2008

Discussion in 'Seattle Sounders FC' started by sounderfan, Sep 12, 2007.

  1. sounderfan

    sounderfan New Member

    Apr 6, 2003
    2008.

    Let's talk about *next year* here from two angles:

    1. Can Seattle MLS be ready by then? Yes, they can. But would MLS want to go from 13 to 15?
    I ask this because some of the stuff already going on behind the scenes seems a bit premature for a club planning to open in 2009.

    2. What of the USL-1 Seattle Sounders in 2008?
    Let's say MLS Seattle did happen for 2009. What should the USL-1 club do next season? Play on? Get out of the way and stop taking up Hanauer's time while he and Roth prep for the new club?
     
  2. sounderfan

    sounderfan New Member

    Apr 6, 2003
    I'll add this to the rumor mill...


    When Wolff / SJ met with the big-wigs back in June, is it possible that Seattle were 'conditionally' awarded a 2008 franchise then, too? That it just has yet to be announced due to various behind the scenes factors?

    Why else would there already be work on a Seattle MLS season schedule and season ticket deposit database by a big ticket company? (over 16 months in advance)?

    Why else would the rumors coming from Qwest be so sudden and so specific? How long would it take to make Qwest "MLS ready?" Not 16 months.

    Why else would current Sounders employees be talking to sponsors in a way that leaves those sponsors feeling like 2008 is the MLS Seattle starting date?

    Why else would the USL-1 Sounders be quietly entering the playoffs with no advertising and no 2008 season ticket drive? (OK, that one we might hazard a guess at. The club is cheap, and usually season ticket sales happen in early October after the season is over).
     
  3. bright

    bright Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Central District
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If MLS in 2009 is a done deal, then why not keep playing in the USL in 2008 and start building up our player pool and front office? That would make us a really strong expansion team for 2009, as opposed to the expansion teams that materialize out of thin air for their first season.

    Once 2009 rolls around, we'd have to convert the player contracts over to MLS league contracts. We also might have to reacquire some of our players through the "Discovery Player" system or whatever other hoops MLS has for player acquisition. But that shouldn't preclude the Sounders from building their MLS team in 2008, and then trying to hold onto as much of it for 2009 while also adding additional players through the MLS Expansion Draft.

    - Paul
     
  4. sounderfan

    sounderfan New Member

    Apr 6, 2003
    So the 2008 Sounders would 'run themselves' while Hanauer and Roth focused on 2009?

    Somehow I just am not sure that the money, distraction and time are worth it.

    Not only that, but the "Sounders" are owned by multiple people...and if Hanauer says he's going to concentrate on MLS in 2008 and leave that partnership, then I don't see those guys continuing on without him. Not at Qwest Field anyway.
     
  5. Needle

    Needle Red Card

    Sep 13, 2007
    Seattle is a no brainer. Don't fret people. You will have your franchise. ;)
     
  6. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That would be a cool new precendent. Basically just promote Seattle from the USL1 level to MLS. Meaning that they could start hiring more upper level MLS players as opposed to various MLS "castoffs" (O'Brien comes to mind, terrible time at Crew/RSL but a star for Sounders).

    Best thing is that you wouldn't have to worry about struggling to find quality in the reportedly small US player pool via the MLS Expansion Draft.

    Thats awesome.
     
  7. thanatos80

    thanatos80 New Member

    Aug 12, 2005
    Burien, WA
    I think both scenarios are a good possibility. I'll add this; a member of the Sounders FO asked me, at the last home match, "are you going to buy MLS season tickets?" At the end of last season, he asked me if I was going to renew my "Sounders" season tickets during the earlybird special.
    Take what you want from that, I have a few ideas myself, but until someting is announced, it would just be unfounded speculation.
     
  8. sounderfan

    sounderfan New Member

    Apr 6, 2003
    What's your point? :p
     
  9. thanatos80

    thanatos80 New Member

    Aug 12, 2005
    Burien, WA
    That everytime I post insider info on this site, I get ripped for spreading rumors, or not knowing what I'm talking about, simply because I refuse to divulge my sources, including by the mods. Funny, they don't seem to use the same standard with aa. :rolleyes:
    Besides my source, that you also know, I have a couple others who would rather not have their names be divulged, on, or off, the net.
     
  10. SounderMan

    SounderMan Member

    Nov 8, 2006
    Lacey WA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That's because the rest of the country thinks we just sit around drinking coffee all day until we have delusional soccer premonitions come to us........:D
     
  11. Fleetwood Mac #1

    Fleetwood Mac #1 New Member

    Mar 28, 2002
    Queens, NY
    If Seattle comes in 2008, I can see MLS going back to 3 divisions.

    Eastern

    1. TFC
    2. NE
    3. NY
    4. DC
    5. CLB

    Central

    1. CHI
    2. KC
    3. HOU
    4. DAL
    5. COL

    Western

    1. RSL
    2. CHV
    3. LA
    4. SJ
    5. SEA

    Each team plays non-division opponents twice (20 games) and division opponents three times (12 games) for a total of 32 games.
     
  12. bright

    bright Member

    Dec 28, 2000
    Central District
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It all happens in this order for the "typical" ;) Seattleite:
    1. morning yoga
    2. morning coffee brewed at home or from a neighborhood cafe
    3. ride bike to work
    4. another coffee at lunch
    5. ride bike home
    6. bust out the home-brewed beer and the homegrown
    7. delusional soccer premonitions
    8. play keep away with the entire ManU team, er, the dog :)

    - Paul
     
  13. SounderMan

    SounderMan Member

    Nov 8, 2006
    Lacey WA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  14. Schwalker

    Schwalker New Member

    Apr 15, 2007
    Gelsenkirchen/Finja
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Hmm, sounds unlikely that everyone involved is keeping so quiet about it..Especially as Seattle have/had three suitors?

    About eight month I guess...Looking at the timetable of TFC and San Jose that is.

    They might prepare the ground for an MLS team or it´s just a matter of semantics...I mean, did MLS come back to San Jose this year or 2008?
    Having not seen any salespitch from said employees It´s hard to guess.


    All in all I say it´s rather unlikely that Seattle enters 2008, especially since this Roth/Hanauer partnership ain´t set in concrete yet, or is it?
     
  15. thanatos80

    thanatos80 New Member

    Aug 12, 2005
    Burien, WA
    Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't, but I'm not saying which.
     
  16. Earthshaker

    Earthshaker BigSoccer Supporter

    Sep 12, 2005
    The hills above town
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Oh no, stop, you sound like John, from the ill-fated HBO show, "John From Cinncinati".:)

    "There are things I know, and things I don't."
     
  17. sounderfan

    sounderfan New Member

    Apr 6, 2003
    He's a notorious blabber.

    In other words: he doesn't know.

    ;)
     
  18. KnucklesBuchanan

    Jul 12, 2007
    Section 149
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    What, precisely, does "MLS ready" mean?
     
  19. SeattleSupporter

    Aug 17, 2004
    North Sound Ultra
    We've been hearing that for over 10 years now....
     
  20. gregro

    gregro New Member

    Sep 1, 2007
    The Emerald City
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    How about "I don't know Butchy instead" ;)
     

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