WHEREAS, Seattle Sounders FC has completed its historic inaugural
season by setting an unprecedented new MLS record for average per game
attendance at 30,943, and selling the most season tickets in the
league; and
WHEREAS, Sounders FC has reached the top 50 in average attendance
for all soccer clubs throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The team's majority owner Joe Roth, its minority owners,
Adrian Hanauer, Paul Allen, and Drew Carey, together with Gary Wright,
senior vice president of business operations, and his administrative
staff have assembled a talented coaching staff led by two-time MLS Cup
winner and all-time winningest coach Sigi Schmid, and assistants Brian
Schmetzer, Tom Dutra, Ezra Hendrickson, Kurt Schmid, David Tenney, and
technical director Chris Henderson; and
WHEREAS, Washington's very own Kasey Keller is the team captain,
and team members include: Freddie Ljungberg, Chris Eylander, Brad
Evans, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, Osvaldo Alonso, James Riley, Peter
Vagenas, Steve Zakuani, Nathan Sturgis, Tyrone Marshall, Stephen King,
Leonardo González, Zach Scott, Sanna Nyassi, Roger Levesque, Taylor
Graham, Terry Boss, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and leading goal scorer Fredy
Montero; and
WHEREAS, Sounders FC brought pride to Washington state by finishing
the 2009 season with a winning record, becoming the first team since
1998 to qualify for the MLS playoffs in its first season, and being
only the second expansion team in MLS history to win the U.S. Open Cup
tournament in its first season, qualifying for the 2010-11 CONCACAF
Champions League; and
WHEREAS, Kasey Keller, Freddie Ljungberg, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and
Fredy Montero represented Sounders FC on the MLS All-Star team; and
WHEREAS, Kasey Keller was named the U.S. Open Cup MVP, Fredy
Montero was named MLS Newcomer of the Year, and Sounders FC won eight
individual and club MLS executive awards; and
WHEREAS, The team has become a pillar of the community by setting
an MLS record in raising more than 23,000 dollars for the "Nothing But
Nets" program, while players, coaches, and owners made more than 80
community appearances during the season and have contributed funds to
youth-oriented community projects and activities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state Senate
honor Seattle Sounders FC for its triumphant and record-breaking season
and for bringing exciting, world class professional soccer to all
Washington state citizens; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be
immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Sounders FC
ownership, coaches, and players.