Seattle Sounders Schedule Announcement "Concerning MLS"

My highly uneducated guess is that they're going to announce the date of the exhibition with San Jose.

 

But wouldn't this be the first time an MLS team has played in Seahawk Stadium? They might be trying to play that angle up.

 

As someone just posted moments ago on the Sounders' e-mail list, the club has a media day every year before the start of the season.

I'd bet anyone a dozen Krispy Kremes from the new store opening up on Aurora in June that it's going to be an announcement for an exhibition with an MLS team.

 

Didn't I read somewhere a few weeks back that in exhange for Brian Ching going to San Jose the Quakes agreed to play a game in Seattle?

 

Yes, you did. And that's the thing: it's not like the friendly is secret. If the announcement is going to be about the friendly, why not come out and say so? By not going into a little more detail, they're leaving open a lot of room for speculation, and are running the risk of setting up their fan base for a big disappointment should the fans get their hopes up for something bigger than the announcement is. Pissing off your customer base is never a smart decision, and this Sounders under Hanauer haven't been known to make stupid decisions like this.

I'll take you up on your bet, Tim. In fact, if I'm wrong and the announcement's about an exhibition game, after I finish cursing the Sounders front office for pulling such a stupid stunt, I'll buy the Krispy Kremes.

Why? I mean, I'm sure that'll get mentioned in the promotions, but I doubt they'd focus on that as the main selling point. It's hard to care about a first time when there's a good chance that it might be the only time. So a team from a league we're not in plays a game in our stadium.

If anything, the main selling point(s) will be: a) World Cup star Landon Donovan coming to Seattle, and/or b) former Sounders on SJ's roster (Russell, Waibel, Ching) returning to Seattle.

 

I'm not saying it's a good strategy, just that it might be one.

Throwing out a wild hypothesis here, 3,000 or so miles away - possibility they are announcing a partnership that will pursue an MLS team?

 

That's probably it, although I'd dare say my money's on the SJ/Donovan hype. It probably took this long because of negotiations with SJ on the match date AND making sure Donovan plays some.

 

Will Sammy Sounder stone Donovan twice in goal like he did during halftime of last year's US Open Cup match? That's what I want to know.

 

And now we find the REAL reason for the delay...San Jose couldn't commit to a date cause Landon's intimidated by Sammy Sounder! Mwahahahahaha!

Ok, maybe not...

 

Has anyone heard anything about the MLS announcement?

 

http://www.seattlesounders.net/news/?cat=1&id=29

Seattle's in grudge mode. That is all.

 

The "announcement about Major League Soccer" was, as most guessed, just setting the date for the Sounders - 'Quakes friendly: Wed May 28, 7 pm, Stade Seahawks, Seattle. GM Hanauer did put a twist on it, though. He announced that the match will be a guaranteed win night for the Sounders! If the Sounders don't win, tickets will be good for admission to the next match, a league match against the Whitecaps.

San Jose announcement for the match:
www.sjearthquakes.com/press_box/041803release.htm

Of greater interest was an update on who is signed and who is in camp trying for a spot with three preseason matches to go. For details, see the Pitch:
http://seattlepitch.tripod.com

 

I would think Seattle will have a good chance. Most likely, the Quakes will rest any tired starters, and Landon's playing against Wales at Spartan two nights before (perhaps Mulrooney, too, who knows?). Just like last year, enjoy halftime if you're going to Seahawk Stadium to see Landon.

One thing that wasn't brought up: this friendly is a good tuneup for an A-League side that will have to play MLS sides in the USOC. I'm guessing that's how Sounders management will present it to the players.

 

I suppose the club made a big deal about the exhibition in hopes of getting all the youth soccer teams to turn out for it, and boost attendance. Rather than treat this game as a grudge match, I hope the Sounders save some energy for the Vancouver game that follows. That's the important one. If we host an MLS team in the Open Cup again, that'll be something to get excited about, not a ridiculous exhibition.

Also, regarding who has been seen at practices (Somoza), it's too bad the club can't have some type of arrangement in which more Sounders Select alumni return to the club rather than other A-League teams (ie, Ritchie (I know he's f/OR), Downing, etc.) following MLS trials. I realize stuff like finances and roster spots get in the way, but all things being equal, it would be nice to see. By the way, anybody know where Tallman and Pardini went?

 

If there is ever an indication about how meaningless A-League/MLS exhibition games are, it is the fact that the Timbers have beaten the teams that went on to win the MLS Cup - San Jose and LA - the past two seasons. Still fun to see, but little to take away from the resutls.

 

At least last year's match had something at stake (US Open Cup). This year it's probably nothing more than a kickabout for the Quakes. One saving grace is they can't just call a bunch of A-Leaguers up this year

 

For some reason, this gives me a mental image of a The Onion-like headline reading "San Jose calls up the Sounders for exhibition match against the Sounders"...

 

Ya, I always thought the perfect kit for the Sounders would have them wearing plaid flannel jerseys and white long underwear under their shorts. Oh ya!

 

Grunge is SO over....

 

It'd be an improvement over the current Seahawks outfits.

 

Seattle for MLS expansion

Personally, I would not mind at all to see Seattle in MLS one day. I was in Seattle in March for the friendly vs. Venezuela. Seahawks Stadium is an excellent facility and it felt like I was in the suites when I went into the concession stands. I fancy Seattle to be a wonderful soccer town that would no doubt support an MLS franchise should one come their way. The Sounders-Quakes match as well as the Man U.-Celtic match should prove that.