MLS Seattle Sounders FC

Sounders FC News & Notes

Published on February 16, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


Sounders FC Lands in Spain

Following a few days off for rest and travel, the Seattle Sounders FC resumes preseason training in La Manga, Spain this week. Seattle will face Norwegian champion Rosenborg BK in the opening Group A match at the La Manga Cup II on Thursday.

Sounders FC will face either Denmark's FC Norsjalland or Norway's Stabak on February 21. The tournament concludes with crossover matches to determine final placement on February 25 and 26.

Seattle opened preseason competition by coming from behind to defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 3-2, on February 11 in Casa Grande, Ariz.

La Manga marks the club's second overseas excursion. Prior to the inaugural 2009 season, Sounders FC played and trained in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The MLS regular season begins March 25 with Sounders FC hosting Philadelphia Union in the MLS First Kick 2010. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

Upcoming Training Schedule, February 17-24 (times are local & subject to change):

Wednesday, February 17 - Training at La Manga, 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.

Friday, February 19 - Training at La Manga, 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 20 - Training at La Manga, 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.

Monday, February 22 - No Training

Tuesday, February 23 - Training at La Manga, 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, February 24 - Training at La Manga, 10:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.

Upcoming Competition Schedule (All times Pacific)

Thursday, February 18, 9 a.m. - Rosenborg BK, La Manga, Spain (La Manga Cup II)

Sunday, February 21, 9 a.m. - FC Norsjalland/Stabak, La Manga, Spain (La Manga Cup II)

Thursday/Friday, February 25/26, TBD - Opponent TBD, La Manga, Spain (La Manga Cup II)

Saturday, March 6, 4 p.m. - at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, B.C.

Thursday, March 11, 6 p.m. - Portland Timbers, Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field, Seattle

Friday, March 19, 6 p.m. - at Colorado Rapids, Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.

Speaking of La Manga

Sounders FC took 28 players to Spain. Three roster players did not make the trip. Midfielder Brad Evans is with the U.S. National Team, which plays El Salvador on February 24 in Tampa. Forward Nate Jaqua (lower abdominal pain) and goalkeeper Terry Boss (ankle) are recovering from injuries and remain in Seattle. Among the non-roster invitees traveling are Derby Carillo (GK), Michael Fucito (MF), Patrick Lane (GK), Lamar Neagle (MF), Jeff Parke (DF) and Tye Perdido (FW).

The eight-team field for the La Manga Cup II is split into two groups. Joining the Sounders FC in Group A is first-round opponent Rosenborg BK, FC Norsjalland and Stabak. Group B consists of Molde FK (Norway), FC Krylia Sovetov (Russia), FC Midtjylland (Denmark) and SK Brann (Norway). Group game winners and losers meet on Sunday, February 21. Final placement will be determined by the outcomes of matches on February 25 and 26.

A Scandinavian power, Rosenborg is the winner of a record 21 Norwegian league titles and nine domestic cups. Rosenborg won 13 straight championships from 1992 to 2004. It begins defense of its 2009 title on March 13. The Norwegian season, similar to MLS, runs through November. Rosenborg gained notoriety in 2004 by reaching the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and has played in Europe four of the last five seasons.

FC Norsjalland, located in Farum, Denmark, is preparing to resume its Danish Superliga schedule. Norsjalland was eighth in the table going into the winter break, which began on December 1. The second half of the season opens March 7. U.S. international defender Michael Parkhurst, 26, plays for Norsjalland after spending four seasons (2004-2008) in MLS with New England.

Stabak, the other potential second round game for Seattle, placed third in Norway last season after winning the title in 2008 and taking second in 2007. Midfielder Mikkel Diskerud, 19, has represented by Norway and the USA at the U-20 international level. Diskerud's mother is from Arizona.

Arlo White Hired as "Voice of the Sounders FC"

The Sounders FC have announced Arlo White as the club's play-by-play announcer. The "Voice of the Sounders FC" will be heard on all television and radio broadcasts.

"I am extremely excited to join the Sounders FC family," said White. "When I came to Seattle last season for opening night, I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere at Qwest Field. This is a great opportunity for me to be a part of a first-class organization. I have high hopes for this club this season."

White, 36, joins Seattle after spending the previous nine years with BBC Radio Sport in England where he served as a host on "BBC Radio 5 Live." White also hosted the station's flagship Premier League Football show, "Saturday 5 Live Sport," and the "Monday Night Club" alongside the legendary BBC football commentator John Motson.

From 2002 to 2005, White was a key presenter on the "5 Live Breakfast" program. During that time, he covered the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and various Champions League football matches.

In November 2006, White joined a very select band of broadcasters to have worked the "Test Match Special" and presented "Sports Report." He served as the presenter of "Saturday 5 Live Sport" for several weeks, and was a regular voice on the network presenting "5 Live Sport."

White has called five Super Bowls for BBC and hosted a weekly NFL show.

Last season, White was in the booth for one Sounders FC match, calling play-by-play versus Houston.

He and his wife, Lizi, are the parents of twin daughters, Eva and Amelie.

All Sounders FC league games not aired nationally on ESPN or FSC will be carried live on KING 5 or KONG 6/16. All games can also be heard on the radio home of Sounders FC, News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM. All Sounders FC Spanish language broadcasts will be aired on Ke Buena 1210 AM, except nationally aired broadcasts. Select Sounders FC Spanish language TV matches will be aired on KOMO2 TV, Comcast channel 114, a Univision sister station.

Sounders FC Completes Hurtado Transfer, Extends Evans Contract, Re-Signs Wahl

Sounders FC completed the transfer of defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, extended the contract of midfielder Brad Evans and re-signed defender Tyson Wahl.

Each player is entering their second year with the Sounders FC. Per club and Major League Soccer policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

"Jhon Kennedy was a very strong performer for us during our first season and with his permanent transfer we are able to assure our nucleus remains intact," said general manager Adrian Hanauer. "Together with our agreements with Brad and Tyson, this further prepares us to go forward in establishing Sounders FC as a championship contender within MLS and the region."

In 2009 Hurtado, 25, had played for Seattle while on loan from Colombia's Deportivo Cali. His rights have now been permanently acquired by Sounders FC. Hurtado was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year and a member of the MLS All-Star team in 2009. He appeared in 27 games, starting 26, in Seattle's central defense.

Now entering his fourth MLS season, Evans, 24, scored three goals and added two assists for the Sounders FC in 2009. He started 25 matches and was a substitute in two others. Evans earned his first three U.S. international caps during the 2009 Gold Cup, and he has been called in for the USA-El Salvador friendly to be played on February 24 in Tampa.

Wahl, 25, started nine times and in appeared in 12 League matches altogether last year. He is entering his fifth MLS season.

Dick McCormick Named Academy GM/Coach

Sounders FC has named longtime professional player and local youth coach Dick McCormick as Manager/Head Coach of the Sounders FC Youth Academy.

McCormick, 41, is a Seattle native who played over 500 pro games and, most recently, coached some of the area's most successful youth teams. In 13 seasons McCormick was a playmaking midfielder for several indoor and outdoor clubs, including the Tacoma Stars, Seattle SeaDogs and USL Sounders. He won championships with the Sounders in 1995 and 1996, and with the SeaDogs in 1997.

A youth coach since 1999, McCormick has earned a USSF National 'A' License. Each of his teams have won several state championships and two Far West Regional championships. Each of his current U18 team have signed letters of intent with Division I programs. He most recently served as girls coaching director for Crossfire Premier since 2005.

McCormick served as head coach of the W-League Sounders from 2002 to 2004, reaching the national semifinals in 2003. He was an assistant coach under Brian Schmetzer for the USL Sounders from 2002 to 2004.

The Sounders FC Youth Academy teams will begin play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) this summer.

Seattle Rallies to Edge 'Caps in Preseason Opener

Seattle scored three times in the second half, coming from two goals down to defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 3-2, in its first preseason training game, played February 11 in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Sanna Nyassi scored twice, including the game-winner in the 88th minute. Lamar Neagle also scored for Sounders FC.

Down 2-0 entering the second half, Neagle knocked in a Josh Gardner corner kick in the 49th minute and Nyassi charged the net and knocked one past Vancouver keeper Jay Nolly in the 50th minute to quickly pull Seattle level.

After having an earlier goal called back for offside, in the final minutes Nyassi took a pass from Nathan Sturgis and blasted it into the net to seal the comeback.

Cornelius Stewart got the Whitecaps on the board first in the 36th minute, knocking in a rebound to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead. Then they doubled that lead in the 39th minute when Ansu Toure blasted a shot from the left side of the box.

That score held until halftime, but the Sounders FC came out with a new lineup to start the second half and the fresh legs paid off.

Sounders FC starters: Chris Eylander, Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Tyrone Marshall, Eric Winblad, Gao Leilei, Peter Vagenas, Osvaldo Alonso, Jacob Lousky, Roger Levesque, David Estrada.

Sounders FC second half starters: Derby Carillo, Tyson Wahl, Jamel Wallace, Taylor Graham, Brad Evans, Josh Gardner, Nathan Sturgis, Stephen King, Lamar Neagle, Jarrod Smith, Sanna Nyassi.

Sounders FC to Visit Vancouver

Sounders FC will visit the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for a preseason match on Saturday, March 6, at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C. First kick is at 4 p.m. PT.

All tickets for the match will cost $15, plus applicable service charges. Tickets will be available to the public on Wednesday, February 17, at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets will be available online at ticketmaster.ca or by calling 604.280.4400.

Sounders FC Host Timbers in Preseason Community Shield Match

The Sounders FC will host the Portland Timbers in the club's inaugural "Community Shield" match on Thursday, March 11. Kick-off is at 6 p.m. on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

General Admission tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth (6-17). Children under the age of six are free. Tickets are available at www.SoundersFC.com, by calling 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets and the Qwest Field Box office.

Proceeds from the match will benefit the team's four community partners: Boys and Girls Club of Washington State, Save the Children, Seattle SCORES and Washington Youth Soccer. Following the match the teams will sign autographs from the field.

Preseason Training List

The following players are training with Sounders FC in Spain: Goalkeepers (4): Derby Carillo*; Chris Eylander, Kasey Keller, Patrick Lane*; Defenders (11): Taylor Graham, Leo Gonzalez, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Tyrone Marshall, Jeff Parke*,James Riley, Zach Scott, Nathan Sturgis, Tyson Wahl, Jamel Wallace#; Midfielders (7): Osvaldo Alonso, Michael Fucito*, Stephen King, Freddie Ljungberg, Sanna Nyassi, Lamar Neagle*, Peter Vagenas; Forwards (5): David Estrada#, Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero, Tye Perdido*, Steve Zakuani.

#SuperDraft selection

*invitee

Throw-ins

The Sounders FC players and staff attended the February 10 NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers on the eve of their departure from Arizona...Tyson Wahl will turn 26 on February 23...General Manager Adrian Hanauer and Technical Director Chris Henderson returned from scouting in Argentina and Uruguay and have joined the team for its trip to Spain...The U.S. Women's U-20 Team will play in La Manga during Seattle's stay. The USA plays three matches against the U-23 teams of England, Germany and Norway from February 18 through February 27. Bothell, Wash. native and Cedar Park Christian graduate Lucretia Lee is a member of the U.S. team. Lee, a defender, plays for UCLA. The USA is playing older teams in preparation for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Germany.

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