Seattle resumes it's rivalry with Portland and Vancouver starting this Friday.

Sounders added two more players to the roster yesterday, one local boy and one draft pick.

There has been a knock both physically and by the fans on Noonan since last year, he gets paid well but hasn't played because of injury, but his pedigree speaks for itself and Sigi is willing to be patient.

Big News from across the pond, rumor is Manchester United will be coming to Seattle for a friendly July 20th or 21st so mark your calendar.

Sounders weekly release of news and notes, the Sounders also let two more players leave camp yesterday and named the trialist.

The ex-mayor of Seattle gives his views on the Sounders and soccer in the northwest.

Here is a list of players waived by MLS Clubs yesterday.


Chelsea 2 – Manchester United 1 (Premier League, March 1, 2011)



The headline-grabbing arrivals of Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez to the New York Red Bulls drew plenty of attention last year, but the club’s turnaround in 2010 had more to do with lesser known contributors stepping up than superstars carrying the team.


Real Salt Lake 4 - Columbus Crew 1 (CONCACAF Champions League Quaterfinal, March 1st, 2011)



The New York Cosmos were known back in the old NASL as the team to beat on the field and then the team to Party with after the game, they have had a re-birth of sorts over the last year in hopes of trying to get the 20th spot in the MLS come 2013. In the meantime they are kicking back up the Party atmosphere!


Knockout of the Week



ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel have swapped play by play announcers, first Max Bretos moved to ESPN before the World Cup and now JP Dellacamera is moving from ESPN to Fox Soccer Channel. You gotta wonder if it had anything to do with ESPN signing Ian Darke (Englands best announcer)or the fact that ex-players Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda, and Cobi Jones taking over most of the color commentary for ESPN?


Sevilla 3 – Sporting Gijon 0 (La Liga, March 1, 2011)



José Mourinho has a problem. When fans approach the world's most famous coach—and they do so in great numbers, from Madrid to London to Los Angeles—they are seldom satisfied with a typical autograph. They want something unique. Distinct. Dare it be said: special. "I'll sign JOSÉ MOURINHO," says the Real Madrid manager after a practice in the Spanish capital. "But most of the people say, 'No, no, no. You will sign THE SPECIAL ONE!' " Mourinho sighs, the edges of his trademark smirk curling into a faint smile. "Everybody wants me to be The Special One. But I don't worry. There could be a worse nickname."


Goal of the Week (ala Roberto Carlos)



He was always player that had that ability but didn't show it at times, now he has moved to Europe and been given the chance to sink or swim.


Golazo of the Week (double nutmeg then audaciously chips the keeper)



I have always had the opinion (ask I have many) but in order for the USA and soccer in general to take the next step in America we need Acadmey's/School's like they have in Europe. The national team has done this with their academy in Brandenton, Florida, but what if you had 10 of these facilities throughout the USA and they were divided into regions and club teams could nominate/send players to be evaluated, from there the best of the best could rise up to the national team. In America we are at a very big cross road with everyone wanting a piece of the pie and say in who does what, this in turn shows on the pitch!


Espanyol 1 – Mallorca 2 (La Liga, March 1, 2011)



Jermain Jones has an American Father and German mother, Timothy Chandler has the same and both have succeded in the Bundesliga in Germany. Jones is starting to make his way with the USMNT but Chandler is unsure.


Duisburg 2 – Energie Cottbus 1 (DFB Pokal, March 1, 2011)



We have seen it before, a famous athlete getting a parking ticket trys to talk their way out of it. Samuel Eto'o took another route, telling the cop I'm #1!


Reims 2 – Nice 3 (AET) (Coupe De France, March 1, 2011)



Roma could be the first Italian team to have foreign owners, it could pave the way things are done in Italian soccer.


Anzhi 2 – Zenit St Petersburg 3 (Russian Cup, March 1, 2011)