Seattle Sounders FC First Kick

The 2013 Seattle Sounders FC season kicks off in just about an hour as they take on the Montreal Impact.

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Ready to get pumped up?!? BOOM BOOM CLAP!

New Sounders Jersey

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

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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.

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!

Roger Levesque's scuba dive

During the 4-2 Seattle Sounders FC victory over the New York Red Bulls on Thursday Roger Levesque had two goals.

The second he capped with a celebration called the "scuba dive."

Check it out: (55 seconds for the best view)

Sounders FC playoffs

This Sunday, October 31, the MLS Cup Western Conference Semifinals kickoff at Qwest Field as the Seattle Sounders FC will be taking on the Los Angeles Galaxy.

It's been a crazy second MLS season for the Sounders FC. They started out very slow and fell to the cellar of the West. But a late season burst set the team on fire. Winning 7 straight MLS games as well as the U.S. Open Cup.

The Galaxy beat the Sounders 4-0 and 3-1 earlier this season. But that was before the team gelled. It's anyones match! Scarves up!

Here's the road to the playoffs:

Road to the Playoffs from Seattle Sounders FC on Vimeo.

Seattle Sounders FC win U.S. Open Cup

For the second time in two years the Seattle Sounders have won the U.S. Open Cup. This time with a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew. That's two years in the MLS and two trophies!

And to top it off the attendance at the match tonight was 31,311 fans. Which is a new U.S. Open Cup Final record!

Great day for soccer in Seattle!

Scarves up!

Seattle Sounders U.S. Open Cup

Tomorrow the Sounders defend the U.S. Open Cup against the Columbus Crew. Scarves up!

US Open Cup Final TV Spot from Seattle Sounders FC on Vimeo.

Scarves up!

First off, sorry for the lack of posts the past few days, my computer had a total meltdown and needed to be slapped around for a bit.

Now it is all back in order and I'm ready to get going again.
Today I'll be heading out to Seattle for the Sounders FC match against the New York Red Bulls. Last season the Red Bulls were the team that the new expansion Sounders FC beat 3-0 in their very first game.

Let's hope for another game like that.

One neat thing that the Sounders are doing this season is the commemorative scarfs for each home match. Each home match a limited number of match specific scarves will be available.


And here's the video from the first match of the Sounders FC last year. Go Sounders! Scarves Up!

Epic Photo: Scarves Up! Playoff Style!

That's right ladies and gentlemen, the playoffs have returned to the Emerald City. Only wait, this time it is for soccer. The Seattle Sounders FC are playing the Houston Dynamo in tonights match-up at Qwest Field.

In honor of the game tonight, check out this amazing pumpkin that my buddy Jeff Ernst carved for his favorite team:


Click on the photo to make it larger.

Photo by Jeff Ernst/Bonney Lake.

Got an awesome photo you'd love to share? Send it to justsouthofnorth@gmail.com with your name, location and a short caption. And we'll host it as an epic photo if it truly is!

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!!!

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!!!

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!

Sounders FC fight to a tie

Brandon had joked earlier that all that the Chicago Fire could do is tie. Well folks, they did it again.

After the match, the score stood 1-1 in a tie.

1-1 you say? As in Kasey Keller gave up a goal? WHAT!?!?!?!

Yes, I am sorry to say that after 457 minutes of play to start the season, Seattle's all-star goalie was finally scored upon.

But the team fought well, despite loosing team star Fredy Montero, who got a red card in the 48th minute. Montero went up for a header against Fire player Gonzalo Segrares, and on the way up Montero elbowed Segrares. The red card was given and Motnero was forced to leave the game.

In the 60th minute, Marco Pappa put the ball past Keller and with it, the Fire went up 1-0.

But just 6 minutes later the Sounders FC answered back with a goal of their own. Freddie Ljungberg sent a corner kick sailing to the far side of the goal. Tyrone Marshall was waiting and simply tapped the ball in for the score.

The Fire finished the game with the shot advantage at 15-4. But despite this, were forced to their fourth straight tie.

The tie left Seattle at 4-2-1 with 13 points. They remain in 2nd place in the West behind Chivas USA who are 5-1-1 with 16 points.

The Sounders FC come home to the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field next week. They'll take on the LA Galaxy at 12:00 PM on Saturday. The Galaxy currently sit in 7th place in the West at 0-1-4 with four points. They certainly won't be a pushover team, as they have already fought the Chivas USA to a 0-0 tie earlier this season.

Scarves up Sounders FC!

It's 5:30 pm. It's time to hit the pitch! Put out the Fire tonight in Chicago!

Northern Rangers: Sounders Game Prediction

Here is the Northern Rangers take on what will happen at the Sounders FC game today vs. the Kansas City Wizards.

Scarves up!

Before I start this post about the Sounders FC game on Saturday, I have to tell you the best headline I have read about the game so far.

So the Kansas City team is called the Wizards. Wizards, Kansas, you all know the story about the girl with red shoes and a yellow brick road. But the best headline so far has to go to the Sounders FC home Web site with:

Wizards in the Emerald City.

Epic headline. Welcome to Seattle.

But what started this post was an email that I received from the Sounders FC about the game. You see, JustSON's very own Northern Rangers will be at the game, and we bought our tickets the moment they went on sale.

How nice of the Sounders to remember me! Here's what the email said:

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Kansas City Wizards
Saturday, April 11 at 7:30pm
Qwest Field, Seattle

Now that you've got tickets for this Sounders FC match, it's time for us to get you informed on the ins and outs of the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Whether this is your first visit or this is your home away from home, we hope this email is a great resource for you and your guests as your prepare the upcoming match. Thank you for your support. We look forward to seeing and hearing you in a few days!

Then they went on to tell me about traffic problems, what the promotions at the game were, how to donate used soccer gear to the Washington Youth Soccer Equipment Drive Program and the best part was this section:

Join Us for Soccer Celebration! We invite you to join us early for the excitement of Soccer Celebration beginning 90 minutes before the first kick. Arrive early and design a GO SOUNDERS FC sign, paint your face and listen to music! All of your pre-match activities are located at the Northwest Gate, continue inside the stadium at the North Plaza and throughout the Qwest Field Plaza. Click here to learn more about the Sounders FC pre-match experience including the March to the Match.

Oh man oh man! You can bet that the Northern Rangers will be there to make a video!

And of course, we'll have our Scarves Up!