A Glance by Fredy Montero w/ Racing Stripes (Chris Coulter photo)

MLS named Sounders Designated Player, Fredy Montero, the MLS Humanitarian of the Month for March… for what he did in December.

Full Release:

Major League Soccer and the Seattle Sounders FC today announced forward Fredy Montero was selected as the MLS W.O.R.K.S. “Humanitarian of the Month” for March. The award recognizes Montero’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for the massive floods and devastation throughout his native country of Colombia.

Back in December, heavy rains caused flooding and mudslides in Montero’s hometown of Campo de la Cruz, Colombia. While the Sounders and their supporters responded with fundraisers in Seattle, Montero flew to Colombia to support his family and neighbors. More than two million Colombians have been affected by the disaster.

Mercy Corps, Sounders FC, Emerald City Supporters, Gorilla FC and the North End Faithful in addition to Sounders FC fans throughout the country joined to raise more than $29,000 to help flood relief efforts.

Three of the Sounders FC players hail from Colombia (Montero, Miguel Montaño, and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado), where Mercy Corps has worked since 2007 to help survivors of Latin America’s longest-running conflict. They’re working with the most vulnerable residents – landmine survivors, displaced families, at-risk children – in the areas most affected by violence.

Meanwhile, Montero continues to contribute to the efforts.
“I tried to give my best because too many people are in need of help. It’s very sad because your family has the problem,” said Montero. “I’m going to help for as long as they need. Nothing is done yet. We have to keep helping until it’s better.”

MLS W.O.R.K.S. is Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues affecting young people and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS W.O.R.K.S. seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport.

Prompted by the high demand, tickets for the March 9th Community Shield match against the Colorado Rapids will go on sale on Wednesday, February 2nd at 10a.

The $10 tickets will be available at www.SoundersFC.com, by calling 877-MLS-GOAL, all Ticketmaster outlets and the Qwest Field Box office.

General Admission tickets for the Qwest Field event will go on sale Monday, February 14.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth (6-17). Children under the age of six are free.

All proceeds from the match will benefit the team’s five community partners: America SCORES Seattle, Boys & Girls Clubs (King Co. & Bellevue), Special Olympics Washington, Washington Global Health and Washington Youth Soccer.

In 2010, the Community Shield raised over $80,000 for the team’s charity partners.

Chris Coulter was on the scene at Fuel for Wednesday evening’s Sounders FC & MercyCorps fundraiser to benefit the floods in Colombia.

If you couldn’t make it to the benefit, you can still donate http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/seattlesoundersfc

[Show as slideshow]

DONATE HERE: http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/seattlesoundersfc

Via Sounders Press Release…

Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero has returned to his hometown of Campo de la Cruz, Colombia the team announced today.

Montero received a call from his grandfather on Monday asking for his help. Weeks of rain and flooding in several Colombian states has caused the nation’s worst natural disaster in nearly two decades.

“Once I saw how bad it was I knew in my heart I had to go as soon as possible,” said Montero. “I’m hoping with assistance from others I can get the resources to help those who are in need.”

The Sounders FC have partnered with Mercy Corps to raise funds for the region. Mercy Corps have had representatives inColombia since 2006. The non-profit is currently providing emergency relief kits, including: clean water, food, and hygiene materials.

WHO: Sounders FC coaches and players

WHAT: Fundraiser to benefit “Colombian Flood Relief” presented by the Emerald City Supporters, Gorilla FC, North End Supporters, and Seattle Sounders FC.  The event will be hosted by Fuel.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 15. 6-9p

WHERE: Fuel [164 South Washington Street, Seattle]

HOW: Attendees will be able to meet Sounders FC coaches and players and bid on a number of exclusive auction items, including but not limited to the following:

• Autographed soccer balls, Sounders FC jerseys and posters
• VIP experience for the Community Shield match in March
• Play a Sounder FC player or coach in FIFA 11

COST: Suggested minimum donation of $5 per person

For more information and to donate to Colombian Flood Relief visit http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/seattlesoundersfc

Thanks to Chris Coulter and SoundersPhotos.com for the image

Who do you think will win?

From the Club…

WHAT: EA SPORTS Pro Player Challenge tournament to determine the best Sounders FC player at FIFA Soccer 11.

The Sounders FC team champion will be flown to Los Angeles to compete against other MLS team champions for bragging rights as the #1 pro soccer player at FIFA Soccer 11.

The overall MLS champion will receive $10,000 to his charity of choice and the opportunity to compete against other international league champions, i.e., EPL, La Liga, etc.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 16, 6-10 p.m. Championship match is scheduled to begin around 9 p.m.

WHERE: Market Arms – 2401 NW Market Street, Seattle

HOW: Players compete in a single elimination tournament. Each match lasts approximately 15 minutes.

WHY: The tournament will determine the Sounders FC champion who will advance to the EA SPORTS Pro Player Challenge MLS Final. The MLS champion will compete online against champions from European leagues.

OTHER: There is no admission fee but fans are invited to bring nonperishable food or cash donations for Northwest Harvest.

James Riley 7-A-Side Youth Soccer Tournament
October 3, 2010 ~ 8 am – 5 pm
Presented by Martin/James and Gorilla Football Collective
Hosted by Arena Sports
Benefiting the Renton/Skyway Boys & Girls Club

TOURNAMENT DETAILS:

Who: B-U10, G-U10, B-U12, G-U12
When: Sunday, October 3, 2010; 8am-5pm
Where: Arena Sports – Redmond

Cost: $40 per player ($400 per team w/a 10 person roster). All proceeds to benefit the Renton/Skyway Boys & Girls Club.
What: Guaranteed 3 – 30 minute games– more if you get to the finals! (minimum 3 games, maximum 5 games)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 29, 10. Register through Arena Sports by calling 425.885.4881 or online at www.arenasports.net

More details on the GFC site

from the club…

RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Sounders FC announced today the launch of a six-week fundraising campaign to help raise money and awareness for the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign-a global, grassroots initiative to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Sounders FC owner Drew Carey and midfielder Sanna Nyassi will serve as honorary co-chairs of the fundraising initiative that will begin on May 1 and run through June 10.

Long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets are one of the most effective methods of preventing the spread of malaria. A $10 donation allows Nothing But Nets to purchase a net, deliver it to a family, and educate on its use. Fans who donate $30 or more will receive a limited edition Drew Carey bobblehead.

The team became more familiar with the impact of malaria last spring when Nyassi, a native of Gambia, shared his own story about contracting the disease at age 16. Nyassi was fortunate to survive.

“I was alarmed to learn that malaria is a leading killer of children in Africa and even more surprised to learn I know someone who had been diagnosed with the disease,” said Carey. “So it was easy for me to say yes when I was approached about doing a bobblehead to help raise money and awareness to combat this disease.”

Carey hopes Nyassi’s story along with additional League-wide efforts to support Nothing But Nets leading up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will raise more awareness and commitments to keep up the fight against malaria.

“As a grassroots campaign, Nothing But Nets counts on its partners and supporters to spread the buzz about saving lives through malaria prevention,” said campaign director Adrianna Logalbo. “We are grateful to the Sounders FC for helping us raise funds and awareness to send nets and save lives.”

More on SoundersFC.com

Due to severe winter weather forecasts predicted for Denver and its surrounding areas, the Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders FC have cancelled their Charity Shield match that had previously been scheduled for this Friday, March 19 at 7 pm at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

In looking at the potentially hazardous weather that is predicted to transpire over the next 24-48 hours, the Sounders FC and Rapids felt it was in the best interest and safety of fans, players, coaches and staff to cancel the match rather than risk any potential adverse situation. With travel conditions for Seattle not being advisable, both teams felt it was best for all involved to take this proactive position.

James Riley & The Sounders defeated Portland last summer

Sounders FC host the USL’s Portland Timbers on Thursday for the Pacific Northwest edition of the Community Shield. In an anticipated matchup, over 13,000 tickets have been sold. [Buy Tickets] Proceeds from the benefit will be directed to Boys and Girls Club of Washington State, Seattle SCORES, Soccer Saves and Washington Youth Soccer.

Seattle and Portland have been rivals since 1975 when both clubs were members of the NASL. The Sounders and the Timbers also faced each other for 8 seasons when both squads were members of USL-1.

In 2009, Portland won their first outright trophy by claiming the Commissioner’s Cup for the best record in USL-1.

The two clubs met in the Third Round of the US Open Cup last summer, a match won by Seattle 2-1.

Portland is led by Mandjou Keita who scored  11 goals last season.  Quavas Kirk (DC United), Ian Joy (Real Salt Lake), and Adin Brown (Aalesunds FC in Norway) have been added to the Timber roster in the offseason.

Kickoff is slated for 6p from Qwest Field. Tickets are available.