Seattle Expansion Thread

[sounderfan]

As I have been mulling over the latest Seattle-MLS love tango, I began to reflect on the history of the sport and its teams here.

In the last 30 years, Seattle has been without any kind of pro soccer club---for only 2 of those years!

1974-1983 NASL Sounders
1983-1992 Tacoma Stars (MISL)
1984-1990 Seattle Storm (WSL)
1994-Current Seattle Sounders (A-League)
1995-97 Seattle SeaDogs (CISL)

Somebody has always come up with the money here, and fans , to varying degrees, have always turned out.

Any other city have that kind of soccer-longevity track record?

[kenntomasch]

The Wichita Wings lasted from 1979 to 2000 or 2001, I believe, which is like 22 years and probably the record for one franchise continuously. The Dallas Sidekicks, if they find new ownership, should surpass that.

Since the Tornado lasted from 1967-81, and the Sidekicks picked up in 1984 (and the Burn in 1996), Dallas has gone without pro soccer only 82-83 out of the last 37 years, which is impressive as well.

[Joe Stoker]

The Wichita Wings lasted from 1979 to 2000 or 2001, I believe, which is like 22 years and probably the record for one franchise continuously. The Dallas Sidekicks, if they find new ownership, should surpass that.

Since the Tornado lasted from 1967-81, and the Sidekicks picked up in 1984 (and the Burn in 1996), Dallas has gone without pro soccer only 82-83 out of the last 37 years, which is impressive as well.

You may recall, kenn, the Dallas Americans appeared in the ASL in 1983, and continued a year or two longer in the USL. That would narrow the gap to a single season. Dallas. Who'da thunk? I thought they were gonners after the first season!

How 'bout longevity for a franchise, despite transfers of location? Off the top of my silver head, I'd guess Baltimore Comets-SD-Las Vegas-SD Sockers (NASL/MISL/and whatever else) or the old Strikers ('63 DC Britania thru Minnesota and on to indoors). And I guess some of the pre-WWII ASL clubs (Kearny, Fall River) had a good run. Sorry, kenn, you pressed my history button ;) .

[sounderfan]

http://www.specmedia.org/pages/Sounders%20at%20Tiki%20Bob's%20June%206th%20021.jpg

Sammy Sounder was caught on film at the end of the 2003 season at a local Tiki Bar.
This kind of gross misconduct would never be expected of a Utah MLS mascot.

Yet another reason to root for...Seattle! :)

http://www.specmedia.org/pages/Sounders%20at%20Tiki%20Bob's%20June%206th%20067.jpg

It's painful, but this mascot "out of control" has more photos here:
http://soundercentral.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=489


Oh, the children...

[bright]

Heh, I remember that thread.

Remember when the Sounders used to have the little kiddie area at Memorial? Ugh. Too much of their marketing effort went towards suburban families. I'd like the Sounders to throw a bone to us adults ... that might be more lucrative and get more soccer fans in the stands. Of course, I am 30, single, and hate ... er, am too irresponsible to raise kids. :) I bet Sammy is of the same ilk, he just pretends to like the kids to get paid. Heh.

Those damn kids! They've tarnished the Sounders name!

- Paul

[sounderfan]

http://www.matchnight.com/?Page=ARTICLE&articleid=363

"The league wants to figure it out as badly as we do" says Hanauer.It's a big deal. It's a multi-million dollar deal and a multi-million dollar decision. It's a huge league decision and it's a huge stadium decision. Time will tell."

[BhoysFC1995]

_________MODERATOR NOTE___________
a few seattle threads have been merged together, please post seattle talk here- not a new thread for each one unless its major news. thanks.

[sounderfan]

_________MODERATOR NOTE___________
a few seattle threads have been merged together, please post seattle talk here- not a new thread for each one unless its major news. thanks.

Seattle Sub Forum!

[joeyinfo]

I have been told by two sources, one inside the League and one outside MLS, that LA and Seattle will be joining MLS in 2005. Reportedly, Don Garber has already begun informing teams. As always, keep in mind this is MLS.

[Norsk Troll]

http://www.specmedia.org/pages/Sounders%20at%20Tiki%20Bob's%20June%206th%20021.jpg


Mmmmmm .... I smell salmon.



Oh, I'm sorry - I thought this was a "Caption This" thread.

[sounderfan]

I have been told by two sources, one inside the League and one outside MLS, that LA and Seattle will be joining MLS in 2005. Reportedly, Don Garber has already begun informing teams. As always, keep in mind this is MLS.

From the "we'll believe it when they kick off" dept.:

We were told the VERY SAME THING in 1997:

http://soundercentral.com/museum/1997%20updates/mlsloganltr.jpg

[Stupid_American]

Hey, I know you guys have a right to be pessimistic but I also want to remind you that Joeyinfo has quite a respectable track record when it comes to breaking news and rumors. He rarely posts on the boards, but when he does it usually turns out to be true. That said, I hope that joey is right not just because I backed up his credibility, but because expansion truly occurs by adding seattle (as opposed to chivas). Plus, I think its a positive step forward in improving our national footprint.

[uclacarlos]

Yeah, Joey Info is legit. Check out the history of his posts.

Hey Joey, you da man.

[soupcan]

wow, that is good news.

Now, on to the really important questions...

will the name change?
will First and Goal lay down the grass as they claimed they would?
(they did claim to do this if "required" by MLS, could this happen?)
Will the Portland fans hate Seattle even more after the move to MLS when they cant even find an owner for the A-League Timbers? (if the members of the Shed spent half their beer money on the team they could more than likely buy the Timbers themselves)

[BLG]

I think my summer has just been made. :) :)

Keep the Sounders name. It has it all: history, regional and national identification and an actually cool name that ends in a plural.

Play on grass, not plastic. That's why I voted for it. The Seahawks will only have November and December where it might get nasty, but I think modern groundskeepers can handle it. Other NFL stadiums can handle it.

Will Portland fans hate Seattle even more? Just watch what happens when the Sounders play the Timbers at Portland in a US Open Cup match.

Thanks Joeyinfo. You are my new hero!

Next step is a SEATTLE SUB-FORUM!!!

[sounderfan]

History tells us...things are still...

http://www.des.indianchief.com/images/rt/rt_uncertain.jpg

Until a press conference is called...

[Mike T]

Hey Joey would MLS reencarnate our Fusion if it a similar SSS/Football (similar to Seatlle) stadium is built in Miami proper, as it was always ment to bo be.

Heck, even the NBA, recognized the distastrous influence a bad owner can have on a good community. If the NBA can remove the Hornets from Charlotte and reenstate at team in the same community in a matter of years , provided the infrastructure and fan base. Then MLS can and should return our Fusion , should city officials show interest by generating the $$ and making such a stadium specifically for soccer (a football field fits in any regulation soccer stadium).

[sounderfan]

Seattle-MLS links page here:

http://www.geocities.com/sounderfan/mls2005.html

[sounderfan]

More from the "Logan Legacy," circa 1997:

http://www.soccertimes.com/mls/1997/may29a.htm

[Bonji]

Here's to JoeyInfo being correct in his assertion that Garber is telling teams Seattle is a done deal. I'm all for a strong A-League franchise getting the "promotion" over a city like SLC all of a sudden getting a team. I think the history of the Sounders and the current fan base will help MLS have fewer expansion growing pains. I'd like to see A-League promotion as the future choice for MLS expansion, and Seattle has a chance to prove it is the best route. Here's to Seattle in 2005 and Rochester in 2006.