Qwest Field Gets Praise from the KC Wizards

http://gosounders.com/2008/08/24/qwest-field-gets-praise-from-the-kc-wizards/

Article on Starfire Training Facility Expansion

http://gosounders.com/2008/08/24/article-on-starfire-training-facility-expansion/

Funny for the Day... LeBron to Sounders FC

http://gosounders.com/2008/08/04/funny-for-the-day-lebron-to-sounders-fc/

Articles on Sébastien LeToux and Nate Jaqua

The Offside has a good article, "Better Know Your Sounders- Sébastien Le Toux".

Seattle MLS Blog has a very interesting reminder that Nate Jaqua is out there and what it would take for Seattle to sign him.

Adrian Hanauer Article in Seattle Magazine

There is a multi-page article, The Gambler, about Adrian Hanauer in the June 2008 issue of Seattle Magazine. Enjoy!

Click on the scans below for the actual article layout...

PI: Will Henry Be Sounders' $10Million Man?

The PI's Sports 2Day Poll today asks:

Should the Sounders FC pay whatever is needed to obtain French start Thierry Henry?
Yes. Henry is skilled and the type of athlete you want representing your city.
No. Paying over $10 million for him is too much.

UPDATE from the PI

Rumor of the Day: Thierry Henry a Sounder?

Gary Wright - Head of Business Operations

Gary Wright has been with the Seahawks for 32 years and will step away from the NFL next week to run the business operations for Sounders FC (from the PI).

Drew Carey and the Membership Association

Drew Carey showed up and began on-time at Kells today to give out the details of the Sounders FC Membership Association of which he is the chairperson.

The quick details:

• All Season Ticket Holders are members of the association. Everyone who wants to be a member, will have to pay $125
• The GM is up for election every 4 years, but if 20% of the Membership asks for a recall every year, a vote will be taken
• 50% +1 will vote out the GM (and only the GM) ... The Front Office hires, the Membership Fires
• There will be a Membership Council- Any member will participate in the Quarterly Meetings if 25 other members sponsor them.
• Members will have voting rights, discounts at the Team Store and Local establishments among other things including a newsletter.

Other Coverage...

• SoundersFC.com
• Seattle PI
• GoalSeattle Blog
• Indirect Kick
• MyNorthwest

Auditions for the Marching Band

Last month SoundersFC opened up the registration for the Marching Band. You can still register for the auditions on June 1st.

The Band, selected by Interim Director Keith Rouso, and Kevin Griffin (SoundersFC Fan Development Director) will consist of a combination of 50 brass and percussion players.

Some Season Ticketing Stats

The SoundersFC Front Office was expecting a Deposit to Purchase completion rate of 90%. This article notes that the SoundersFC is actually converting Season Ticket Deposits at an astounding 102% rate. This is showing that folks are actually purchasing more seats in addition to their deposit.

This is a very cool thing for Seattle Soccer Supporters and SoundersFC.

Enjoying your Qwest Field Seats

There's a new article on SoundersFC.com about the seating for Sounders FC games at Qwest Field.

It notes the following Special Sections

• Family (alcohol-free), 100-102
• Supporters (general admissiom), 121-123
• All-inclusive (regional food, FSN Lounge), 209, 235
• All-inclusive (hot dogs, peanuts, soft drinks), 144-151

Whether you want to sit, stand, cheer or sing, the Front Office will know where to sit you!

I think the use of detailing the interests of the team's fans is an absolute fascinating advantage that SoundersFC will have over any other major sports teams in the US.

More on LeToux

Following up yesterday's announcement about Sounders FC signing Sebastien LeToux as their first player, here is some background information on the Frenchman.

Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
Birthplace: Rennes, France
DOB: January 10, 1984

Before playing for the Sounders (USL), Sebastien played for FC Lorient (2004-06) in the French League 2. He was with Stade Renais FC in the French First Division from 2001-04 but never saw the pitch on GameDay.

2007 - Seattle Sounders (USL)
*Co-leader in the USL in Goals Scored (10)
*Awarded USL First Division MVP

*GOALSeattle.com has some great photos from the Sounders Media Day and Contract Announcement.
*Seattle Times Article

Photo from GOALSeattle.com blog

Adrian Hanauer's "Postcard from Buenos Aires"

SoundersFC.com has a fun little blurb about Adrian Hanauer and Chris Henderson's trip to Argentina to scout the South American talent. Check it out.

Casey Keller the Cure?

The Seattle PI, has an article noting that scorings Lacey's Casey Keller may be a "goal of the Sounders FC inaugural team."

The 38-year old has been in touch with Adrian Hanauer. I hope he isn't expecting the same type of salary he's getting at Fulham.

Call Us Sounders FC

Article about the Name, Democracy in Action, Support, and Fans' Reactions.

Some Thoughts on the Name

• Seattle Sounders FC - Ownership Gets It Right
• Introducing, the Seattle Sounders- NY Times
• It's wise to call new MLS team the Sounders- Seattle Times
• Sounders FC by fans' acclamation- Seattle PI
• What's in a (nick)name?- SoccerAmerica.com
• Now the Sounders just need a team- News Tribune