Official Release

The Seattle Sounders FC announced today midfielder/forward Pat Noonan has signed a contract extension through the remainder of the season. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Noonan, 30, made his first appearance of the season last Sunday versus New England. He is in his second year with Sounders FC after scoring one goal and one assist in 12 games (eight starts) in 2010.

“I’m pleased that we could work out an agreement that’s beneficial to both Pat and the club,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “Pat has vision and intelligence that strengthens the team when he’s on the field, and now that he’s healthy we feel he can help us during the second half of the season.”

Noonan spent the latter portion of last season on the Disabled List and underwent hip surgery during the offseason.

A veteran of nine MLS seasons, Noonan has 41 goals and 33 assists in 165 career appearances.

Miguel Montaño is trying to earn a contract (Chris Coulter photo)

Following up on the heels of Monday’s MRIs for Pat Noonan and Mike Fucito we have some updates.

• Fucito has sustained a moderate adductor strain. Sigi Schmid noted that, “a lot depends on how his recovery goes. It’s somewhere probably between three and six weeks so it depends how he responds.”
• Noonan has an upper foot bruise, but was participation fully in Tuesday’s practice.
• Mike Seamon is getting better and after Wednesday, the Training Staff is “going to allow him to re-enter training”
• The Sounders up to this point have not picked up the option to buy Miguel Montaño‘s contract. Essentially, he is a trialist with the club at this moment.

A Frustrated Mike Fucito after injuring himself against the Whitecaps (Chris Coulter photo)

In Sunday’s pre-season match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, forward Mike Fucito pulled up lame in the 35th minute. Following the match, head coach Sigi Schmid noted that Fucito sustained a pulled his abductor.

He will undergo an MRI on Monday.

Also visiting the imaging specialist is Pat Noonan who will also be receiving an MRI. According to the Sounders, “he took a shot right at the top of the foot the day before the game.”

Midfielder Brad Evans has been removed from the DL. He is eligible to return to play against Toronto FC on October 2nd at Qwest Field.

Versatile Two-Time MLS All-Star Ranks 20th in Goals Among Active Players

RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC have signed forward Pat Noonan, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Noonan, 29, is a two-time MLS All-Star selection and ranks No. 3 in career goals and assists for New England. He has 14 U.S. National Team caps. The seven-year veteran was released by Colorado on March 23.

“I’m excited that Pat Noonan was available and we were able to sign him,” Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said. “My experience with him was a very good one in Columbus.”

“Pat is a good player who can play a number of different positions on the field, and is a very solid professional.”

Noonan was an integral part of the New England teams which advanced to three consecutive MLS Cup Finals from 2005-07 and won the 2007 U.S. Open Cup. As a rookie he finished with 10 goals and scored a career-high 11 in 2004. Noonan scored two goals and four assists during Open Cup play in 2007 and was named the MVP of the Final.

Over five seasons with the Revolution, Noonan scored 37 goals and 29 assists. He finished tied for the MLS lead in total points in 2004, and was chosen to play in the MLS All-Star game in 2004 and 2005.

In 2008, Noonan signed with Norway’s Aalesunds FK, making 11 appearances over a short period before re-signing with MLS and joining Sigi Schmid’s Columbus Crew in August of 2008. Noonan made 11 appearances with the Crew and played all four playoff matches, helping win the MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield.

Noonan was traded by Columbus to Colorado on June 15, 2009. He made 17 appearances for the Rapids with two starts, scoring two goals.

Noonan ranks 20th among active MLS players in goals. His career totals are 152 regular season appearances, 40 goals and 32 assists.

In 2004, Noonan made his debut with the United States national team in a match against Haiti. He has one goal and two assists in international play. Noonan was a key member of the 2005 Gold Cup champions and an alternate on the 2006 World Cup team.

Noonan was selected ninth overall in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft out of Indiana University, where he left as the Hoosiers’ No. 6 career scorer. Indiana won the 1999 NCAA Championship and Noonan played in three College Cup finals.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Signed F Pat Noonan

Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Birthdate: 8/2/1980
Hometown (Citizenship): Ballwin, Missouri (USA)
College: Indiana University
Last Club: Colorado Rapids

According to Don Ruiz of the News Tribune, the club has signed the 29-year-old forward who has appeared 12 times for the US Men’s National Team.

Noonan, who can “deliver pinpoint crosses with his right foot”, graduated from Indiana in 2002 and spent 6 seasons with the New England Revolution before playing in Columbus and Colorado, who released him last week.

The 6-Foot Striker has scored 40 career MLS goals in 152 matches.

There has been no official word from the club.