2.25.2009

Sounders Article

Seattle embraces Sounders FC

Seattle Times staff columnist

Go ahead, try to sell a new professional soccer franchise in this economy. Try to encourage people to buy tickets when they're only buying the bare necessities.

Try to sell a Major League Soccer game in a city that couldn't hold on to its basketball franchise, in a country that has been reluctant to embrace the sport.

Not that long ago, Sounders FC seemed like an impossible dream. The notion that this city could give its heart and its dollars to a team before it even played a game seemed preposterous. The thought that Seattle could love a team before it knew the roster was absurd.

But the impossible is happening here. Before its first kickoff, Sounders FC is a success.

Some time today this fledgling franchise will announce that, three weeks before the opening game against the New York Red Bulls, it has sold more than 20,000 season tickets.

"It's an indescribable feeling," said Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid, who has been in the league since 1999.

"Having been around the sport in this country for a long time, to see a foothold like this for the sport of soccer in this community is just absolutely phenomenal. Without playing a game we've been embraced by this community."

Fans are buying tickets on spec, believing in the game and trusting the Sounders FC bosses. They are buying tickets for the game even before they know most of the names.

"Some are soccer fans who are starved to see soccer at this level in their community and are maybe less concerned with the names," said Schmid, before leaving with his team for a week-and-a-half of training in Argentina. "I mean there really weren't any names until three or four weeks ago.

"But these are people who want to be involved at the beginning of something as well. To be involved in something at the outset is always exciting, and it's our challenge now to make sure those people want to come back, game after game and year after year."

Sounders FC has been a marketing marvel. Its leaders have done almost everything correctly, from admitting their mistake and listening to the fans who wanted Sounders included in the team's name, to bringing Kasey Keller home to be their keeper, to signing Schmid, who has won two MLS championships and has been coaching in this country since 1980.

The team has tapped into a fan base that wanted big-time soccer to return here since the North American Soccer League folded more than two decades ago.

Sounders FC has rewarded a fan base that has filled Qwest for summertime friendlies involving storied sides like Chelsea and Real Madrid, and international teams like Brazil and Mexico.

Twenty-thousand season tickets.

It's good news for the team and good news for the town. It is an indication of the passion the city feels for the sport.

Last season, the Los Angeles Galaxy had the league's best attendance, averaging 26,050. The only other team to average more than 20,000 was Toronto. The MLS's unofficial average was 16,310.

And considering the 20,000 who have signed on to this first season with Sounders FC probably are the city's hard-core soccer fans, imagine the franchise's growth potential.

"I think if we can convince another 10 or 15,000 to come to our games, we're not only going to be a success story for soccer in the U.S.," Schmid said, "I think we'll establish some benchmarks for any sport. But the main thing for me right now is that when we walk out on that field on March 19, there is going to be a caldron of noise.

"It's going to be like no other venue in the league. The thing I'm excited about right now is being able to take our team into that stadium and feel that emotion and feel that fever that is going through the stands. It's going to be a tremendous day."

A day that beat the odds. The first day in a long life for MLS in Seattle. A day to celebrate.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or skelley@seattletimes.com

2.23.2009

Weekend Recap

It's Monday again.... not sure how that happens so dang fast, but it did.

Saturday I made potato-leek-ham soup.... yummm. We hung out at the pier and went to Sara Meagher's B-day Party. It was great seeing everyone at the party. Syd is such a social bug! She especially liked Sophie the cat ;)

Sunday Chris & Syd went to the Children's museum and caught the Curious George exhibit and painted a couple things. My mom and I went to see Lion King at the Paramount. It was fantastic.... we're a little sleepy today, but it was worth it ;)

Oh & Chris took a couple pictures of my baby bump. I'll get some more soon... I'm sure this is just the beginning.

Checking out Sea Life


The Olympics




It was a bit sunny...


Almost ready to go to Sara's party


Practicing winking...


Baby bump @ 22 Weeks


It's getting there...

2.18.2009

First Project for Miles

I finished the onesie for Miles last night. It's not perfect, but I'm happy with it. I've learned a lot about stitching and will be able to improve on the next one. Here are some pics:

The Sketch


Finished Onesie


Close Up

2.16.2009

Kicking Baby

It's official.... We can feel Miles moving around in my tummy. I felt him a bit on Saturday and then on Sunday I got two big kicks. I put Chris' hand on my belly and he gave him another big kick :) I'm so glad Chris was able to feel him so soon. I'm shocked how it can go from one day not feeling a thing to the next being able to feel him even on the outside. I think he's working out in there today. He's like a little kickboxer. Crazy kids these days.

2.13.2009

Mid-Feb Updates

1. The embroidery is coming along GREAT! Hopefully after this weekend I'll have pics of my first finished project.

2. The baby leggings are taking forever, but they're at least progressing and the yarn continues to be wonderful. I forgot that knitting with tiny needles and tiny yarn makes for slow projects.

3. Tomorrow my mom, Debbie and I are going to see Memphis at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Very excited about the show.

4. Pregnancy is past the mid-way mark and I'm feeling great. Pants are a bit tight, but that's to be expected. I think I may have felt a little tap tap yesterday at lunch, but it was so small I'm not positive. I'm sure he'll make his presence known very soon.
Cravings: Kiwi's and Indian Butter Chicken

5. We're #18 on the list for the Belltown P-Patch. We've been on the list for over a year and a half.

That's all for today. Hope you have a great weekend!!

2.09.2009

A Great Catch

Lucky you! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done sometime in 2009.

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a knit gift, an embroidered gift, a stamped card, a homebaked gift.... Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

So....who will be the first 5 people?????

Mid-Way Scan

We had our 20 week scan last Friday. We got our Quad Test results back and all is in the clear. I invited my mom to our hour long Ultrasound and it was a pleasure having her there. Our U/S Tech is amazing and very informative. We saw that Miles has quite large feet but thankfully I have an anterior placenta which is keeping him from kicking the crap out of me (for now anyway). My favorite part was checking out the brain and his heart. It was surprising how detailed the imaging is for such a little guy.


Profile: Head & Body


Spooky Face



The Determining Factor



Mr. Bigfoot

Latest Hobby

I mentioned earlier that I wanted to start embroidering. Well, I picked up some tools this weekend and have started on my latest hobby. The first things I've noticed are: It's much MUCH less expensive than knitting, the results are virtually immediate, and the range of possibilities are endless. I swung by Nancy's Sewing Basket on Queen Anne to get a hoop, some notions and embroidery floss. I have a whole box of floss somewhere in storage from my friendship bracelet making days, but I'm too lazy to dig to the back and find it... Especially when floss costs about 60 cents each. I'm waiting on a shipment for smaller hoops since the 7" isn't going to work for onesies, but I have a canvas I may work on in the meantime.

I have a beginners book called "Doodle Stitching" by Aimee Ray. I like that she encourages using your own designs and doodles for your projects.


These are a couple of her designs.... I'll post pics of mine when I get a couple completed.


2.03.2009

Back on the Needles

I finally have a new knitting project going. I've decided to knit some baby leggings for Miles. They're good for layering and whatnot. Here's the beginning:


Sarah's comment reminded me that I didn't mention the yarn I'm using here. It's oh so lovely. It's by Hazel Knits out of Seattle. It's their artisan sock yarn in the Olympic Rainforest colorway. It has been a joy to knit with.