Sounders and the PDL: not so far...

Portland's got one. So does Vancouver. Hey, Seattle...

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/sounders-remain-on-sidelines-when-it-comes-to-pdl/


We continue to discuss the pros and cons to running a PDL team,” Hanauer says, ”and whether it makes most sense to run an amateur version or a professional version. The reason for not running one, has simply been that we haven’t calculated the benefits to be worthy of the expense. But we are always assessing our position.” ---Adrian Hanauer

The Pumas offer a place for contracted (pro) players. The others offer a chance for academy / college-bound Sounder recruits.

In three years I think there have been maybe five guys out of Sounders camp who stuck with Kitsap. Brian Meredith being the most-recent.

It's too bad Tacoma is having such a hard time of it so far. Good fans down there but almost no connection going on with the Tide.

The Stars however are supah.

I see no need for the Sounders to have their own PDL club.

There are a enough local teams that the Sounders can have players go to if needed and they can still get training in with the Sounders. This works for those college kids not yet signed.

But if possible, I would rather have those players who are sent out on loan to get playing time get it at a higher level.

One option I wouldn't mind seeing if there is ever enough D2 or D3 teams in the Western US to make this happen is for the Sounders to help get a proper D2/D3 team in Spokane. Use that team as your place to loan players to and have close ties with them. With drafted players who don't make the Sounders going there as well. Then you get players going back and forth. Which helps boost the interest of the Sounders in Eastern WA and Northern Idaho.

Maybe set up a Sounders affiliate Academy who works alongside that team.

Maybe get something set up like this in Boise too Would love to have something like this sitting between Timber and RSL territory just pissing them off.

The other part of this is...OK, so the PDL might not fit as a Sounders entry...So...do the Sounders march merrily along while these local clubs remain under attended and lost in their shadow?

At some point do the Sounders owe it to the greater soccer community to increase their involvement in some meaningful way? Maybe even become a 'sponsor' of the Northwest Division?

Are healthy local PDL sides also a good thing for the Sounders in some way?

It would be nice if there was more synergy between the Sounders and the PDL teams.

For instance, pushing the local PDL teams to schedule their home games to not conflict with the Sounders. Then the Sounders can do some simple marketing for the PDL teams by pushing the PDL teams and their games on their online content etc. They should especially touch on the local match ups and rivalries.

The Sounders might be able to leverage some of their sponsors to get involved with the local PDL teams as well.

They could do player appearances at some of the games and sign autographs before and after the game.

Seven current Sounders once played in the PDL...

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2011/12/25/quick-glance-seven-current-sounders-once-played-in-pdl/

OK, finally the news is breaking...

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer/2012/01/16/tacoma-tide-could-become-sounders-u23/

The Tacoma Tide is discussing a working agreement that could bring the Premier Development League team under the Seattle Sounders FC umbrella.

“We’re having some conversations about that,” Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer said today. “… We’ve had discussions about ways in which we might be able to partner together on our academy kids that go off to school.”

In part because the idea here is playing time for academy guys who are home from college (amateur). The Kitsap Pumas pay their players, so that rules them out from this function.

Also, the new Tacoma PDL owners are driving this, and the Sounders don't have much to lose as they are not paying the bills for this side.

We could see a situation still where a Sounders pro (such as a Bryan Meredith type) is shuffled to Kitsap and goes up against a Sounders amateur from the U-23's.

When the Tacoma PDL head coach is announced it will be clear just how far-reaching the Sounders influence will be with them.

The coach? People like me Don't Say things told to us in confidence.

Times with a blurb:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2017260056_sounders_exploring_pdl_involve.html

Rave Green has me seeing Yellow.

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/the-wash-future-sounders-u-23s-should-honor-their-yellow-tacoma-history/

Tacoma PDL soccer will be given a new lease on life thanks to the efforts of Mike Jennings to negotiate with new owners Cliff McElroy and Lane Smith. The triad then prompted discussions with Seattle Sounders FC that have reached the point where final details are being hashed out. An official agreement awaits; one that will see Tacoma’s club broaden its appeal and turn from bright yellow to rave green. The Sounders will officially have a PDL affiliate.

So here I am, typing away in my old yellow Tide t-shirt, understanding the best thing to ever happen to soccer in Tacoma is near. So why then the hesitant feelings? Why do I look to the next few weeks with a bit of sadness?

...but very soon.

Sounders U-23's are born:

http://goalwa.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/sounders-fc-aligns-with-u-23-pdl-franchise/

So which sounders team would you root for in the open cup Tournament "if" Sounders u-23 end up playing against MLS Sounders?

Bingo.

The logo is via Sounders marketing.

The "e" will be dropped to match USL criteria.

Oops.