Seattle Sounders Semifinal Game 1 in Seattle

The Best of This Week's Commentary

ESPN Soccernet

Start with the classic ESPN Soccernet format: who's who and why they're going to win and then why they're not. Which is kind of a pansy way to go about your predictions. Everyone wins and no one wins. But it will catch you up on the must know of the MLS playoff contenders:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=689854&sec=mls&root=mls&cc=5901

(LA is favored. The Sounders are the golden boys. Chivas will fold under post season pressure as history illustrates. Etc. Etc.)

Goal.com

A certain Mr. McCarthy over at Goal.com who likes to muse takes a more manly stance with his actual rankings of the playoff hopefuls. He places the Sounders at #2, right after LA (the Yankess of MLS - blech.). And he asks, astutely, "will the pressure of reaching a final on home turf make the task too difficult?"

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2009/10/28/1588779/mls-playoffs-mccarthys-musings-ranking-the-mls-cup

Then Allen Ramsey, also of Goal.com (fast becoming one of my favorite intelligent soccer websites, after Prost Amerika http://www.prostamerika.com/soundersfc/), really touches Soundersboard existential heart with the following "one's to watch" shortlist of unsung potential heros.

Heros. Intensity. Drama. America. Ramsay's speaking my language (well, up 'till the America part, but thanks to MLS in Seattle, I'm beginning to feel better about that too - and also that 4 part series on NPR "Europe and Us" that was on the other week... solar power, bicycles, high speed trains, a package of steaks that comes with a bovine bio...)

Seattle's rising star? None other than Stevie "Jets" Zakuani:

http://goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2009/10/28/1590487/mls-playoffs-the-short-list-making-a-name

It's gonna be a great (rainy) night tomorrow night.

Looking Back on Saturday Night

You don’t need to come here to find out that Houston beat Chivas 3-2 today, which means that Seattle will host Houston at home in the first round of the playoffs. You can go to http://www.prostamerika.com/soundersfc/2009/10/25/houston-lead-chivas-2-0/ to find that out.

You came here to be reminded how much fun it was to see the Sounders win in their final regular season game last night.

How the fans were out in full force in their green and blue on a beautifully cool October night, a night for keeping warm with whiskey, with their number nines and smiles.

And how good it felt to come from behind and score two goals after waiting for oh so long...

Ahh... what a night.

Black and White, and Orange

Was there something a little incongruous about seeing Freddie walking through Home Depot up on North Aurora in the recent video on the Sounders FC homepage? (It's so worth watching - sorry, unembeddable - just be sure to tune out when Matt Gasch starts talking to some kids waiting in the dull line.) Walking down those orange warehouse rows in a svelte white shirt rolled up to the elbows and a very finely fitted black vest? Kasey Keller was a little more incognito in his baseball hat and neutral tones. But Freddie stood out in his black and white style in the place where just last weekend I schelpped in with muddy jeans holes in the knees and dirty fingernails.

Yes, there was, and it was great actually. A perfect juxtaposition. The working man’s world in black and white class. And I love me a working man. But I also love me some class. You can have it all.

Don’t forget folks, it’s good to dress up for an occasion! Make it an occasion!

Freddie’s raising the game in so many ways. The more we see of him the better. He looks great. He talks great. He’s complimentary. He’s humble. He has incredible style. He’s a new kind of very embraceable standard for Seattle, for the U.S. Work hard. Look good. Be kind.

Keep'n the Dream Alive

For those interested in seeing a FA Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield, La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, and World Cup champion in a MLS uniform, hold on to that precarious feather in your hat.

Sky Sports is perpetuating the Thierry Henry to MLS rumor yet again. We all know Thierry’s fondness for American sports and the US in general but it seems that his time with FC Barcelona is nearing its end. As Barca has its hooks in Manchester City’s Brazilian international Robinho and attempting to reel him in by offering a heavyweight of their own, Henry, Manchester City head man Mark Hughes had this to say:

“And regarding a swap deal (with Thierry Henry) - no, it's not going to happen either. I've got the impression that Henry is leaving Barcelona at the end of the season.”

“There were meetings last month between his representatives and New York Red Bulls and I've got the impression that after the World Cup he is going to go to the MLS.”

There you go. Most of us thought it might happen by 2011, but with the recent success of our very own Designated Player Freddie Ljungberg, rumors that the MLS is considering throwing a few more beans on the salary cap pile while adding another DP not to count against the cap, and a new stadium in New York, maybe we’ll see Thierry next season.

Needless to say, we’d rather see him team up with his former Arsenal setup man here in Seattle, but either way it’s good news for the MLS... if in fact it is news.

Sky Sports report: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11828_5638642,00.html

Roger Levesque Is So Nickname-able

First it’s Steve Kelly of the Seattle Times christening him “Ever Ready Roger” in this nice (as we come to expect fromt he Seattle Times) article. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2010102162_kelley21.html

Then Don Ruiz of the News Tribune pipes in with “Super Sub.” Ugh.

Soundersboard stands by Roger “Money” Levesque for formal usage, as in, “And starting for the Sounders, Rogerrrr... Moneyyy... LeVESQUE!”

While Don Ruiz’s Super Sub nickname falls utterly flat (I think I got one of those from Quizno’s last week), I commend him for the philosophical quotes in his article. http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/story/923609.html

First, Sigi, about his decision to sub Montero in Saturday’s match at Kansas City: “My mother always told me that your first reaction is usually your true reaction, and everything else is a rationalization.”

Pause and reflect.

Then Ruiz ends with a nice little aphorism from Ever Ready Roger, “They say luck is where opportunity meets preparation.”

One more nickname possibility – The Philosopher. He’s our own Emerson: “Patience and patience we shall win at the last!”

Freddie Keeps Talkin'; Dee Feels Full of Love

Did anyone watch the CONCACAF Champions League match tonight between Houston Dynamo and Isidro Metapan? Something about that lonely field down in El Salvador made that game so intimate. It was almost hot for a few minutes there. You could hear every yell on the sideline and from what looked to be no more than 500 fans, maybe.

“C’mon! Punt it!”

“Hey... hey, hey, hey hey!”

An Isidro Metapan player goes down in the 70 somethingth minute, barely, and the full five-person staff of the local medical clinic comes running out on the pitch with their stretchers and spray stuff. The player does his best drama act as he gets on the stretcher and then you’re back to the sounds of grunting and pushing and rushing.

Houston ‘keeper Hall comes out looking wide and strong and scares off a one on one attack. He taps his adversary on the ass friendly and relieved. A Houston player muscles out the opposing man holding the ball under his foot in his own corner in the 80 somethingth minute. The field is only moderately well lit, which gives it a gritty backseat appeal. Maybe the natural light is even better for the players, but it wasn't made for televised coverage. You could almost see the stars for chrissakes!

Ugh. And there was Craig Waibel again. I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth about that guy, mostly because of his chorus line of chubby groupies in their stupid orange shirts at the Houston game this summer. The same game that Captain Sherbet, the gangly teenage kid with glasses, an orange cape and sherbet colored face paint was a mere few seats to my left, within sweating distance. I liked him though. That took balls for some acne kid to show up with his orange flag and his solo chants, “We got Onstad!” in the heart of Sounders season ticket holder country.

They lost. Houston. 3-2. I was rooting for them. I was, of course! I’m rooting for the MLS baby! Plus Isidro’s jerseys were way too busy. I never root for bad style.

But then, oh God, then. Talk about style. The AC Milan v. Real Madrid highlights. A thing of beauty. I love the way what’s his name, Max Bretos, says “naughty.” Kaka against his old teammates at AC Milan (we got his jersey on clearance after the trade). Goal after goal. So smooth. AC Milan upsets.

And on and on. The UEFA Champions League highlights. I could keep going, really. And I did, with another beer, and then I moseyed on over to Freddie’s site (we’re on first name basis until I can come up with a nickname), and read about how he says every MLS team needs 2 or 3 International players. http://freddie.speaksup.com/2009/10/21/mls-would-need-players-like/

Yes. Yes! Keep talking, Freddie. He’s rooting for the MLS too. Thierry Henry to New York Red Bulls? www.mls-rumors.net says so among others. New York needs the help, no doubt. I’m even rooting for them. This is how I know the MLS has not come of age yet. The only team I despise is the LA Galaxy.

Portland? Vancouver? I’m gearing up to loathe them.

Soundersboard is back!

Soundersboard is back! I can hardly believe it myself. And right at the end of the regular season, just in time for the playoffs! Well-timed just like the season ticket renewal deadline, you sly bastards.

The truth is I’ve been feeling guilty and now I’m inspired. Here I go and neglect Soundersboard while I’m off having fun all summer, and then Freddie comes out and publishes his own blog! http://freddie.speaksup.com/.


He's brief and to the point. Fantastic! We all deserve a little light blog fun, don't you know?

So you now have the company of Soundersboard for the playoffs all the way through the MLS cup! And I've decided to take it upon myself to entertain us (me and Becksta that is) throughout the long MLS-less winter.

I’ll just start promoting my book when we all get terribly bored. And when all else fails, (semi) naked pictures.

Meanwhile, I have been thinking about soccer, paying attention to the Sounders, watching games (on TV for what seems like forever), and thinking up apropos new nicknames for the guys on the pitch:

Stevie “Jets” Zakuani
Nate “No Moves” Jaqua
Roger “Money” Levesque

I stand by Sebastian “Le Hawk” but I still don’t know Freddie and Kasey well enough. Plus they both deserve the respect of a well-thought out sobriquet. As for Fredy, well, the jury’s out on him yet. But not the rest of y'all. Onward!

Soccer Player to Cut Hair

So I just got three cases of wine in the mail, I found a website that describes itself as “spilling red wine on soccer’s social fabric since 2007” (The Offside Rules), and I learned that Marcelo Balboa is cutting his luxuriant locks for charity (see mls.net article here).

Marcelo Balboa: Hall of Famer, TV analyst (recall from Beijing anyone?), long hair wearer, newsreel favorite. Media (especially low-brow blogs) can’t resist the bicycle kick:




Judging by the number of hair restoration commercials on Fox Soccer Channel, this is a big deal. That hair is a chick-magnet. Judging from the content of this post, those cases of wine are really good. This should last two weeks.

Apparently, Balboa hasn’t cut his hair since 1994. Back when dudes had bangs. Oh, and also, The Offside Rules reports that Fijian Soccer Players Beleive That Weed Will Improve Their Game.

That is all.

FC Barcelona Tickets Presale Info

While the presale started yesterday morning at 9am, you'll still be ahead of the public sales that begin Monday, June 15th at 10am.

Buy your tickets here right now with the presale code: 3BARCA

Get Your Girls Out!

This is my little version of Girls Gone Wild, right on here on your very own Soundersboard. If you've got body parts you would like to show the world (or a very small portion of it) on our blog, send some pics on over!

I Scored with Freddie- Psyche!

The Sounders are getting ready to play four out of the next five games at home, and I'm thinking that it is time for five out of five wins. I'm also thinking that the time is high for instituting Dawn's Referee Rating Systems after each game because I am tired of seeing WAY too much red at the games. I know that they make jack-all, but come on, so do a lot of people in this economy and people all across the board are being rated on their performances- players included.

To get myself ready for the home game stretch, I economized and instead of a jersey, got an I scored with Freddie t-shirt. I want you to know that this is only meant to support him as a player and does not mean that I intend to score with him, just that I want to be watching when he scores....oops, that didn't sound much better, did it?

I'm planning on being there at halftime and post and pre-game to interview festive and interesting fans, so please be ready with your commentary.

Drew Carey, my very favorite owner of the Sounders

Don't worry Stevie (as in Zakuani, not Wonder), I am in no, way, shape, or form shifting my allegiance to Drew Carey over you. I mean come on, as the LA Times said, Drew is a little schlumpy and Drew is not exactly my type of guy (although I do dig the hot glasses). However, the man sings, was in a marching band in high school, shot pics professionally (how i love the sound of that word) and gave us, the Seattle Sounders fans, the right to fire the GM. Fan-fuckingtastic for sure. Plus, he shouts out, ""Chackalackalacka!" during games, perhaps in a flashback to a previous life before he was part owner of MLS soccer's most-hated franchise.

So this is how I am tallying things up, just in case you were wondering and even if you are not.

Steve Zakuani is my true love and not necessarily my favorite player. It's only June, so I've yet to sort that out.

The Gorilla is absolutely the hottest fan because who wouldn't be in that costume? Seriously.

And last but certainly not least, Drew Carey is my fave owner of the team. Not because he is famous, but because he insisted that all the season ticket holders should have scarves. This does not mean, however, that I am at all interested in scoring with Drew. Again, just in case you were curious.......

Please Bring Your Sweet Segway to the Next Home Game!

Spend a little time with this photo. Observe the Ferrari branded Segway extended-cab of your dreams. Fresh rims in the back! An automated, reclined ride for two. The dude looked all secret service with a Bluetooth headset too.

The custom Segway
rollin’ fans up vendor row to the Mariner’s game.

And seriously, look how happy they are to be riding in it!

That is probably because he was also BLASTING “We Will Rock You” out of the many speakers. You could hear it twenty yards away plain as day.

Whether his outstretched two fingers are flashing the peace sign or indicating two people for two bucks, I am hopeful that he will come down for the next Sounder FC home game.

Seattle Sounders FC Fans- Original Slideshow

I want to thank everybody who let me take their pictures and hope you get to see your faces on the blog. OK, admittedly, I may have gotten a little carried away with the special effects, but you can't blame a girl for trying, can you? As it stands, I am pretty fricking impressed with the quality of the fans at the Sounders games-everyone is still standing, still friendly, and cheering like mad when the ball comes anywhere near the goal.

As for my thoughts on the game, they are somewhat muddled from perhaps one too many PBR's beforehand, but I am thinking that there are WAY too many ties in the MLS. It's really hard to know how to feel after a game that ends in a tie. I mean, I guess, I'm happy when we tie instead of lose, but it lacks a certain kind of resolution that you get from other sports. (I was reminded earlier that I should be happy I'm not watching 5-day cricket games that end up in ties, but I don't really think my liver could take that kind of sport-watching.)I also think the refs need to lay off the red-cards. It's a little much to take.

Le Toux Gives Up Red Shoe

I’m not so bold as my blogging colleague to offer up my “favorite” player, but observant eyes will notice that “Le Hawk” is rising to the top of my attentions. He’s the only player whom I’ve christened with a nickname after all. And there is a lot to like about him: the fact that he was the first player signed to the MLS Sounders, his thick French accent, that he runs like hell and misses French bakeries.

That was all good enough, but after seeing Le Hawk take off his red boot and offer it up to a kid in the stands after last Saturday’s match, I’m now officially gushing.



Should you momentarily guffaw at the idea of him missing French bakeries (which you can reference here), you might be won over by the following information about Le Hawk’s international aspirations. Speaking about playing for the French National Team, he said:

"I would like to play for the U.S.," said Le Toux, who remains a French citizen. "I would want to play for the country that gave me a chance, and I really love it here. It would be an honor if I received the opportunity to play for them."

Class, baby. That’s class.

Seattle Sounders FC Tail Gate Party Original Video

Check back later this week to see fan photos and hope you're enjoying the Seattle sun!

Sounders FC vs. Crew Pre-Match Entertainment

Samba y Sabor (which describes itself as the “premier series of pre-game parties for the Seattle Sounders FC” and also features the lovely ladies shimmying and shaking in feather headdresses and pasties during the pregame marches) is featuring Fernando Pitt, the Brazilian Freestyle Soccer player, at the Starbar (309 1st Avenue S) at 5pm.

Check out his impressive moves below and feel free to bring the kids – it’s an all ages events. (Hey Becksta – check out the short shorts and no shirt on the beach! Nice!)






And if you are traveling without young’ens and love beer, specifically the pride of the Northwest – IPAs, then stop by the Bookstore Bar at the Alexis Hotel on 1st and Madison. It won’t be rollicking with raucous fans, but they have some Sounders specials, the waiter is very nice, and they have the Ninkasi Total Domination IPA ON TAP. Yum! And an appropriate beer for what we expect from the Sounders tomorrow night… Total Domination.

Steve Zakuani

I know you have all been waiting to see which Sounder I would fall in love with....it was a tough choice at first with so many fine specimens around. First, my true love was Fredy Montero- the very first goal of the team. Fan-fuckingtastic. But, truth be told, he's a little young for me and I worry that the language barrier would get in the way. We all saw how great it went when he had a translator the first time (think false sexual allegations-OUCH) and I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize the team.

I won't lie, Ljungberg was also testing me- but seriously, could I really compete with a Swedish girl? Not in this in lifetime, I'm afraid. And, then, I really, really noticed Steve Zakuani. The name, at first, was the main attraction because it sounds so melodious off of my tongue, but then I started to appreciate how fricking fast he is on the field. And, come on, let's be honest, his passes are beautiful. And, while I will more than likely never score with my new true love, I am happy to watch him score any time.

American Idol Bikini Girl and the Seattle Sounders

OK, I know that I've said it before, Dawn's said it before, and Eli Sanders of the Stranger Slog perhaps said it the best, but MLS players, especially the Sounders, need to wear some shorter shorts. Seriously. Last night, I accidentally on purpose watched the American Idol finale (please don't tell Dawn-it will ruin my reputation as a learned person of the world) and there were contestants- 2 in fact, performing in bikinis. One had a bikini and the other flashed by opening up her dress. If this is permissible, for the love of God, why do our boys (men) have to be covered up like teen-aged skaters?

On Vacation...

Be back soon!

FC Dallas and The Rainbow Connection

Should you tire of my style of in-depth soccer analysis, may I recommend, officially now, Prost Amerika’s Sounders FC blog. Start here for their FC Dallas Match Preview where you can learn that FC Dallas is known as “Hoops” to the fans and media. Then when you wonder what the Kermit reference is in the article subtitle, flip back over here for the connection.

It refers to no less than one of the best names I have encountered since I was enthralled with all fourteen letters of “Saltalamacchia” squeezed across the shoulders of an MLB jersey. That would be one of this weekend’s referees, Kermit Quisenberry.

Why aren’t more mothers naming their boys Kermit these days? Look what futures they might have: professional soccer referee or singing partner to Debbie Harry:



There’s more, thankfully, on this weekend’s match at MLS.net and really anywhere else but here. Finally for you gay men who visited with the search-word promise of “Rainbow Connection,” well, this won’t let you down, will it?

Big Dogs Love the Sounders

What one does after an afternoon game...

Hours, um, minutes, er, seconds (?) of fun!

Tickets! Get Your Tickets!

Barcelona, Baby! Is anyone getting tired of that yet? Oh, good. Cause I'm not!

Ticket info for the Sounders - Barcelona is in: Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, June 15th at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at www.SoundersFC.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

But... I bet if you register at SoundersFC.com you may get a handy dandy presale notification email. Since I didn’t buy my season tickets in my name and registered at that link and still got the Chelsea presale info, I’m thinking that is true.

Speaking of ticket sales, 60,000 tickets have been sold for the Sounders – Chelsea game on July 18. With only 7,000 left that makes a total of 67,000 seats. (me=smart) That’s max capacity at Qwest Field. I can hear the roar of the crowd now...

And if you’re dying for just a little more ticket trivia tonight, please note that the Sounders FC home supporters will be increasing by 4000. The remaining seats in the lower bowl above the south end will be sold for games June 28 and thereafter.

Go Sounders!

Galaxy Recap: Sober Version

Round 2 of the Galaxy match lookback. I wish that I wasn’t going to talk about the referees, but I must. This article on MLS.net demonstrated that I was far from alone in waking up thinking not only whether sushi at 9pm was a good idea but also what the hell the referees were thinking.


Conversation post-game over beers:
Unnamed Blogger: “I’m going to start a referee review with ratings and rants!” (bonus points for consanancy)

Best Friend: “No, don’t do it. Those guys don’t get paid enough to be called out.”

“But they deserve to be held accountable!”

Other friend: “Yeah, think about it. In such a low-scoring game, the referees exercise huge control over the outcome of the game. One call or lack of call can have a huge impact when you only score one or two goals during the entire match. It’s not like basketball or even American football. Each call matters.”

“Besidess, they’re not minor league umpires, for god’s sake, laboring about the country on a paltry per diem and working at Home Depot in the off-season. If they suck, they should lose their gig, just like anyone.”

“Some of those players are only making $30K – if that. Waitress!”

Right. That’s where I stand today, sober even. The referees deserve to be called out like anyone else on the pitch. I will therefore proclaim Tim Wyland, Sunday’s referee, to officially suck.

Sigi and I are not alone in our criticism. John Carver, Toronoto FC’s former coach, complained about Tim Weyland's abysmal performance not long before he resigned from the MLS. Hmmm...

Galaxy Post-Game

"Disappointed in the Refereeing”

Said Sigi. Said many thousands of fans. But my throat is hoarse, and I can say it no more. (Sorry to the preteens sitting in the row in front of me). Besides this picture speaks louder than my words.

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Fans

Oh to not be layered! Noon felt a little early. But the afternoon sun was a treat, and the 28,000+ fans were amazing as usual.

About Passion and Control

The Sounders had passion. The referee had no control. One fed the other until the yellow shirt started flashing cards like my mother playing poker. I was proud to see the Sounders keeping each others backs like a team should. I was especially warm and fuzzy to see Freddie Ljungberg waving his finger in the face of the referees and getting right into the mix during the James Riley situation. Passion and physicality... I’ve said it before. It’s what I like to see out there.

Man of the Match?

The man of the match is the opposing goalkeeper?! The one who kicked the ball out of play in the 88th minute and flopped on to the ground the burn the clock? Weak. Totally weak.

The Shirts Come Off

Thank you! Are you guys reading this? Or are we just putting out the right vibe? Either way, keep those shirts coming off. As it should be!

Sounders - Galaxy Highlights

Even if you don't understand Spanish, these highlights are worth watching for the exuberant exclamation of "Goooaaallll!" Two times over, unfortunately.

Maximum Capacity at Qwest Field?

If any of you are wondering whether the upper level at Qwest will be opened for the Chelsea and Barcelona friendlies against Sounders FC this summer, MLS.net holds the likely answer: yes.

Back in 2006, the first year Barcelona FC came to play a US tour (they came back in 2007 and 2008 too), they had the highest average attendance for any club tour in U.S. history: 80,734 fans on average in three matches.

That included three sold-out crowds: at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (vs. CD Guadalajara, 1-1 on Aug. 6 in front of 92,650), at Houston's Reliant Stadium (vs. Club America, 3-3 on Aug. 9, with a crowd of 70,550), and at Giants Stadium in E. Rutherford, NJ (vs. NY Red Bulls, 4-1 on Aug. 12, in front of 79,002).

Let's max out Qwest Field at 72K and bring the crowd that these matches deserve.

Barcelona FC for Friendly "B" on August 5

It’s official: "B" is for Barcelona!

Barcelona FC is coming to Qwest Field on Wednesday, August 5! That is Un-Be-Liev-Able.

Check out SoundersFC.com if you don’t believe me or you want to see what Sounders fans are saying about the news.

Tickets will go on sale in a few weeks: find complete info here. Now go run and jump for joy…

Rumors... Aggregated

More Seats at Qwest?
MLS-Rumors.net is “for the time in between games.” Since we are not baseball, there is a lot of that. And with a Sunday match this week, there’s a whole extra day to fill! Egads! Fortunately there are plenty of rumors and general complaints in the Soundersphere to occupy our time.

So the Soundwave Band is confirmed to move from the South End to the North End, and 50 more 13-game ticket packages were offered for sale and snapped up faster than Dani Alves fakes his first dive. But MLS-rumors.net reports that Sounders FC have been interviewing for additional concession and security jobs at Qwest Field. Are there even more seats on the way? Stay tuned...

Season Ticket “B” for Barcelona FC?
GoSounders.com reports my favorite rumor of the day. Will those bland looking tickets labeled Seattle Sounders versus team "B" and "C" become tickets of gold? If they turn out to be tickets for a Sounders FC-Barcelona FC friendly, then yes!!!

Sunday Kickoff at Noon
Not a rumor - Just a reminder friends! Get up and get your game on, after you tell Mom you love her, of course. It’s a whole new take on “soccer mom.” In this case, probably mom first, soccer second.

The Secret behind Fredy’s Slump

There’s been a lot of speculation this week about what it’s going to take to get Fredy Montero back on track. It’s made me wonder what it was that got him off track in the first place. And I think I’ve figured it out. It’s quite obvious, in fact.

It’s the shoes. Yep, those red boots that he’s been sporting lately.

In the beginning we had this:


Lovely goal scoring feet shod in plain ol’ neutral-toned shoes. The kind that left defenders standing with their jaws dropped open. Then, around the time of the Kansas City game, those shoes came off, literally:


And things changed. Next thing I knew, Fredy came out with red boots on. Sure, they catch the eye. And red symbolizes all kinds of sexy things like lust, courage, danger even. But it also represents sin and guilt and volatility. After all, red cars are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. And it sure seems like Fredy’s crashed recently.

What happened? Why the change? Don’t soccer players have the same superstitions as the rest of professional athletes? I see enough players crossing themselves as they run onto the pitch or step up to a corner kick to think that’s true. Don’t mess with a good thing, Fredy! Go back to the old shoes and leave the red boots to Le Hawk:

Chelsea Tickets Presale Info

I'm sure that most of y'all are season ticket holders and therefore have a death-grip on your Chelsea-Sounders tickets. But... if you gave your tickets away to your friend whose wedding you were unable to make at the last minute or to your best friend as a (successful) pacifier after you slept with his girlfriend or some other CRAZY reason, you do have a chance to recoup them:

Presale began TODAY at 10am so GET ON IT. The presale password is 3BLUES (as in you will have the triple blues if you don't get these tix).

Public sales begin Monday, May 11th at 10am.

Seattle Sounders Fans Rule- But what about the MLS?

We Seattle Sounders fans tend to be a little over the top when it comes to talking about how great not only our team is, but how great we are. We sing, we cheer, we all wear scarves, we stand the entire match, and sometimes we dress up like gorillas. We gloat about the envy other cities and their teams must feel for our tremendous fan-dome. And, rightly so, as our season tickets sold out quickly and every home game has been sold out.

Watching the game against the Fire the other day on the high-def tv, I saw things from a little different perspective, however. The stadium looked empty. n fact, from a certain vantage point, there seemed to be more people in the band than fans in the stadium. If these other cities don't get up to par, I don't think it bodes well for the future of the MLS. The still "undefeated" Fire have averaged a measly 10,900 over their last few games. Oh, excuse me 10,901. Some people are speculating that the Chicago-ites "don't know where Toyota Park (their home stadium) is". What up with that Chicago? (If Obama is really promoting the World Cup, I think he should also be pushing for the MLS! He's gone to at least one basketball game as president, why not a MLS game? I Obama, just like many other people, but I'm just saying...)

Look at him here at the Wizards Game- he's drinking a beer, hanging out, relaxing....for the love of God, will someone PLEASE give him a free ticket to an MLS game?

MLS Players Have to Start Taking Their Shirts Off

It's such a tradition to exchange jerseys that Addidas officially made it a part of their ad campaign. If men get to look at the cheerleaders, women and gay men should get to look at someone in an equal level of body fitness and shape, namely the players. Check out McBride below:

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Not so bad is what I'm thinking. Not so bad at all.

Chicago Fire: The Day After

Set Play Sigh of Relief:
Although I’ve tried to ignore it up until now, negative incidents early in the game bode poorly for the Sounders. Keller’s red card in the 29th minute against Kansas City. Montero’s wide open chip shot sent wide in the early minutes at Chivas. And now a yellow card in the first minute at Chicago. Ouch.

Tyrone Marshall didn’t let it get him down though. His toe poke into the back of the net off of Freddie Ljungberg’s corner kick in the 74th minute caused five adults to simultaneously leap off the edge of their seats, throw their arms in the air, and breathe a collective sigh of relief. Whew. Thank you, Tyrone (and Freddie for the nice corner kick and Le Hawk for earning it)!

Montero and Patience:
My compadres and I were guessing about a lineup change for the second period during halftime last night. I put my vote in for Le Hawk coming on for Montero. I was wrong... until the latter’s red card. A gift perhaps? I thought so.

David Falk over at the Seattle Soccer Examiner has a great poll running asking what it will take to turn things around for Montero. You can probably guess how I voted. Check it out here and have your say!

The “Undefeated” Fire

I’ll take a draw any day over a loss, but I wonder how Fire fans are feeling about five draws in the last seven games. The descriptor “undefeated” seems a bit out of place to me. Yes, I know it’s technically correct, but a record of 2-0-5 can’t feel that great. It probably feels a little flat. Just coasting along in neutral. Not really bad. Not really good either. Kinda like abstinence.

McBride gets it. Back in the days of straight win-or-lose, things were more like this:

Obama Makes US World Cup Bid Personal

If Obama is personally writing letters in support of the US bid to host the World Cup in 2018 as reported on ESPN, then this young man has a lot to cheer about. And so do I and maybe you too... if you like the idea of getting decked in red, white, and blue at Xbox Pitch newly refurbished with natural grass.

Rabbit Portends Hat Trick Against Chicago

“Here we go with your weekly chance to be the most boring person in your bar or family.”

It’s official. After two trial runs of Prost Amerika Soccer’s Meaningless Statistical Guide to the Game, I am fully prepared to designate them Genius Soccer Blogger Extraordinaire.

And while you’re pondering the number of left foot, right foot, and header goals Sounders FC and the Fire have tallied up so far, might I suggest that you brush up on your definition of Hat Trick and add a few more meaningless statistics to your pregame repertoire?

While I’m sure you discerning soccer enthusiasts know that a hat trick refers to a single player scoring three goals in a single game, did you know that a player achieves a “Perfect Hat Trick” when the three goals scored are from his right foot, left foot, and head? Moreover you can accomplish a hat trick of hat tricks by scoring hat tricks in three consecutive matches.

So here's hoping for a Sounders FC hat trick tomorrow night in Chicago!

PS – Huge bonus points to any Superfan who makes this their regular Sounders FC home game costume (buy here for a mere $700!). An esoteric costume is an especially bold one, and I guarantee you will not be thought “boring.”

Soccer Chicks

What exactly does this photo have to do with Seattle Sounders FC? Well, nothing, of course. But Google Analytics says that traffic is pretty light on Thursdays and that the posts with pictures of semi-naked chicks get a lot of hits.


So, let's find a connection here... imagine this team of soccer ladies is going to play an exhibition match against Sounders FC rain or shine (hopefully rain) some Sunday afternoon in July. All proceeds will go to Nothing But Nets and their campaign against malaria. Freddie Ljungberg will hook up with the chick front-row second from the left, but she’ll turn out to be allergic to dogs so it doesn’t work out. Brad Evans will be stalked by a Cosmo Girl who fell in love with his “Playa Profile,” but he won’t settle for less than back row, far right. Lastly, “Mandy” will be there and will finally win Evan Brown’s heart despite aggressive advances by middle row third from right.

Enjoy, boys (and girls).

Sounders FC, Swine Flu and You - All you Need to Know

What this means for you......

1. Can I still eat hot dogs before after and during the game?

I don't know-can you?

2. Does beer work like an immunization?

Just stay away from Corona, Pacifico, and Dos Equis and you may very well be be ok. Tequila should be avoided, too.

3. Can I come to games even if I am sick?

Not if you're in section 132 or plan on getting beverages in the vicinity.

4. Are there any precautions I can take before the game?

Again, if you are in Section 132, I recommend gas masks, gloves, and a can of lysol for good measure.


*******For those of you wanting more information about the swine flu, please check the following link, which will have all of the information you need. www.doihaveswineflu.com