Sounders
November 28, 2007 — dannyjacksonWhat a fantastic few weeks for soccer in the NW, and Seattle specifically. As the captain of the current Sounders, it is wonderful that the team will be back next year to defend our title. We have a fantastic team, full of good players and good people, and this team spirit was the main element that provided the success we all worked so hard for. The news that has been brewing for a number of years, has now actually come true, with the announcement that Seattle will host a Major League Soccer franchise. This is fantastic news for the development of soccer in the nation as a whole, and especially for this area. I know the team will work tirelessly to retain the title next year, and end the Sounders current history of soccer in Seattle on a great high. We all hope to see the right send off, bringing some old players back, and truly celebrating both the history and the future of soccer in Seattle.
There are many questions that will arise over the next 12 months. Who will be the coach? Who will play for the team? What will be the name of the new team? The answers will be uncovered in due course, but as a player, I hope 2009 does not overshadow the prospects for 2008……
November 30, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Glad you’re back for 2008 season. 2007 was a terrific season and what a great way to finish: Champions! I’ll be at Qwest/Starfire for 2008 and I look forward to another exciting year.
I’ve been a “Sounders” fan since ‘74 and I hope the “Sounders” tradition continues in the MLS. Coming from Leeds, you know how important tradition is to football fans and supporters as well as the players. I grew up cheering for “Gentleman” John Charles, one of Leeds’ and football’s all-time greats, although Spurs was always my favorite in England…still is. But living in the Puget Sound area for over 50 years, my heart bleeds “Sounders.”
Good luck this season. The team is so fortunate to have your leadership.
December 1, 2007 at 1:29 am
Thanks for your thoughts and feedback. The Sounders is a great organization, and Seattle is a fantastic place to live… proof is the number of great players who play here who choose to live here. We are lucky in regards to that we all get along, and we all enjoy playing with each other. I hope that shows on the field. John Charles was a great player, and truly opened the door for British players to play abroad.
The questions now is who will be the next great British export abroad?
There is a belief that English players need to play abroad to develop their game, and improve the state of the national team. But the Premier league is the most exciting and most financially lucrative league in the world, so why would they move?
December 4, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I wouuld like to see the concentration in England be on developing the domestic scene and not worry about the few who may go abroad. Certainly, experience in Italy or Spain or Germany is valuable for a England national team player. But I think England would be better served if the FA spent more on the schoolboy/youth development and academy systems in England.
Obviously, the prodigies (like Rooney) will be easily spotted and moved into the spotlight, but the real success of a national team effort lies in “depth.” I swear the Brasilians and the Argentines have such quality depth that they could field 3, maybe 4, national squads with little noticeable loss in quality. That’s the depth that once was England but is no more. And that’s the depth that can only come from encouraging the game at the lowest levels, teaching the youngest to develop their skills, motivating them to express their creativity and individuality and yet keeping them connected to the “team.”
I think there is a great deal of room for the FA to improve the quality of schoolboy/youth football in England. And I think that goes double for us in the USA. But with leaders like you who epitomize the rewards of hard work, dedication, diligence to the craft, and commitment to personal and team improvement, the youth in the Puget Sound area have a real, tangible role model to emulate. I hope our youth are not blinded by the glitz of success, but focus on the satisfaction that comes through personal effort.