
NEW YORK — MLS Commissioner Don Garber hinted at it prior to the start of the season. Toronto media reported it last week. Today it became official.

MLS today announced that MLS Cup 2010 will be hosted at BMO Field in Toronto on Sun., Nov. 21.

For the second straight year, the final will be played in primetime (8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and Telefutura). Last year’s evening kick-off in Seattle, was considered a popular move by most fans.

Weather conditions could be a concern in Toronto. The average high on Nov. 21 in Toronto is 43 degrees, and the record low, set in 1879, is 4 degrees. However, on the same day as the 2009 MLS Cup final, when a chilly rain swept through Seattle’s Qwest Field, Toronto enjoyed pleasant 50-degree weather.

The MLS Cup announcement comes on the heels of $5.5 million in upgrades to BMO Field, including the installation of additional seating and a natural grass surface, which is currently in progress. The stadium is due to be ready by the April 15 home opener for Toronto FC.

While it was confirmed that Toronto FC season ticket holders would have priority on MLS Cup tickets, the league said it will release ticket information at a later date.

BMO Field has sold out every match since it opened in 2007, including the MLS All-Star Game in 2008.

MLS Cup 2010 will likely be no different.

Rumor: MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto

jt — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:59:37 +0000

It’s being reported in The Globe and Mail that the 2010 MLS Cup and Supporter Summit will be in Toronto. While their new grass is pretty, I’m a little disappointed in the amount of travel that supporters of the two clubs in the Cup are going to have to organize with less than a weeks notice. Some would say the same for Seattle, but at least we have direct flights to every city (other than Columbus). With the showing that Real Salt Lake had at MLS Cup 2009, can we expect an atmosphere anywhere near that level?

NO STRIKE! – NEW CBA is SIGNED

jt — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:33:53 +0000

ESPN is reporting that MLS and the Players Union have called a joint press conference at 10am today.

Update: 10:07 – Dan Courtemanche just asked for 5-7 minutes. Over 100 journalists are on the teleconference and roughly 20 players in DC, including the Sounders Graham, Riley and Keller. Video interviews with the players available later this afternoon.

Update: 10:18 – A new 5 year CBA was signed this morning after a long night. New contract rights to allow movement within the single entity that is MLS. More money is there, but that wasn’t key, and most contracts are now guaranteed.

Update: 10:33 – Free agency was the big issue, as agreed by all. What the MLSPU suggested was a “Re-Entry Draft” to be held after the season. More details to come on how it will work.

Update: 10:54 – Lots of details haven’t even been passed to the clubs so lack of details at this point isn’t a surprise. Free agency turns owners into competing bidding for player services, and MLS was setup so as that would not happen.

Update: 11:00 – Designated Player rule or slots weren’t part of the CBA discussions.

Wow, that was a lot to listen to, at the same time keeping everyone updated. As details come out, expect more discussions here at GoSounders.com

Official MLS Release:
NEW YORK (Saturday, March 20, 2010) – Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Major League Soccer Players Union (MLSPU) today announced that they have reached agreement in principle on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement covering five seasons, commencing with the 2010 season and continuing through December 31, 2014.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber and MLSPU Executive Director Bob Foose announced the agreement today via teleconference call, five days prior to the start of the League’s 15th season.

“We are very pleased to have reached agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the MLS Players Union,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “This new agreement allows us to work with our players to continue our mutual efforts to build the sport of soccer in North America. We worked hard during the past few months to develop a new agreement that addressed many of the players’ most important issues and look forward to a meaningful and productive new relationship over the next five years.”

“I would like to thank the players and the leadership of the Union for their involvement and commitment to the collective bargaining process as well as our fans for their patience as we worked together to reach an agreement,” Garber said. “I also want to thank George Cohen for his expertise in assisting the parties though mediation.”

“The Union is happy with this agreement as it addresses the core issue of players’ rights and we look foward to working cooperatively with the League going foward,” said Bob Foose, Executive Director of the Union.

LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan said: “We have a deep appreciation for the commitment shown by the owners both historically and through this process to make MLS one of the top leagues in the world.”

The concluding phase of the negotiations was conducted under the auspices of George Cohen, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the MLS Board of Governors and the membership of the MLSPU.

Major League Soccer’s 15th season kicks off March 25 when the expansion Philadelphia Union travel to Seattle to take on Sounders FC in a nationally televised match on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com. The other 14 MLS clubs are in action on March 26 and 27.

Players cut to get down to 22 + 4

jt — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:11:55 +0000

With the idea that a CBA will happen and that roster compliance will be a knee jerk reaction, the team cut 4 players today. Our best goes out to Ellis McLoughlin, Lamar Neagle, Kevin Souter and Jamel Wallace. The current over all roster is listed below, but expect one or two more cuts. Jaqua or Graham may be placed on the IR if they’re not ready for the 25th, and there may be hope of an extra roster spot or two depending on the CBA. Oh how the world turns until that gets resolved.

SENIOR (22)
GK — Kasey Keller
GK — Terry Boss
GK — Chris Eylander
D — Jhon Kennedy Hurtado
D — Tyrone Marshall
D — James Riley
D — Leo Gonzalez
D — Patrick Ianni
D — Taylor Graham
D — Tyson Wahl
D — Zach Scott
D — Jeff Parke
M — Freddie Ljungberg
M — Osvaldo Alonso
M — Steve Zakuani
M — Peter Vagenas
M — Stephen King
M — Nathan Sturgis
M — Roger Levesque
M — Brad Evans
F — Fredy Montero
F — Nate Jaqua

DEVELOPMENTAL (4)
M — Sanna Nyassi
M — David Estrada
M — Miguel Montano
F — Mike Fucito

* not under contract

Home Opener Sold Out

jt — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:46:41 +0000

Finally, it’s official! Oh, and the Galaxy minus Beckham is sold out as well.

Buy your tickets now!