Sounders, Red Bulls herald new local soccer era tonight at Qwest

• MLS opener: New York at Seattle, 6 p.m. ESPN2
First, there were the original Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League.

Then came their demise, their fade to fond memories, and the dream of returning this country’s highest level of soccer to the Puget Sound region.

After several disappointments, the breakthrough came in November 2007 when Major League Soccer announced that it would award its 15th franchise to Seattle.

Then, the pace quickened: the colors, the crest, the jersey sponsor, the first trickle of signings, the broadcast deals, the expansion draft, the SuperDraft, the first practices, the first friendlies.

All of that was prelude to tonight, when Seattle Sounders FC takes the pitch for its first game, meeting the New York Red Bulls before a sellout crowd of 32,400 at Qwest Field and a national television audience.

“It will be a very proud moment – probably somewhat emotional,” said Adrian Hanauer, who attended Seattle’s first NASL game as a child, owned the USL first-division Sounders and is general manager and minority owner of Sounders FC. “… My pride is about the city. I’m a Seattle guy, and to have this back in Seattle, to have the same vibe back in this city as it was in the ’70s when I was growing up, that’s just a dream come true for me.”

Those emotional pregame festivities will be followed by 90 minutes of soccer, and how that turns out is anybody’s guess.

The first MLS expansion team – the Chicago Fire – won the league championship in its first season. The second – the Miami Fusion – made the playoffs.

Since then, MLS has birthed its expansion franchises like a snake: bringing the newcomers into the world and then leaving them to fend for themselves in a coldly competitive environment. The past four expansion teams – Salt Lake, Chivas USA, Toronto and San Jose – combined for 23 wins, 74 losses and 28 draws in their inaugural seasons.

Which fate awaits the Sounders?

“Historically, expansion teams haven’t done great,” said Alan Hinton, who coached the NASL Sounders, the indoor Tacoma Stars and helped return the lower-level Sounders to the region in 1994. “But I think this year could be very, very different because I think the club’s been working very, very hard building this program, and it seems to be very well-positioned right now for success. And, of course, (coach Sigi Schmid is someone) the players like very much, and I think he’s going to get the best out of them.

Schmid has led two teams – Los Angeles and Columbus – to the MLS Cup championship. His jump from the 2008 MLS-champion Crew to the 2009 Sounders is just one way this appears to be no ordinary expansion team.

Off the field, these Sounders have a $20 million jersey sponsorship deal with Microsoft and Xbox 360, and a season-ticket base of more than 20,000. That gives them the resources to dream big.

On the field, they brought in former English Premier League and U.S. national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, and signed Arsenal and Swedish national team star Freddy Ljunberg as their designated player. International signees Fredy Montero of Colombia and Sanna Nyassi of Gambia have been meshed with home-grown talent graduated from the USL Sounders, such as former Division One MVP Sebastien Le Toux, defender Taylor Graham and reserve goalkeeper Chris Eylander. They picked up veteran talent from the MLS expansion draft and young talent from the SuperDraft, including top overall pick Steve Zakuani, a forward from the University of Akron.

“Have some dreams and some goals,” advised Frank Yallop, who coached the expansion San Jose Earthquakes to an 8-13-9 record last season. “I think Seattle will be saying … ‘Let’s try and make the playoffs.’ Why not? And it could be a reality if you get off to a good start. They’ve already got some pieces in place that are good: good goalkeeper, good forward in Nate Jaqua, Ljungberg at forward or midfielder, and Le Toux has been a good player for Seattle over the years. They’ve done a nice job of balancing the team from the expansion draft and then adding to it. I think they’re going to be decent; I do.”

On top of that, the Sounders hope to benefit from what is already one of the largest fan bases in MLS.

“I’m expecting a lot of noise, a lot of passion” Schmid said. “… We really want to make this a difficult place to play at, just like it is in the NFL. We want to make this a difficult place in the MLS now. We want to make this a place that teams dread to come in because there is just a passion, the atmosphere and the support that’s generated by our fans.”

That seems likely, considering how long they have waited.

Don Ruiz, 253-597-8808

blogs.thenewstribune.com/soccer

18 KASEY KELLER

GOALKEEPER

Age: 39

Hometown: Lacey

Height/weight: 6-2/190

Career highlights: Played 16 years in Europe’s top-flight leagues (English Premier, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga). Named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year three times (1997, 1999, 2005).

Did you know? Kasey grew up on an egg farm.

1 CHRIS EYLANDER

GOALKEEPER

Age: 25

Hometown: Auburn

Height/weight: 6-1/185

Career highlights: Played three years with Sounders in the USL, leading the league in saves twice (2007-08). Started 39 games his last two years for UW. Ranks fifth in UW history in goals-against average (1.11)

Did you know? He was the state Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Auburn Riverside in 2002.

22 ben dragavon

GOALKEEPER

Age: 25

Hometown: Monroe

Height/weight: 6-1/195

Career highlights: Played with the Sounders from 2006-08. Played four years at Western Washington after graduating from Monroe High in 2002.

Did you know? He will be active tonight because of a knee injury to backup Chris Eylander.

9 Sebastien le toux

FORWARD

Age: 25

Hometown: Rennes, France

Height/weight: 6-0/165

Career highlights: One of the USL’s top scorers the last two seasons. In 2008, he was No. 2 in total points with 32 (14 goals) and in 2007, he was the league MVP, leading the USL with 24 points.

Did you know? He was the first player signed by the Sounders (May 8, 2008).

24 roger levesque

FORWARD

Age: 28

Hometown: Portland, Maine

Height/weight: 6-2/174

Career highlights: USL Sounders veteran (2004-08). Also played with San Jose (one game in 2005, three in 2007). Ranks among Sounders leaders with 27 goals (fifth), 16 assists (seventh) and games (130).

Did you know? Was a two-time All-America at Stanford (2001-02) and twice named Maine state player of the year in high school.

21 nate jacqua

FORWARD

Age: 27

Hometown: Eugene, Ore.

Height/weight: 6-4/205

Career highlights: Played in MSL since 2003 with the Dynamo, Galaxy and Fire. In those six seasons, he’s scored 32 goals and has 17 assists, the most of anyone on the roster.

Did you know? Has made three appearances with the U.S. national team.

17 FREDY MONTERO

FORWARD

Age: 21

Hometown: Camp de la Cruz, Colombia

Height/weight: 5-9/162

Career highlights: Two-time winner of Colombia’s Golden Boot for leading the first division in scoring (2007-08). Scored 16 goals in 22 games with Deportivo Cali last season.

Did you know? His full name is Fredy Henkyer Montero Munoz.

11 steve zakuani

FORWARD

Age: 21

Hometown: London

Height/weight: 6-0/160

Career highlights: Taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft. … In 2008 with Akron, led NCAA Division I in scoring with 20 goals and 47 points in 23 games. Was Soccer America’s 2008 player of the year.

Did you know? Was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

37 kevin forrest

FORWARD

Age: 24

Hometown: Edmonds

Height/weight: 5-11/175

Career highlights: Was taken with the No. 3 pick by Colorado in the 2008 supplemental draft, and appeared in reserve division game. Played in nine games with the Sounders in 2008.

Did you know? He was the 2006 Pacific-10 Conference player of the year at UW, and his father, Ward, played at UW (1972-75).

3 brad evans

MIDFIELDER

Age: 23

Hometown: Phoenix

Height/weight: 6-1/170

Career highlights: Two-year veteran of MSL with the Crew. Started 18 games last season. Four of his six goals in 2008 were game-winners, including one in playoffs.

Did you know? Set the school record for most goals (31) at UC Irvine.

6 osvaldo alonso

MIDFIELDER

Age: 23

Hometown: San Cristobal, Cuba

Height/weight: 5-11/165

Career highlights: In 2008, was the rookie of the year and an all-USL first division pick for Charleston. … From 2005-07, played for FC Pinar del Rio in Cuba.

Did you know? Alonso and several teammates defected from Cuba while playing in a 2007 Gold Cup game in Houston.

15 STEPHEN KING

MIDFIELDER

Age: 23

Hometown: Medford, N.J.

Height/weight: 5-8/153

Career highlights: Played for Chicago in his only MLS season, playing in 20 games (eight starts). Had two goals – one a game-winner vs. New York – and one assist.

Did you know? In college, led Maryland to the 2005 NCAA title. He’s also the school’s all-time leader in games started (93).

10 freddie ljungberg

MIDFIELDER

Age: 31

Hometown: Vittsjo, Sweden

Height/weight: 5-9/162

Career highlights: Played in England with Arsenal (1998-2007) and West Ham United (2007-08). Had 72 goals in 328 matches with Arsenal.

Did you know? Has modeled Calvin Klein underwear and was named Sweden’s 2002 best-dressed man.

23 SANNA NYASSI

MIDFIELDER

Age: 20

Hometown: Bwiam, Gambia

Height/weight: 5-8/145

Career highlights: Played six games (one start) with Sounders in 2008 and recorded two assists. Played for the U-17 and U-20 Gambia national teams.

Did you know? His twin, Sainey, plays for the New England Revolution.

8 peter vagenas

MIDFIELDER

Age: 31

Hometown: Pasadena, Calif.

Height/weight: 5-8/187

Career highlights: Nine-year MLS veteran with the Galaxy (2000-08). Started 163 of 183 games. Played on 2004 U.S. Olympic team that finished fourth in Sydney.

Did you know? Played four years at UCLA – three under now-Sounders coach Sigi Schmid.

12 NATHAN STURGIS

MIDFIELDER

Age: 21

Hometown: St. Augustine, Fla.

Height/weight: 5-10/150

Career highlights: Played three seasons in MLS with Los Angeles (2006-07) and Real Salt Lake (2007-08). Left hamstring injury limited him to three games last season.

Did you know? He was the 2002 Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year as a sophomore at Clemson.

30 ELY ALLEN

MIDFIELDER

Age: 22

Hometown: Kent

Height/weight: 5-11/165

Career highlights: As a rookie in 2008, recorded a goal and an assist for Los Angeles while starting 11 of 12 games. Was a second-round pick (23 overall) by the Galaxy.

Did you know? Allen played four years (26 career goals) for UW and was the Pac-10 co-player of the year in 2007.

4 PATRICK IANNI

DEFENDER

Age: 23

Hometown: Lodi, Calif.

Height/weight: 6-1/175

Career highlights: Three-year veteran of MLS, with the Dynamo. Was the No. 8 overall pick by Houston in 2008. Played on U.S. Olympic team in 2008.

Did you know? He played on the U-14, U-16, U-18, U-20 and U-23 U.S. national teams.

16 EVAN BROWN

DEFENDER

Age: 21

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

Height/weight: 5-11/165

Career highlights: Taken with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2009 draft. Played four years for Wake Forest, helping the Demon Deacons win the 2007 NCAA title.

Did you know? Is one of six Wake Forest players to be drafted in 2009.

26 TAYLOR GRAHAM

DEFENDER

Age: 28

Hometown: Fair Oaks, Calif.

Height/weight: 6-4/190

Career highlights: Played 34 games in the MLS with Kansas City (2003-04) and New York (2006-07). Played three seasons with Sounders (2005, 2007, 2008).

Did you know? Began college career as a walk-on at Stanford and was the captain as a senior.

34 JHON HURTADO

DEFENDER

Age: 24

Hometown: Palmira, Colombia

Height/weight: 6-0/183

Career highlights: Has played 121 matches at the first and second division levels in Colombia since 2004. Had trial with AC Milan this year.

Did you know? He was a teammate of Sounders’ Fredy Montero in 2008 while playing for Deportivo Cali.

14 tyrone marshall

DEFENDER

Age: 34

Hometown: Lauderhill, Fla.

Height/weight: 6-2/195

Career highlights: Has played for Toronto (2007-08), Los Angeles (2002-07), Miami (1998-2001) and Colorado (1998). In 248 games (221 starts) has recorded 13 goals and 17 assists.

Did you know? Has made 59 appearances for the Jamaican national team since 2000.

13 jarrod Smith

FORWARD

Age: 24

Hometown: Havelock North, New Zealand

Height/weight: 6-1/180

Career highlights: Played 20 games (six starts) with Toronto FC in 2008 after being the overall No. 1 pick in the 2007 supplemental draft. Member of the New Zealand national team.

Did you know? His father, Ian, is a famous New Zealand cricket player and now a broadcast analyst.

7 james riley

defender

Age: 26

Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Height/weight: 5-10/150

Career highlights: Has played in 94 MLS games, starting 77 for New England (2005-07) and San Jose (2008). Has one goal and five assists in his career.

Did you know? He is nicknamed “Giggles” or “Gigs” by his teammates.

20 zach scott

defender

Age: 28

Hometown: Haiku, Hawaii

Height/weight: 5-11/175

Career highlights: Played seven seasons with USL Sounders (2002-07), totaling 139 games. Key member of Sounders championship teams in 2005 and 2007.

Did you know? Of his eight career goals, two were game-winners.

5 tyson wahl

defender

Age: 25

Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.

Height/weight: 6-2/185

Career highlights: Has 26 starts in three seasons with Kansas City, making 16 of them last season. Also started both of the team’s playoff games.

Did you know? An All-America pick at Cal, he started every game during his four-year career at the school. SOUNDERS FC GAMEDAY

NEW YORK RED BULLS At SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC, 6 p.m., Qwest Field

TV: ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes

Radio: 97.3-FM and 1210-AM (Spanish)

Coach Sigi Schmid scouts the Red Bulls: “They’ve added some speed to their team with (former Sounder Khano Smith). … They’ve added Dominic Oduro, (midfielder Dane) Richards was injured a lot last year. They’re a team that’s built around def-ending and counter-attacking. They’ve got a prolific goal-scorer in Juan Pablo Angel and they have a lot of speed on the outsides. They’re trying to make things happen through that and getting forward quickly and trying to get one-on-one situations on the flanks and feeding the ball to Juan Pablo and having (Jorge) Rojas or somebody playing off of him … so it’s almost more like a 4-5-1 that they play. But we have to contend with their speed, we have to contend with Juan Pablo, and the best way to stop him is to make sure that he doesn’t get service.”

Notes: Sounders FC seeks to become the first expansion team to win its opening game since 1998, when Chicago defeated fellow first-year franchise Miami, 2-0. … Sounders FC played 11 preseason exhibitions and training games against a mixture of amateur, collegiate and professional opposition, going 7-3-1 and 1-2-0 vs. MLS opposition. Seattle scored 30 goals, but was shut out in its final two games. Forward Fredy Montero scored 10 goals, and forward Nate Jaqua totaled six goals and four assists. Sebastien Le Toux led Sounders FC with five assists. Defensively, Seattle conceded 10 goals and recorded three shutouts. … Designated player Freddy Ljungberg missed all preseason friendlies recovering from a hip injury. His status for tonight is undetermined. … At 4:30 p.m., fans are invited to join members of the ownership group, the Sound Wave marching band, and Sounders FC Alliance in the “March to the Match,” starting at Occidental Park at the corner of Main Street and Occidental Avenue at Pioneer Square.

Next: 7:30 p.m. March 28, vs. Real Salt Lake, Qwest Field.

Don Ruiz, The News Tribune FOR STARTERS Here’s how the six previous MLS expansion teams have performed in their first season

 • Chicago Fire (1998): Second in the Western Conference (20-12, 56 points); captured the MLS Cup title.

 • Miami Fusion (1998): Fourth in the Eastern Conference (15-17, 35); eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

 • Real Salt Lake (2005): Fifth in the Western Conference (5-22-6, 20); did not make the playoffs.

 • Chivas USA (2005): Sixth place in the Western Conference and last overall (4-22-6, 18); did not make the playoffs.

 • Toronto FC (2007): Seventh place in the Eastern Conference and last overall (6-17-7, 25); did not make the playoffs.

 • San Jose Earthquakes (2008): Tied for sixth place with the L.A. Galaxy in the Western Conference (8-13-9, 33); did not make the playoffs.

Source: MLSnet.com