Seattle Sounders (USL) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Seattle Sounders was an American professional soccer team founded in 1994 as a member of the American Professional Soccer League

American Professional Soccer League

The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...

. In 1997, the team became a member of the USL First Division

USL First Division

The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....

, the second tier of the United States soccer pyramid, until 2008, after which the majority of the team's staff and resources were directed to the new Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

franchise, Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...

.

They played their last season at the Starfire Sports Complex

Starfire Sports Complex

Starfire Sports Complex is a sporting facility in Tukwila, Washington, on the banks of the Green River, near Seattle. It is operated by the non-profit corporation Starfire Sports. At the time of its opening, CEO Chris Slatt believed it to be "the largest synthetic-turf soccer complex in the...

in Tukwila, Washington

Tukwila, Washington

Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...

, having previously played for many years at Qwest Field (now CenturyLink Field). The team was last coached by Brian Schmetzer

Brian Schmetzer

Brian Schmetzer is a retired U.S. soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer League. He coached the Seattle Sounders in the USL First Division for seven seasons, winning two championships. He was the 2002 USL-1 Coach of the Year...

. The team's colors were blue and white.

The team had a sister organization, the Seattle Sounders Women

Seattle Sounders Women

The Seattle Sounders Women is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2003. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States, and as a club in the Western Division, they play against Colorado Force, Colorado Rush, LA Strikers, ...

, who play in the women's USL W-League.

History

The club was founded in 1994 and named after the original Seattle Sounders

Seattle Sounders (NASL)

The Seattle Sounders were a U.S. professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1974, the team belonged to the North American Soccer League where it played both indoor and outdoor soccer. The team folded after the 1983 NASL outdoor season.-Stadium:The Sounders played at Memorial...

soccer team, which played from 1974 to 1983 in the North American Soccer League

North American Soccer League

North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...

.

The A-League/USL-1 Sounders have four championships to their credit, winning the league cup in 1995, 1996, 2005 and again in 2007. Seattle finished with the best regular season record in the league in 1994, 2002, and 2007. The Sounders have numerous division titles and advanced to the league finals in both 2004 and 2005. In 2004 the Sounders lost the championship 2–0 at Montreal. In 2005 Seattle drew the Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers

The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...

1–1 at Qwest Field

Qwest Field

CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer...

before claiming the championship 4–3 in penalty kicks. In 2007, the Sounders defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 4–0 to claim their fourth championship title.

The Sounders formed a partnership with English side Cambridge United

Cambridge United F.C.

Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...

in 2006 due to Adrian Hanauer's involvement with both clubs.

MLS Expansion

A Major League Soccer spokesman confirmed that Seattle would be the recipient of a 2009 Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

expansion team, which would be partly owned by Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer

Adrian Hanauer

Adrian Hanauer is an American businessman and minority owner and general manager of the Seattle Sounders FC.- Business history :Hanauer's family owns Pacific Coast Feather Co., a down pillow, feather bed, and high-end bedding products manufacturer that was originally founded in 1884 in Germany, but...

and would play its home games at Qwest Field. The name was released on April 7, 2008 as Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle Sounders FC

, continuing the Sounders name beyond the USL franchise. Hanauer confirmed in a press conference that the USL Sounders' last season in Seattle would be 2008.

Final Squad

vs Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...

, September 20, 2008

Notable former players

Mark Baena

Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals...

Preston Burpo

Preston Burpo is a retired American soccer player who is now goalkeeper coach for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-College:...

Brian Ching

Brian Ching is an American professional soccer forward currently playing for the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

Jason Dunn

Jason Dunn (soccer)

Jason Dunn is a retired American soccer forward. He was the 1994 American Professional Soccer League and the 1996-1997 National Professional Soccer League Rookies of the Year. He also earned three caps with the U.S. national team in 1994...

Jason Farrell

Jason Farrell is a former U.S. soccer midfielder who spent four seasons in Major League Soccer, two in the American Professional Soccer League, one in the A-League, three in the National Professional Soccer League and four in the USL First Division...

Chance Fry

Chance Fry is a retired U.S. soccer forward who began his career straight out of high school with the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League. With the collapse of the NASL, he moved to indoor soccer as well as U.S. minor leagues. Since retiring from playing, Fry has become a college...

Maykel Galindo

Maykel Galindo is a Cuban footballer currently playing for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.-Cuba:A rising star in the youth ranks of the Cuban national team, he made his debut in a January 2002 friendly match against Guatemala...

Herculez Gomez

Herculez Gomez Hurtado is an American soccer player who currently plays for Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México.-Early life:...

Marcus Hahnemann

Marcus Stephen Hahnemann is an American international soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Everton.Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 and 1999 he turned out for the Colorado Rapids, signing with English club...

Peter Hattrup

Peter Hattrup is a retired U.S. soccer player and current youth soccer coach.-Youth and college:Hattrup was a four-year starter as a star player for the Seattle Preparatory School boys' soccer team. He graduated in 1982 and entered Seattle Pacific University.Hattrup was a scoring sensation for...

Gary Heale

Gary John Heale is a former professional football player in both USA and England....

Dominic Kinnear

Dominic Kinnear is a Scottish-born American former soccer player. He is currently the head coach of Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.As a player, he began his professional career with Scottish club St...

C. J. Klaas Joey Leonetti

Joey Leonetti

Joe "Joey" Leonetti is a former U.S. soccer player. He played for numerous soccer teams over a career which began in 1988 with F.C. Portland and ended in 1999 with the Willamette Valley Firebirds. He also earned two caps with the U.S...

Dick McCormick

Dick McCormick is a former U.S. soccer midfielder and current youth soccer coach. McCormick had an extenisive professional career in six indoor and outdoor leagues over his fourteen year professional career. He has served as an assistant coach with the Seattle Sounders and head coach of the...

Neil Megson

Neil Megson (soccer)

Neil Megson is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches youth soccer. He played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, nine in Major Indoor Soccer League, one in the Continental Indoor Soccer League and six in the USL First Division and its predecessors...

Ciaran O'Brien

Ciaran Patrick O'Brien is an American soccer player who currently plays for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:...

Ian Russell

Ian Russell (soccer)

Ian Russell is an American soccer player and coach.Russell attended the University of Washington on a soccer scholarship and was a three-time All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection. He then played for the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division in 1998 and 1999...

Craig Waibel

Craig Waibel is a former American soccer player.-College:Waibel played college soccer at University of Washington, and with Spokane Shadow in the USL Premier Development League prior to turning professional....

Welton

Welton Melo

Wélton Araújo Melo is a former Brazilian footballer. He last played striker role for the Seattle Sounders of USL First Division....

Cam Weaver

William Cameron "Cam" Weaver is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.-High School and College:...

See also: All-time Seattle Sounders roster

Year-by-year

Year	League	Reg. Season	Playoffs	US Open Cup	Avg. Attendance
1994	APSL	1st	Semifinals	Did not enter	6,347
1995	A-League	2nd	Champion	Semifinals	4,571
1996	A-League	3rd	Champion	Quarterfinals	3,750
1997	USISL A-League	2nd, Pacific	Division Finals	Did not qualify	2,873
1998	USISL A-League	2nd, Pacific	Conference Semifinals	Did not qualify	2,902
1999	USL A-League	3rd, Pacific	Conference Semifinals	3rd Round	2,243
2000	USL A-League	1st, Pacific	Conference Semifinals	2nd Round	2,143
2001	USL A-League	5th, Western	Did not qualify	2nd Round	1,885
2002	USL A-League	1st, Pacific	Conference Semifinals	3rd Round	4,087
2003	USL A-League	1st, Pacific	Conference Finals	Quarterfinals	3,357
2004	USL A-League	4th, Western	Final	Did not qualify	2,874
2005 United Soccer Leagues 2005 -General:* A-League renamed USL First Division.* Pro Soccer League renamed USL Second Division.* The newly renamed top two divisions each become single table....	USL First Division	4th	Champion	3rd Round	2,885
2006 United Soccer Leagues 2006 -General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League ....	USL First Division	7th	Did not qualify	3rd Round	3,693
2007 United Soccer Leagues 2007 The 2007 Season is the 21st edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 13 when the 2006 league runners-up Rochester Raging Rhinos traveled to the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon to take on the Puerto Rico Islanders.-General:* Two new teams join the...	USL First Division	1st	Champion	Semifinals	3,396
2008 United Soccer Leagues 2008 The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...	USL First Division	5th	Quarterfinals	Semifinals	3,386

Team Honors

League Championship

Winner (4): 1995, 1996, 2005, 2007
Runner Up (1): 2004

Commissioner's Cup (Top of the Regular Season Table)

Winner (3): 1994, 2002, 2007

Pacific Division Champion

Winner (3): 2000, 2002, 2003
Runner Up (2): 1997, 1998

Western Conference Champion

Winner (1): 2004

Cascadia Cup
Cascadia Cup
The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...

Winner (2): 2006, 2007

Individual Player Honors

MVP

1995 Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup is a retired U.S. soccer player and current youth soccer coach.-Youth and college:Hattrup was a four-year starter as a star player for the Seattle Preparatory School boys' soccer team. He graduated in 1982 and entered Seattle Pacific University.Hattrup was a scoring sensation for...
1998 Mark Baena
Mark Baena
Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals...
2002 Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women....

Leading scorer

1995 Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup is a retired U.S. soccer player and current youth soccer coach.-Youth and college:Hattrup was a four-year starter as a star player for the Seattle Preparatory School boys' soccer team. He graduated in 1982 and entered Seattle Pacific University.Hattrup was a scoring sensation for...
1998 Mark Baena
Mark Baena
Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals...
1999 Niall Thompson
Niall Thompson
Niall Joseph Thompson is an English-born Canadian footballer, who works currently as Assistant coach of Surrey United Firefighters.-Club career :...
2006 Cam Weaver
Cam Weaver
William Cameron "Cam" Weaver is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.-High School and College:...

Goalkeeper of the Year

1994 Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Stephen Hahnemann is an American international soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Everton.Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 and 1999 he turned out for the Colorado Rapids, signing with English club...
1995 Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Stephen Hahnemann is an American international soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Everton.Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 and 1999 he turned out for the Colorado Rapids, signing with English club...
1997 Dusty Hudock
Dusty Hudock
Dustin "Dusty" Hudock is an American soccer player, Retired.-Youth and College:Hudock grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, attended Deer Valley High School, and played club soccer for a local team called Arsenal...

Defender of the Year

2005 Taylor Graham
Taylor Graham
Taylor Graham is an American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

Coach of the Year

1994 Alan Hinton
Alan Hinton
Alan Thomas Hinton is an English former footballer who most notably played for Derby County and Nottingham Forest in the 1960s...
2000 Neil Megson
Neil Megson (soccer)
Neil Megson is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches youth soccer. He played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, nine in Major Indoor Soccer League, one in the Continental Indoor Soccer League and six in the USL First Division and its predecessors...
2002 Brian Schmetzer
Brian Schmetzer
Brian Schmetzer is a retired U.S. soccer player who played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League and Western Soccer League. He coached the Seattle Sounders in the USL First Division for seven seasons, winning two championships. He was the 2002 USL-1 Coach of the Year...

Rookie of the Year

1994 Jason Dunn
Jason Dunn (soccer)
Jason Dunn is a retired American soccer forward. He was the 1994 American Professional Soccer League and the 1996-1997 National Professional Soccer League Rookies of the Year. He also earned three caps with the U.S. national team in 1994...
2000 Greg Howes
Greg Howes
Greg Howes is an American soccer player, currently player-coach for Tacoma Tide in the USL Premier Development League.-Career:...
2006 Cam Weaver
Cam Weaver
William Cameron "Cam" Weaver is an American soccer player who plays as a forward for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.-High School and College:...

First team All Star

1994 Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Stephen Hahnemann is an American international soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Everton.Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 and 1999 he turned out for the Colorado Rapids, signing with English club...

, Neil Megson
Neil Megson (soccer)
Neil Megson is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder who currently coaches youth soccer. He played two seasons in the North American Soccer League, nine in Major Indoor Soccer League, one in the Continental Indoor Soccer League and six in the USL First Division and its predecessors...

, Shawn Medved
Shawn Medved
Shawn Medved is a retired American soccer forward and midfielder. He coaches youth soccer.-Youth:Medved was born and grew up in Issaquah, Washington. His father, Ron Medved, was a noted American football player for the University of Washington and Philadelphia Eagles. Despite his father's success...

, Chance Fry
Chance Fry
Chance Fry is a retired U.S. soccer forward who began his career straight out of high school with the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League. With the collapse of the NASL, he moved to indoor soccer as well as U.S. minor leagues. Since retiring from playing, Fry has become a college...
1995 Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Hahnemann
Marcus Stephen Hahnemann is an American international soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Everton.Graduating out of Seattle Pacific University, he played for the Seattle Sounders between 1994 and 1996. Between 1997 and 1999 he turned out for the Colorado Rapids, signing with English club...

, Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup
Peter Hattrup is a retired U.S. soccer player and current youth soccer coach.-Youth and college:Hattrup was a four-year starter as a star player for the Seattle Preparatory School boys' soccer team. He graduated in 1982 and entered Seattle Pacific University.Hattrup was a scoring sensation for...
1996 Wade Webber
Wade Webber
Wade Webber is a retired U.S. soccer defender who spent most of his career with clubs in the Pacific Northwest. However, he did see three years in Major League Soccer with the Dallas Burn and Miami Fusion before suffering a career ending knee injury...
1997 Dusty Hudock
Dusty Hudock
Dustin "Dusty" Hudock is an American soccer player, Retired.-Youth and College:Hudock grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, attended Deer Valley High School, and played club soccer for a local team called Arsenal...

, Mark Watson
1998 Mark Baena
Mark Baena
Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals...
1999 Mark Baena
Mark Baena
Mark Baena is a retired American soccer player. Baena is the highest goalscorer in the history of USL First Division, where he amassed eighty-six goals...
2000 Darren Sawatzky
Darren Sawatzky
Darren Sawatzky was a U.S. soccer player who spent four seasons in Major League Soccer. He also played one season in Major Indoor Soccer League, one in USISL and five in the United Soccer Leagues...
2001 Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women....
2002 Andrew Gregor
Andrew Gregor
Andrew Gregor is a retired American soccer midfielder who played professionally in Major League Soccer, the USL First Division, the USL Premier Development League and Major Indoor Soccer League....

, Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien
Leighton O'Brien is an American soccer player, currently serving as the Director of Coaching for the Renton Football Club for youth since 2006 and the head coach of the Seattle Sounders Women....

, Brian Ching
Brian Ching
Brian Ching is an American professional soccer forward currently playing for the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
2003 Danny Jackson
Danny Jackson (soccer)
Danny Jackson is an English central defender/sweeper who last played for the Seattle Sounders, and served as captain from 2004-2008.-Youth:In England, Jackson began playing football through the Leeds United Youth Program...

, Andrew Gregor
Andrew Gregor
Andrew Gregor is a retired American soccer midfielder who played professionally in Major League Soccer, the USL First Division, the USL Premier Development League and Major Indoor Soccer League....
2005 Taylor Graham
Taylor Graham
Taylor Graham is an American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...
2008 Taylor Graham
Taylor Graham
Taylor Graham is an American soccer player who last played for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

Head coaches

Alan Hinton

Alan Thomas Hinton is an English former footballer who most notably played for Derby County and Nottingham Forest in the 1960s...

(1994–1995) Neil Megson

Neil Megson (soccer)

(1996–2000) Bernie James

Bernie James

Bernie James is a former U.S. soccer player and current youth soccer coach. James spent twenty-four years as a professional, both beginning and ending his career with different versions of the Seattle Sounders. He played in the North American Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, American...

(2001) Brian Schmetzer

Brian Schmetzer

(2002–2008)

Stadiums

Qwest Field (formerly Seahawks Stadium and now CenturyLink Field); Seattle, Washington (2003–2007)
Starfire Sports Complex
Starfire Sports Complex
Starfire Sports Complex is a sporting facility in Tukwila, Washington, on the banks of the Green River, near Seattle. It is operated by the non-profit corporation Starfire Sports. At the time of its opening, CEO Chris Slatt believed it to be "the largest synthetic-turf soccer complex in the...

; Tukwila, Washington
Tukwila, Washington
Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...

(2005–2006 occasional games, 2008 entire season)

The Sounders had played at Qwest Field full-time since 2003. The Sounders played the first-ever sporting event at the stadium on July 28, 2002 before 25,515 fans. Before this facility was built, the team played at Memorial Stadium

Memorial Stadium (Seattle)

The Memorial Stadium in Seattle, Washington, is located in the northeast corner of the Seattle Center grounds. The stadium currently seats approximately 12,000 people. This was expanded to 17,000, during 1974-75, while the Seattle Sounders, of the North American Soccer League, played at Memorial...

. When the second generation Sounders first formed in 1994, they also played a few home matches at the Tacoma Dome

Tacoma Dome

The Tacoma Dome is an indoor arena located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, approximately 30 miles south of Seattle.-History:...

. After opening the 2008 season May 10 at Qwest Field, the Sounders played their remaining 14 league home contests at Starfire Sports Complex

Starfire Sports Complex

Rival clubs

The Seattle Sounders had two bitter rivals – the Portland Timbers to the south and the Vancouver Whitecaps to the north. These three teams competed in the yearly Cascadia Cup

Cascadia Cup

The Cascadia Cup is the name of the trophy created in 2004 by supporters of the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which is awarded each season to the best soccer team in the Pacific Northwest. The Timbers, Sounders, and Whitecaps have roots dating to the days of the...

, which is now contested by the teams' MLS successors. The Sounders won the trophy in 2006 and 2007.

Supporters

The original Seattle Sounders were supported by the Seattle Sounders Booster Club in the 1970s and early 1980s. When the second club was formed in 1994, another supporters group started called "The Pod", honoring the club's Orca whale mascot. In 2005, after the earlier group went moribund, the Emerald City Supporters

Emerald City Supporters

Emerald City Supporters is an independent supporters' group for Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders FC.-History and name:Emerald City Supporters was founded in 2005 by the supporters of the now defunct Seattle Sounders soccer team that played in the United Soccer Leagues First Division...

were born. They drafted the motto No Equal that same season as the club won the USL-1 title. In 2007, a social group called the Sounders Legion was started.

External links

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