Seattle Seahawks and Sounders license plates

We've all seen those personalized plates driving around, Mariners, UW, WSU, heck even EWU is in on the action! But what if you could get a Sounders FC or a Seahawks license plate? Well that may be happening soon.

(Until these are made you can rock this Seattle Seahawks Chrome License Plate Frame)

The Washington state Legislature is considering a bill that would create Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC license plates.

According to King 5:
 
SB 5152 also allows pro sports franchises in the state to sponsor a special license plate if the funds are used in conjunction with a nonprofit organization.Some proceeds from the Sounders plates will go to the Association of Washington Generals to develop educational, veterans, international relations, and civic Projects. Some of the money will also support a nonprofit to increase the number of young mentors in Washington.

Funds from the Seahawks plates would benefit the nonprofit InvestED to encourage secondary students who have economic needs to stay in school or return to school.

The plates would cost you $40 to get and then cost $30 at the yearly renewal. If the bill passes, the plates would become available January 1.

I'd think about getting them. I know Brandon won't though. Mainly because his current plates read "GINGER1".

Timbers vs Sounders TIFO

The supporters tifo is a great part of attending any soccer match. Seeing what the rival groups do is always a lot of fun.

And no group does it better than the Timbers Army of the Portland Timbers and the Emerald City Supporters of the Seattle Sounders FC.

This Saturday's Cascadia Cup rivalry match between Portland and Seattle should bring some great tifo. MLSsoccer.com takes a look at some of the past iterations of Portland and Seattle supporter-created tifo.

(Buy your Portland Timbers gear here to support the Rose City. RCTID!)


(Buy your Seattle Sounders FC gear here to support the Emerald City. Scarves up!)





Portland Timbers
or
Seattle Sounders FC?

New Sounders Jersey

Tonight the Seattle Sounders FC revealed their new 2013-2014 kits. And I liked them.

(Buy your Seattle Sounders FC gear here)


The green kits was exactly as the leak, (we posted about that a few weeks ago), but the black kit is different.

While the leak is close, it's no where near as cool as the jersey that was revealed tonight. The stripe is in fact both Sounders colors, not just the green as originally leaked. While I'll always be a fan of the bright green jersey, the shale is pretty cool.

Here's what the Sounders press release said about the new kits:

The primary kit remains rave green and features a subtle silhouette of the Space Needle positioned vertically on the right chest.  The traditional adidas three stripes and trim are in Sounders blue. 
The secondary kit continues in cascade shale with the addition of a two inch vertical stripe which connects team colors through a mosaic design to emphasize the team’s unique and diverse fan base.  The adidas three stripes and trim are also in rave green.  Fans will notice a new lettering and numbering font for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.  This will be the first time the primary and secondary kits feature different patterns.

And now, here are the new kits. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Seattle Sounders 2013 jerseys

Earlier tonight I posted about the 2013 Portland Timbers jersey. And since the Seattle Sounders and Timbers are bitter rivals I figured it was only fair to post about the 2013 Seattle Sounders jersey as well.

(Buy your Seattle Sounders FC gear here)

 Now it took a bit of digging on my part to uncover the Portland Timbers jersey. However, the Seattle Sounders actually leaked their jerseys on accident. Photos of players showed up on their website wearing new, never before seen jerseys.

The rumors started flying that these were the new jerseys (and shortly after this the Sounders website removed the photos).

So, here are the believed to be 2013 Seattle Sounders jerseys:



Now the jerseys seem nothing special and look pretty much like the first edition of the Seattle Sounders jersey. Main difference is those jerseys had white Adidas striping and these have what appear to be a baby blue color striping. Also these have some sort of strange swirl pattern on the right shoulders. But overall, not very exciting. And is it just me or is the Rave Green not so Rave anymore?

Leaked Seattle Sounders 2013 kits

The MLS season is just about here and the MLS still hasn't released the new designs for many of the teams. However, today a photo was leaked that perhaps shows the Seattle Sounders FC 2013 kits.

What do you think of the Sounders 2013 kits?

I think these are HUGE step up from the stupid bra strap kits of the last two seasons. But I like the solid green kits. I think the green and black should be switched on this design. Thoughts? Leave a comment!

Sounders off to best start ever

So the Sounders FC aren't exactly a storied franchise yet... they've been around for just a few years but believe it or not, they're off to the best start in team history.

For Sounders FC, it sounds like the recipe for a slow start to the MLS season. Instead, Seattle is 3-1-1 — the best record after five games in the franchise's young history — heading into a bye this weekend.

Surprisingly, the Sounders have done it using 19 different starters, tied with D.C. United for the most in the league. The Sounders have used a different starting lineup in each MLS game.

"That's an impressive stat," said defender Zach Scott, the unlikely hero in the 1-0 victory over Colorado on Saturday, "but you can see that from years past: The guys we've put in reserve games, the guys we've put in Open Cups, Champions League — this team is deep. The front office does a great job of finding guys who can start on other teams. Basically, we've got two starting groups."


Their defense has been incredible so far, and that's how you win soccer games. Much like baseball or football you're going to always run into games where you can't score. If you have a great defense, then when you have those games you still have a chance to win because the other team isn't scoring either. However, one thing the Sounders shouldn't do is sub in Brandon League in the latter stages of the game.

The new carpet at the Clink

The Clinks hosts the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders, not to mention numerous other events and the occasional Eastern Washington football game. It gets a lot of use in Seattle, and that means a lot of abuse on the turf. Hence, they just replaced the turf after it was just installed in 2008. Not exactly a long shelf life for this artificial turf.

And with the Huskies coming to play football in the Clink, will it hold up?

The installation of new FieldTurf at CenturyLink Field was completed Friday, right on schedule at the end of February. The Sounders are set to practice Monday and Tuesday on the new synthetic surface -- the debut of the "Revolution" system -- leading into Wednesday's preseason finale against Jaguares de Chiapas at 7 p.m.

The field looks impressive now, but the key will be how it holds up. CenturyLink Field is a popular venue for concerts and events; the venue will also host three teams in 2012 as the UW football team joins the party in the fall during Husky Stadium renovations.

Couldn't the Huskies just play at Safeco Field, I mean then they might actually have some real athletes in that building?

MLS First Kick 2011

The Sounders have been members of the MLS for three years, and in each of those years they have brought in the new season of soccer by hosting the MLS First Kick. Relive the victories in 2009, and 2010 in this video mash-up.



And the Northern Rangers were at that first game in 2009. Here's our video from it:

MLS new conferences

With the MLS season starting on March 15, with Seattle Sounders FC hosting the L.A. Galaxy, many are wondering about the conferences now that Portland and Vancouver have joined the league.

The addition of Portland and Vancouver brings the league to 18 teams. The MLS wanted to have two conferences of nine teams.

Since the league currently had two conferences of eight teams someone would have to move to the East. Unless the league did something dumb like make Portland go to the East.

But thankfully the MLS decided to continue with the geography and send the furthest East team of the Western Conference to the East. That would be the Houston Dynamo.

Along with the new Conferences also comes a new play-off qualifying system for the league.

With 18 teams playing a balanced schedule, we will see the top three teams from each conference automatically qualify, followed by four wild-card teams regardless of conference.

However, the wild-card teams square off with a play-in game to reach the main field, where the survivor with the lowest seed will face the conference winner with the most regular-season points, and the higher-seeded wild-card team will play the opposite conference winner.

Now I'm not sure what will happen next season once Montreal joins the league. But we'll worry about that next year. For now, let's just hope the season get's started the right way in two weeks. With a Sounders FC victory!

Sounders new kits

The Seattle Sounders FC unveiled their "alternate" kits today. And all I can say is, are you the University of Oregon now?

Seriously Sounders? Terrible.

Epic Video: How It All Began

Here's a flashback post from March 19, 2009. The Sounders FC first game. Hard to believe it's already playoff time.

The Northern Rangers post went like this:

Today marked a new era in Seattle sports history. The world's game came into the Emerald City as the Sounders FC began play against the New York Red Bulls.

The Northern Rangers were at this historic event. Here's how the day went:



21-year-old forward Fredy Montero scored two of the three Sounder goals. And he showed that he has amazing talent and was an excellent pickup from Columbia.

Lacey, Washington native Kasey Keller stood out as he made some spectacular saves throughout the game.

And one of the coolest events at the game was when the Sounders would score. Confetti was shot from the roof and it rained down onto the field and the crowd. By the third goal, the pitch was covered and the crowd was louder than ever.

Please note: My favorite part about this is watching the Northern Rangers videos now. I think the host has become much better and more comfortable. haha.

Sounders FC shirts

You can pre-order your U.S. Open Cup Champion t-shirts now! Click here.

Sounders FC gameday: Blue Kits

The Sounders FC take on the Los Angeles Galaxy tonight in perhaps their most crucial game of the season.

This marks the third successive road game for Sounders FC (7-5-8 and 29 points), who have lost two in a row and gone winless in the last three MLS matches. Meanwhile, the Galaxy (7-3-10, 31) has won five and drawn once in its last six games. It will be the first league home game for L.A.’s David Beckham since his return from a loan to AC Milan.

The recent Sounders losses have dropped them to fourth in the West with their 29 points. Houston is still in 1st with 38 points and they just keep winning. The Galaxy are in 2nd with their 31 points. In 3rd is Colorado with 30 points. And then the Sounders.

So this game is HUGE! The Sounders need a win tonight to stay in the race. A loss and they would fall further in the standings in the West.

And according to Jose Romero over at the Seattle Times, evidently the Sounders will be debuting their blue kits tonight. The blue jerseys and blue shorts with the green socks have not been worn except for in preseason play as pictured above.

Perhaps this change is just what the Sounders FC need.

The match starts at 8:00 PM on KONG TV.

We'll keep you posted after the game.

SCARVES UP!!!

Seattle Light Rail to the Sounders FC

The Sounders FC tied today with the Chicago Fire 0-0 in a hard fought battle on the XBOX Pitch. It was a fun game to watch, just wish the Sounders would have come away with the win.

And in other news, I rode the new light rail to the game. It cost $4.50 for a round trip ticket from Tukwila to the Stadium Station. Which was so much better than me having to drive into downtown Seattle, fight the traffic and construction, and try to find a place to park.

Here's more about the light rail, a map of where it runs, as well as a video for those of you who don't know what a light rail system is:

Central Link opened July 18, 2009 from downtown Seattle to Tukwila. A temporary bus shuttle will connect light rail passengers from Tukwila Internation Blvd Station to Sea Tac Airport. By December 2009, Link will extend directly to the SeaTac/Airport station, replacing the shuttle.

Sounders Gameday

It's Sounders FC gameday today! And Seattle is going to be packed.

Sounders start at 12 pm, Mariners start in the neighboring stadium at 1 pm, Seafair is going on, construction too. It's going to be a busy area.

I'm actually going to the game too! So the Northern Rangers will be represented. But I'm going to ride the new light-rail into the game. What's the light-rail you're asking? Well, I'll post more about this later so tune back.

As for the Sounders, they currently sit in 2nd place in the West with 28 points, (Houston is in first with 32).

The FC will be taking on the Chicago Fire today who are in first place in the East, also with 28 points.

This is a cruical game for the Sounders, as they may have 28 points, but by no means can feel comfortable as both Los Angeles and Chivas USA have 27 points and Colorado has 24.

So a win today over the Fire would be HUGE!!!

Here's the press release about the game and traffic from soundersfc.com:

Mariners first pitch at Safeco Field is 1 p.m. PT.

Seattle Sounders FC fans are encouraged to arrive early at Qwest Field for Saturday’s match vs. the Chicago Fire. The Qwest Field gates open at 10:30 a.m. The match starts at noon.

Fans can expect additional traffic and congestion due to the Mariners game, Seafair activities and road construction.

Fans are encouraged to avoid South Royal Brougham Way unless they park in the Qwest Event Center Garage. Fans parking in the garage will have access by one lane only via South Royal Brougham Way and Fourth Avenue South.

And SCARVES UP!!!

Scarves up!

Chelsea FC of the English Premier League comes to the XBOX Pitch at Qwest Field today for a friendly match between the Blues and the Seattle Sounders FC.

Location:
Seattle, WA

Match Date, Time:
07/18/09, 12:00 PM

Broadcast Coverage:
ESPN2, 97.3 KIRO FM

The Sounders have covered the pitch in real grass, they've opened the entire 67,000 seats up for an almost sold out crowd, it's lovely weather today in Seattle and the international team of Chelsea is here to play.

Scarves up!

Epic Video: Great Soccer Goals

It's Sounders FC gameday! They take on the Houston Dynamo at 1 PM in a cruicial game in the West. The Dynamo currently sit in first place in not only the West, but the MLS.

To that I say, SCARVES UP!!!!

Sounders FC Gameday

Today the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup continues and the Seattle Sounders FC are still in the hunt.

I won't be at the game today, but I am currently sitting at my desk, in my jersey, and wearing my scarf.

At 7:00 PM the Kansas City Wizards play the Sounders FC at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, WA.

Here are the rest of the Quarterfinal Games thanks to USOpenCup.com:

Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2) at Rochester Rhinos (USL-1)
Marina Auto Stadium - Rochester, NY | 7 p.m.
Broadcast: USLLive.com, 107.3 FM

Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) at D.C. United (MLS)
Maryland Soccerplex - Boyds, MD | 7:30 p.m.
DCU Broadcast: English & Spanish radio
HCI Broadcast: WMSS-FM radio

Houston Dynamo (MLS) at Charleston Battery (USL-1)
Blackbaud Stadium - Charleston, SC | 7:30 p.m.
Broadcast: USLLive.com

Scarves UP!!!!!

U.S. Open Cup tonight in Portland

I am currently on my way down to Portland, Oregon for the U.S. Open Cup third round game between the Seattle Sounders F.C. and the Portland Timbers. The winner will advance to meet the winner of the MLS Kansas City Wizards and the USL-1 Minnesota Thunder. View the full bracket here. But first, what is the U.S. Open Cup?

In a nutshell, the U.S. Open Cup is very similar to domestic cup competitions popular throughout Europe, South America and the rest of the world. Cup competitions, which usually run concurrent with a country's league season, are open in the early stages to any club that can qualify, giving local amateru teams a chance to compete against the best teams a country has to offer.

View more about the cup history here.

And thanks to USOpenCup.com, here is a preview of tonights match-up. SCARVES UP!!!

Seattle Sounders F.C. (MLS) at Portland Timbers (USL-1)
PGE Park - Portland, OR | 7 p.m. PST

DID YOU KNOW

In 1987, Seattle’s Mitre Eagles were involved in one of the three U.S. Open Cup Finals to end in a scoreless draw, a game they lost on penalty kicks to Club Espana of Washington D.C.. Baltimore S.C. and Chicago’s Sparta played to a scoreless draw in the first leg of the 1940 Final, and eventually shared the title after a 2-2 draw in the second leg (no PK tiebreakers back then). The other was in 1997 when the Dallas Burn used PKs to topple D.C. United for their only Open Cup title.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

While the MLS Sounders are a different animal than the team that was featured as the Timbers main rival in the USL First Division, this quite possibly is the most anticipated meeting between the two cities on the soccer pitch. Portland has faced the USL-1 Sounders twice in Open Cup play. In 2005, Portland came out on top 2-0, and Seattle returned the favor in 2007 with a 2-1 win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Seattle

Sebastien Le Toux (M) – Le Toux is the link to the Open Cup success enjoyed by the USL-1 version of the Sounders. The French native played for two seasons with the USL-1 Sounders, and was the first player signed by the MLS Sounders. He ranks third in the Professional Era (1995-2009) in Open Cup goals scored with 10, and was involved in all four of the Sounders goals (2 goals, 2 assists) in their 4-1 MLS play-in win over Real Salt Lake on April 28

Fredy Montero (F) – On loan from Colombian club Depotivo Cali, Montero has become the center of the Sounders attack, scoring eight goals and assisting on six others after only 14 games.

Steve Zakuani (M) – The rookie has made an immediate impact for the Sounders, recording two goals and three assists so far. Was a runner-up for the Hermann Trophy in his sophomore year at the University of Akron.

Portland

Brian Farber (M) – After spending time with in the MLS reserve league with Houston and San Jose, Farber played with the Minnesota Thunder in 2007, appearing in all 28 games with 7 goals and 3 assists. He spent 2008 with the Stockton Cougars of the Professional Arena Soccer League.

Cameron Knowles (D) – Knowles has spent the last three seasons with Portland, after spending 2005 & 2006 with Real Salt Lake. In his debut season with Portland, he was named one of the three finalists for the USL-1 Defender of the Year award (won by David Hayes of Atlanta)

Keita Mandjou (F) – The native of Guinea began his career in 2004 with Perak FA of the Malaysian league, and won the league scoring title in 2006. In 2008 he moved to Brunei DPMM F.C. of Singapore’s S-League, and was also the captain of the Guinea Under-23 squad.

OPEN CUP HISTORY

Portland

Overall: 5-5-0, 16 GF 14 GA

vs. MLS: 0-2-0 0 GF 5 GA

Portland has struggled in Open Cup play, winning only three times in eight Open Cup matches prior to 2009, as well as becoming the second USL-1 side to lose to a USASA club (Hollywood United in 2008)

Seattle

Overall: 0-0-0 0 GF 0 GA

vs. USL-1: 0-0-0 0 GF 0 GA

The USL-1 version of the Sounders made a name for themselves by knocking off MLS clubs in recent Open Cup tournaments. In 2006 & 2007, the Sounders were 4-1 against MLS teams. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the MLS Sounders will try to avoid a repeat of 1995, 1997 and 2006, the only years the USL-1 Sounders fell to lower division opponents in cup play.

Sounders FC Gameday

D.C. United, we would like to welcome you to the Emerald City. Please don't be alarmed, these people in the stands are called fans, and the Sounders FC have a lot of them. So many in fact that you might be wondering how that is. Well, Seattle has embraced this team and love their blue and green.

Tonight at 7:30 PM the Seattle Sounders FC (5-3-5) host D.C. United (5-2-7).

The Sounders FC currently sit in third place in the Western Standings with 20 points. They are behind Houston and Chivas USA who both have 27 points.

D.C. United has a grasp on first in the Eastern Standings with 22 points.

A win tonight is crucial for the Sounders FC who need to keep pace with Houston and Chivas USA. They also can't afford to allow Colorado, who has 17 points, gain any ground on them.

So let's hear it tonight Green and Blue! Scarves Up!