Good news. Sounder is a solid choice. Long live the write-in candidate!

Well, they are sticking to their word about democratic choices.

Well done, Seattle! I like FC as a forward-looking name, and think the inclusion of Sounders allows current-generation American fans to more easily swallow the team name. Bravo! Also, cool shield.

How many seats will Qwest Field make available (to non-Beckham games)?

Good for Seattle... although I feel like the FC could still get the axe and they'd do just fine. Why insist on FC if we don't call it football?

14,000! Nice.

Are the rumors true that, instead of tossing a bag of peanuts at you, stadium vendors will throw a fish your way?

They are the Seattle Sounders. How many will say the entire name? Many teams have the FC add-on.

I'm so glad that they didn't go with Seattle Republic or Alliance. Those were the worst suggested names I've ever heard. I thought they were setting themselves up to be either the Seattle Sounders or Seattle FC.

I'm glad they're keeping with their roots.

Congratulations to the grass roots soccer-name activists.

This reminds me of Anthony Williams' re-election campaign (without all that illegal signature stuff).

Well, since MLS went from 10 - 12 it's been solid. TFC, Return of the Quakes, The Sounders are up.

Bravo.

Philly - you're up. Set the bar high!

Wow...I know a lot of Seattle fans were pissed off becasue they thought Sounders was off the table. Good for them.

Do you know how many Season Ticket Holders DC United has??

Seattle Sounders FC
sounds good to me!

This is wonderful news that Seattle won't sound like an airport or a newspaper - Toronto can change back to the Metros-Croatia, and we can call Chivas the LA Aztecs anytime now.

Very cool! Its a name with some history that belongs to Seattle. I like it.

Next up: The Philly Cheesesteaks.

PHILADELPHIA LIBERTY

Their crest is pretty good too. I like the connection it has to the city. A much better attempt than the NY/NJ MetroStars did back in '96.

Credit to Seattle. They said this team would value fan input. Drew Carey went as far to say that the fans can vote out the GM, like Barcelona. If they ignored the fan support for the Sounders name they would have stumbled right out of the gate. Now they have some credibility to say they listen to their fans. That's a smart move when they already have 14,000 deposits for a team that won't play for a year.

If Philly comes out strong, which is really possible, then it looks like MLS keeps getting it right with expansion clubs.

Does anyone know how many season tickets San Jose has? I don't think MLS got it wrong by going back there. I lived there for 5 years and the local population will support soccer if there is quality on the field.

Great name - whenever a team with FC in its name plays at RFK, we get the famous Fruit Cup at the tailgate!

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but what happens to the USL Sounders? Are they just being "promoted" to MLS status? Are the owners the same? Who owns the rights to the name?

Qwest Field will seat 25,000 in the lower bowl for MLS games. To be honest, as playing in cavernous NFL stadiums goes, Qwest isn't too bad of a place to watch a game. I caught a Sounders-Timbers game there last summer and it was enjoyable.

Sanity reigns in the Pacific Northwest. Besides, if MLS really had any talent at marketing, wouldn't the league be a lot farther along by now?

As a byproduct of this, the USL team has had its name taken away. The relevant Wiki article, which has already been updated, says there may be a continued USL presence in the area, albeit presumably under a different name:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Sounders_%28USL%29

I wonder whether anyone on the current Sounders roster would be likely to get an offer to join Sounders 3.0, if they were given a tryout.

The cynic in me is stunned that the write-in choice won. But it's way better than any of the other choices.

Kudos to the ownership group for listening.

Ha! That's pretty awesome. I thought, however, that the entire issue here was that "Sounders" was a copyrighted name. Do they get around that by sticking "FC" on the end?

If so, I think I'm going to start an amateur club named DC United F.C. :-)

I want to know who were the morons that voted for Alliance and Repbublic

Name's great - that badge is TERRIBLE

I liked this one better

http://goalseattle.com/2007/MLS/mlssea-1.jpg

Try FC United of DC.

Are the owners the same? Who owns the rights to the name?

Posted by: Glenn | April 7, 2008 3:56 PM
=========================================

Adrian Hanauer is the majority owner of Sounders 2.0 and a minority owner of version 3.0, so rights to the name should not pose a problem.

Poetic Justice! Could it have really been anything else?

Great to see the fans get what they want, not many clubs would have been open to a write-in suggestion.

Next up Philly. I like Philly Phanatics PHC.

I can't help but think that this was the plan all along, but hey, we gets what we wants I suppose

Philadelphia AC

Chester Molesters FC.

hehehehe

Love the name. Second best name in MLS.

One word: Awe-some! I'm glad that the Seattle Fans got want they wanted and didn't have to put up with some high and mighty crap. P.S. Philadelphia Liberty sounds like a WNBA team. Really.

The USL Sounders should relocate to another city that could support a USL First Division team. Las Vegas? Phoenix? Sacramento? San Antonio? San Diego?

The Sounders negotiated with the MLS to keep 6 of their current USL players for next years MLS team. The can obviously sign more, but will have to draft them or "discover" them. The 6 that they keep will not count as discovery picks.

Rumor has it that Sebastoin letoux (sp?) has already reached an "agreement" with the MLS team.

The Sounders may be fairly competitive right out of the gate.

PS: Thanks to any of you that voted for Sounders...I'm a hardcore DC fan that will now have to decide my loyalties...home team vs. the team I've always supported.

I'm glad that the write in vote won out and the fans are sticking to their roots. I grew up watching the Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Stars, so it's a great feeling knowing that one day I'll move back home and the ol' team will be playing in MLS. The badge is good in that it's unique. However, it's not spectacular in an aesthetic sense. Kudos to the designer for not creating a knockoff of some Euro-badge (ala Juventus). Although the Juventus crest is hip, I feel that it's ultimately better for Seattle to forge (badge)/stick with (the name) it's own identity.
Exciting news!!!

^^Congratulations to Matty Y and all of the Seattle MLS/USL supporters. I hope that USL1 will continue to have a presence in WA whether it's in Kitsap or somewhere else, even if it is only to play Portland and Vancouver if they don't get into MLS.

Don't worry about deciding your loyalties-Go with the hometeam. DCU can be your #2.

I bet Qwest wishes they had RFK's concessions.

Matt Y,

I'm with ya there bro'. When DC and Seattle play each other, choosing which team to root for will be a tough decision to make. Otherwise, Seattle and DCU all the way!!!

Hoost,

LOL! Your sarcasm is the best ever! REP REP and double REP!!!

Their current supporters are a joke and the police and sheriffs are over the line aggressive. Hopefully folks can create and actual supporters group that has the intensity that Portland has.

Portland and Vancouver must go MLS now!

I like the name. It's better than the other two contenders, and it's WAY better than the "Emerald City" nonsense that a lot of people seemed to like. That would have been the worst choice by far (in my opinion, of course.)

I'm hoping all the expansion teams get great support from the fans but lousy play on the field (a la Toronto...)

The USL Sounders become the MLS Sounders. The new team can pull up any player it wishes from the old one, and Sebastian Le Toux already is penciled in.

There have been talks about bringing in a new USL club to Seattle/Tacoma, and it could be D1, D2 or PDL. Also talk about bringing a club the Bremerton. Just talks right now.

C'mon on -- it's obvious. Even if Elton John makes my skin crawl. Philadelphia Freedom.

Is there anywhere that has a decent website that isn't so upgraded to be not visible to average people(mlsnet is way ahead of my work) showing the badge and colors?

I wish people would refer to the 14,000 season ticket DEPOSITS. Nobody has purchased season tickets yet. It is likely that they will get a significant portion of this figure as season tickets, but it is NOT guaranteed nor has it been agreed to by the deposit purchasers that they will in fact purchase season tickets.

Until then, it is a hogwash figure just like Beckham's $250 Million contract. He makes $27.5 Million yet everyone (even MLS and ESPN) continually refers to the larger figure which is absurd based on his PLAYING SALARY.

Other than that - cool name by Seattle. They are doing very well.

Philadelphia Bells?

That would naturally lead to the first cheerleaders -- the Belles.

I too am a NW transplant but no mistaking my loyalty. I fell in love with DCU and will support them until the end. I will keep a closer eye on them than other teams and I am thrilled for the fans and soccer community out there. Now I have another reason to visit out there besides boring old family.

I've got it! Philadelphia Independence SC

Hoost yer jokin' right?
I am sure They have Guiness @ Qwest and if they don't at this moment they will come the first kick.
I am not positive about Qwest but Safeco Field has it ALL.
I would be surprised if they didn't have it going on with their concessions.
The tail gate has so much potential it's not even funny, You should be able to get your hands on Kobe beef and all the exotic Asian cuts of meat you could bend your mind around across the street from Qwest at Uwajimaya!
Pre and Post game watering holes Galore.
I can't wait till the schedule comes out so I can start planning my trips back to the old Emerald City for some DCU away games!
Get ready to stand in the rain!
Vamos United!

mlsinseattle.com
?

Yeah, I occasionally have problems w/ MLSnet, too...

I'm still gonna support DC...but root hard for Seattle. Hopefully one day they'll meet in the final and I can worry about it then.

Philadelphia Giant Rats F.C.

If Philly does their own vote, I'm voting for Philadelphia 1776... or will that piss off the British? :)

I think the NYC team has dibs on Giant Rats.

Oh yeah and congrats Seattle for getting what you want.
Soon enough you will surely be as smug as the San Franciscans...
Regardless of your squad DC will come whip yer emerald and seafoam arses.

Are the rumors true that, instead of tossing a bag of peanuts at you, stadium vendors will throw a fish your way?

Posted by: Joe Doc | April 7, 2008 3:27 PM
=============

OK, as long as it's not Fisch (unless he has a beer in each hand).

C'mon on -- it's obvious. Even if Elton John makes my skin crawl. Philadelphia Freedom.

Posted by: Fisch Fry | April 7, 2008 4:46 PM

Philadelphia Bells?

That would naturally lead to the first cheerleaders -- the Belles.

Posted by: Fisch Fry | April 7, 2008 4:48 PM

Well, you've managed to resurrect World Team Tennis (Philadelphia Freedoms) and the WFL (Philadelphia Bell)...

:)

It's a beautiful thing with grassroots fans have their say:
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/134951.asp

Clearly to reflect the region's Pennsylvania Dutch roots, PSV (Philadelphia Soccer Venture) has to be a consideration.

Clearly to reflect the region's Pennsylvania Dutch roots, PSV (Philadelphia Soccer Venture) has to be a consideration.

Posted by: AM | April 7, 2008 5:07 PM
==========================================

Except for the fact that the people in question are German/Swiss, "Dutch" being a corruption of "Deutsch".

But "Dutch" as applied to the Pennsylvania Dutch refers to Deutsch (German). So VfB Phildelphia would be more appropriate.

They can play at Dutch Wonderland...

Philadelphia 1776 will piss of the basketball team with almost the same name.

Here's what's open at Seahawks games. It appears that all of these vendors are present on the field and main levels, which are the portions that presumably would be open when the Sounders play:

http://www.seahawks.com/QwestField/Concessions.aspx

Thank god for write in candidates!!

Could the Philly team be called the Stallions, as a subtle nod to their (albeit fictional) hero, Rocky Balboa?

Virginia Blue Blood where'd ya find that alternate shield?

Clearly to reflect the region's Pennsylvania Dutch roots, PSV (Philadelphia Soccer Venture) has to be a consideration.

Posted by: AM | April 7, 2008 5:07 PM
==========================================

Except for the fact that the people in question are German/Swiss, "Dutch" being a corruption of "Deutsch".

----

I guess Pheyenoord is out then, huh?

Cool beans. I was hoping it would be FC or Sounders, so this is like winning the lottery for me (even as an impartial fan, I would lose all faith in MLS management had it been Alliance or Republic and switch to watching solely German an English soccer. PHEW. I'm glad I got that rant out of the way).

Ok... Philly is OBVIOUSLY going to be some traditional soccer name ( like Philly Athletic or AC), not all these weird WNBA names (Freedom, Independence, BELL????).

How about...

(wait for it)

Democratic Republic Alliance of Philadelphia FC.

A beer in each hand? Sounds like a fine idea!

I have been persuaded.

Athletics has historical roots in Philadelphia. Any name that riffs on that sounds good to me. Philadelphia Athletic or AC would be fine -- and would allow fans to call them the Athletics, or A's.

Name's great - that badge is TERRIBLE

I liked this one better

http://goalseattle.com/2007/MLS/mlssea-1.jpg

Posted by: Virginia Blue Blood | April 7, 2008 4:00 PM

Seattle's badge reminds me of PSG's, but that Juventus look-alike one would've been awesome! As it is, the badge is pretty unique and recognizable...a decent job in my opinion.

Yes, they have Ivar's! I love that place...although Spud is better, I have no complaints. Can't wait to have Garlic Fries at an MLS game:D

Doesn't Ivar's have cups of hot clam broth?
Whatchya know about Emmitt Watson?
Long live the Majesty of a Giant Geoduck!
Long Live Seattle Sounders FC!
Wait till ya'll find out about the "other" Georgetown...

Yeah, i liked the badge that looked like Juventus. way better.

i didn't want them to be called the Sounders. Seattle FC would have been fine. or Seattle City. i think MLS should try and get away from the awful names. thank god Dallas renamed their team.

How about Philadelphia 1682 (the year it was founded)?

The Dynamo was almost Houston 1836, which I thought was a cool name.

I'm just glad they kept the name Sounders. Nothing else fits properly.

My ideal choice for Philly is:

Ben Franklin F.C.

Athletics has historical roots in Philadelphia. Any name that riffs on that sounds good to me. Philadelphia Athletic or AC would be fine -- and would allow fans to call them the Athletics, or A's.

Posted by: Fisch Fry | April 7, 2008 5:41 PM
==========================================

A question allegedly often heard in the Delaware Valley in the early to mid-20th century: "Are you a Phillies fan or an Athletics supporter?"

Philadelphia Bells?

That would naturally lead to the first cheerleaders -- the Belles.

Posted by: Fisch Fry | April 7, 2008 4:48 PM

C'mon, don't short change the Crewzers.

http://z.about.com/d/cheerleading/1/0/9/Z/crewzers.jpg

Thx,

Jay!

Sounders, Alliance or whatever. They will still be playing on a plastic gridiron for years to come.

The name thing is just a distraction from what is important.

Still partial to Emerald City but Sounders is good.

Philadelphia SOBs - what else?

So wait, does this mean that Al Gore has a chance in November?

If teams insist on going for the year of establishment, make it the year the club was formed. So Philadelphia 2010 or Philadelphia '10. Trying to claim this great history by going to the founding of the city is ridiculous...

Yeah: 2010, a Pennsylvania Oddity

How about...

(wait for it)

Democratic Republic Alliance of Philadelphia FC.

Posted by: | April 7, 2008 5:37 PM

Why not "Constitutional Republic Alliance of Philadelphia FC" Also known as......

The space needle. How original.

C.R.A.P. FC sounds about right.
I've already hollered at my Seattle homies about what the FC Really stands for in the SEATown.
Much fun, hootin' and hollerin'.
My buddy dave seems to think it would be animal cruelty using live Geoducks for drum bludgeons at Qwest field.
Only time will tell.

C.R.A.P. FC sounds about right.
I've already hollered at my Seattle homies about what the FC Really stands for in the SEATown.
Much fun, hootin' and hollerin'.
My buddy dave seems to think it would be animal cruelty using live Geoducks for drum bludgeons at Qwest field.
Only time will tell.

C.R.A.P. FC sounds about right.
I've already hollered at my Seattle homies about what the FC Really stands for in the SEATown.
Much fun, hootin' and hollerin'.
My buddy dave seems to think it would be animal cruelty using live Geoducks for drum bludgeons at Qwest field.
Only time will tell.

isnt that weird when it gets stuck and triple posts?

now if we can just get Real Salt Lake to change there name there might not be any cringe worthy names left in MLS

Does anyone know if they will be giving the buy one get one free voucher for a toy at Gate A on Wednesday evening?

Did they do it at the HV game?
And were the vouchers valid for that days game?

The team website talks about regular season home games buttt...?

now if we can just get Real Salt Lake to change there name there might not be any cringe worthy names left in MLS

Posted by: | April 7, 2008 9:08 PM

Yes, please change that ridiculous name!

Check out Zimmers strang foods in Bolivia>
Wow!
They eat some crazy stuffs.

FC - you don't think "Crew" is a dumb name? I like their kits, though. Then again, I actually kind of liked the old Galaxy kit, certainly more distinctive than the current blah white and blah navy blue.

That Seattle badge is really, really well done. Symmetrical, iconic, historical, impactful and unique to it's city. I think they are almost best badge now...my top five MLS badges:
1) DC United (duh)
2) Seattle
3) Chicago Fire
4) Toronto FC
5) Colorado Rapids

(The Crew, Wizards, and RSL badges aren't fit for my U5s.)

The only downside? Well those badge colors look like sky blue and sage green...what is this a Martha Stewart bedding set? Argh.

FC Brotherly Love

Pink Jerseys, snug white shorts, you could still use Rocky as a mascot, just to make it confusing.

All MLS expansion teams in the future will have rhyming names with what Seattle just selected.

Up next in 2010:

Philadelphia Founders

...followed by:

St. Louis Rounders
Vancouver Flounders
Miami Bounders
Montreal Scroungers (okay, it's a sight rhyme)

Damn anybody that voted for Sounders outside of the Puget Sound area. So much for MLS in Seattle making its own history. And what's with the crest? I think only LA has an uglier one.

Seattle Sounders FC is lame but on the bright side, I can still wear my cheezy-ass 1994 Seattle Sounders sweatshirt!

When will a club be named after the Big Lebowski? The sure way to achieve eternal mega-cult hit popularity.

Perhaps the L.A. Dudes. Or the Coney Island White Russians. Or the St. Louis Gutterballs.

I was shocked by the name. I thought that it would've been Seattle FC, but I'm impressed and honestly pleased. Keeping the Sounders name keeps a tradition going in Seattle.

As for Philly, Philadelphia AC (Athletic Club) works...it harkens back to the old Philadelphia Athletics, which was one of the oldest sports clubs in the U.S. The original name was Athletic of Philadelphia. Maybe AC Philadelphia? Either or.

Apologies if this has already been asked/answered, but

1. What is a Sounder? (apart from a soccer team)

2. Does the term predate the NASL team in any way?

Big crowd last night for the Nats.

; )

Big crowd last night for the Nats.

; )

Posted by: Hoost | April 8, 2008 7:19 AM

2nd game for the Nats at new stadium = 20,487
2nd game for DC United at RFK = 20,161

I keep telling you DC is a BASEBALL town and those 300 extra fans who went to the Nats game just prove that nobody in DC cares about soccer! They need to bulldoze RFK and put in a bigger parking lot for Nats fans.

I still liked Sea Dogs...

jk

The best name for Philly would be

Philadelphia Athletic

Liberty sounds like a WNBA team yuk

"Their current supporters are a joke and the police and sheriffs are over the line aggressive"

I can't speak for the supporters, but unless you intend to throw somebody through a Starbucks window, I doubt the police and sherriff will be hunting down soccer fans.

sounders is ok because they are promoting the whole team to the mls is what i understand

Real Salt Lake should change its name to Salt Lake City like Manchester City, Leicester City, and Cardiff City in England.

Sea Dogs is the best minor league baseball team name. Leave it be.

You are giving the Nats too much credit -- that was an announced crowd, with 17,000 season tickets sold. There weren't 20,000 at the game. United had a much bigger crowd. To be fair, though, baseball on a cold night like last night? The Nats will have the bigger crowds throughout the summer, except possibly on Beckham day.

I'm too cynical...

I'm wondering if the owners had this planned from the beginning... "We all know that the name will Sounders, but let's act like we might pick another name. Then we'll get a huge boost with the fans when they pick it anyway."

PS for Andy... "Sounding is a term used for whales diving." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whale_sounding

Philadelphia Franklins

They can play at Dutch Wonderland...

Posted by: RK | April 7, 2008 5:12 PM
-------

I love Dutch Wonderland! That place is awesome.

Does "SOB" in relation to the new Philadelphia team refer to a hypothetical supporters group called "Sons of Ben"? As in Ben Franklin? If not, it should.

Sons of Ben has been around for quite some time now. They are better known than some of the supporters groups of MLS teams that are actually playing:

http://www.sonsofben.net/

A Sounder is the name for people who live in the Puget Sound region, which is where Seattle is. If you live in Tacoma, you are a South Sounder. If you live in Everett, you are a North Sounder, etc.