Sounders FC Members Gives Thumbs-down to Cheerleaders

First Ever Membership Meeting High on Feel-Good Factor Carey Draws Cheers, Cheerleaders Draw Boos Nov 20 The first ever meeting of the Sounders FC Membership Association attracted more than 500 people to Qwest Field, a quite remarkable achievement for a meeting that wasn’t high on blockbuster announcements. Drew Carey, Bart Wiley and Gary Wright ran the show in the absence of those front office members heading to Los Angeles to watch the MLS Cup Final. Sounders FC’s two lesser known players were introduced to the crowd but most of those attending seemed well versed in the talents of Seba Le Toux and Sanna Nyassi. The quiet Gambian who frankly looked like he prefers playing to sitting on a podium, did however come up with the memorable line of the night in the question and answer session. Asked which players, he was most looking forward to playing against, he reminded the meeting that he regularly calls his brother, Sainey currently playing at the New England Revolution and vows to “whoop your ass” when the two sides meet next year. Full Rport and More Announcements

Teatro ZinZanni - Rosa de Rio

“Rosa de Rio” takes its name from the presence of Brazilian star Paula Gelly. Already established in her native country, she brings her considerable singing talent to the Spiegeltent in Seattle. Her apart, there was not much Brazilian about this show, whose strengths relied more on the individual performances of its cast than on a strong storyline as was the case in “Quest for a Queendom”. This is not a major issue for an attraction like Teatro ZinZanni, where visitors come primarily to to dine well and be entertained from one course to the next. As long as the acts are good, everyone is happy, and good acts are exactly what Artistic Director Norm Langill provided. Teatro ZinZanni - Rosa de Rio

Pacific Northwest Ballet - New Works

Pacific Northwest Ballet presented us with a varied night of New Works; three of which were world or PNB premieres and the fourth, William Forsythe’s “One Flat Thing, Reproduced” which premiered last spring. The PNB has a strong reputation for putting on new works, including the two new Twyla Tharp pieces earlier this fall. This program follows the strong lead of “All Tharp”. PNB premiere “A Garden” by Mark Morris (to music by Richard Strauss) began the program and as seems to be the PNB way on ‘New Works’ nights, delicacy and grace in the first piece paved the way for the edgier and more experimental pieces to follow. “A Garden” featured PNB audience favourites, Jonathan Porretta, Lucien Postlewaite, Belgium’s Olivier Wevers and Brazil’s Carla Körbes among others. New Works - Review

Sounders FC to Hold Fashion Show

Beneficiaries to Include Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the Quest for a Cure Guild November 10 Sounders FC today announced a fashion Show for December 4th. A press release from Sounders FC claims "the show is a unique event that will allow fans to be the first to see the team’s official uniform and complete fashion line. Majority shareholder Drew Carey, Sounders FC players and "A-list celebrities" are said to be attending according to the press release. Full Story

Drowsy Chaperone

A man, seemingly lonely, sits in a chair in what looks like an urban studio apartment. He’s sad, he’s anxious; he tells us he's feeling blue. He cheers himself up by putting on an old record (yes children, a record), the 1928 musical comedy, "The Drowsy Chaperone" by the fictional writing team of Gable and Stein. He also acts as our host for the night, directly addressing the audience. The musical, as he admits, is fairly lousy. Yeah – the songs are good, but the storyline, set in New York during prohibition, is contrived. The characters are stereotypes. Sound like a bad night out for you? You’d be so far wrong. The Drowsy Chaperone revels in its kitsch; and camp as Jonathan Crombie is as ‘the Man in the Chair’ (we never learn his name), his personality superbly embellishes some pretty snappy one-liners, and brilliantly overcomes what superficially would be seen as a feeble idea for a show. Drowsy Chaperone Review

Freddie Ljungberg Signs for Seattle

Big time soccer has arrived in Seattle as Sounders FC officially unveiled Swedish legend Freddie Ljungberg as their designated player for 2009. The attacking midfielder won 71 caps for Sweden scoring 14 goals, and captained them in Euro 2008. His club career is best known for his nine years at Arsenal in North London. Playing in a very successful side alongside greats such as Thierry Henry, Robert Pirès, Sol Campbell, Patrick Viera, and Dennis Bergkamp, he won two league titles and three FA Cups in England including a league and cup double in 2002. Ljungberg’s arrival signals the end of months of speculation about who Sounders FC would sign as their Designated Player, or indeed whether they would even sign one at all. Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew are currently the two most successful clubs in the MLS and both have opted to play without one. Ljungberg’s salary is $2.5m a year and he is contracted to Seattle Sounders FC for two years. Full and comprehensive coverage from the press conference

Sounders FC to Unveil Designated Player

Freddie Ljungberg May be the Man to Lead Sounders FC Charge There will be a press conference to announce Seattle Sounders FC's new Designated Player for the 2009 MLS season. Retired Sweden captain Freddie Ljunbgberg is the favourite to be unveiled. More details here

Sounders Fly Out to Argentina as 2011 MLS Deadline Passes

Sounders Head to Argentina as MLS Cities are Announced. Estudiantes de la Plata, Platense, Rosario Central, and CA Jorge Griffa Are Opponents as Sounders Thank Players It's a big day for soccer in both Seattle and North America. Seattle Sounders players fly out to Argentina to play four friendly games with the words of Adrian Hanauer that "we’ve told all of the players, they all have a chance" fresh in their minds. In another story, MLS announced the applicants for the two places in 2011. Full Story and List of Applicants

Three Musketeers - Seattle rep

Seattle Repertory Theatre brings us a new fast- paced adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas classic The Three Musketeer directed by Kyle Donnelly. This is a family-friendly version with a modern twist. Don’t worry the sword-fighting fun of the original is core to this fun action packed adventure. amlines Dumas’ complex story and adds a beloved kid sister (Sabine) who sets upon Paris with her brother d’Artagnan. Why should the boys have all the fun? Sabine is a delightfully modern, spunky addition performed by Montana von Fliss. Other standout performances by Jim Abele as the evil Cardinal Richelieu and Alban Dennis as the dim-witted but loveable King Louis XIII add to the mix. Full Review

Adrian Hanauer Seattle Sounders Interview

'I’ll do whatever’s necessary for the team to succeed.' On November 11, 2007, Major League Soccer announced that the next expansion franchise was to be based in Seattle. It was a dream come true for many but none more than Adrian Hanauer, owner of the Seattle team plying its trade in the United Soccer League at the time. Hanauer had brought together an ownership consortium consisting of Hollywood producer Joe Roth, himself, Vulcan Sports and Entertainment (owners of the NFL Seattle Seahawks) and comedian Drew Carey. The Seahawks brought a wealth of marketing experience and QWest Field, Carey brought the novel approach of making Seattle Sounders FC, as it is to become, a membership based organization where the General Manager is elected by the club members. In bringing an MLS franchise to Seattle, a dream had been fulfilled. Now the task of building as team, a fan base and a economically viable business has begun. And Hanauer's in charge. Prost Amerika sat down with him and tried to get some insight about his vision to see what the club he is shaping will look like, and became the first to reminisce about the end of the USL era in Seattle in his first full length interview since Seattle Sounders turned the page on the USL chapter of its life. Click Here for the Full Interview

All the King's Men - Intiman Theatre

Eleven years after Long’s death, Robert Penn Warren wrote “All the King’s Men” for which he received his first Pulitzer Prize a year later. Based on the life of Long, the play’s focal point is the career of Willie Stark, a self-proclaimed hick politician, who began his political life conducting an honest fight against a construction contract being awarded nepotistically. However, learning that politics is a dirty game, Stark begins his transformation into the manipulative end product. Adrian Hall created this adaptation of the novel in 1987 for the resident acting company of the Trinity Repertory Company of Rhode Island. 18 actors take the stage and the musical works of Randy Newman are part of Hall’s adaptation. In this Intiman performance, directed by Pam McKinnon, Leo Marks takes the lead role of Jack Burden, a journalist who ends up working for Stark. All the King's Men Full Review

The Night Watcher by Charlayne Woodard

Some people like one person shows, some do not. If you’re one of those that do, then The Night Watcher is a show that you should not miss. Charlayne Woodard wrote and performed this show and if there was one phrase that was continually overheard on leaving the theatre, that phrase would be “She’s amazingly talented, isn’t she?” It begins with Charlayne receiving a call from Alfre Woodard (no relation) asking Charlayne who is black and her husband Harris who is white to adopt a mixed race baby. In declining the offer, Charlayne and her husband Harris realize that biological parenthood is not for them. "I can’t have a baby. If I have a baby...I can’t be the baby, right Harris?" Full Review

Wagner in Seattle Performers Announced

Seattle Opera to Transform Seattle into the “Ring City” with a Month of Citywide Ring Cycle Events in August 2009 Under the leadership of General Director Speight Jenkins, Seattle Opera has become known as “America’s Bayreuth,” drawing worldwide audiences to its acclaimed productions of all of Richard Wagner’s major works, especially sold-out performances of Der Ring des Nibelungen, the composer’s cycle of four epic operas—Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung. Seattle Opera’s last Ring cycle performances in 2005 drew audiences from 49 states and 19 countries and sold out many months in advance. Seattle Opera and the City of Seattle are now making preparations for Seattle Opera’s next three Ring cycles, to take place from August 9 through 30, 2009. Tickets are currently on sale to Seattle Opera subscribers. Tickets go on sale online to the general public beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. Tickets for the general public will be available by phone or in person beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2008. Read the full article by clicking here.

Montreal Impact 3 : 1 Seattle Sounders

Down and Out. Seattle's USL Story Ends Amidst Red Card Flurry Impact Advance to Semis as Seattle Prepares for the Arrival of MLS Red cards, late goals and a retaken penalty contributed to an evening of high drama at the Saputo Stadium, Montreal. Going into the game trailing by one goal, Montreal equalized the aggregate score in in the 56th minute with a strike from David Testo just inside the 18 yards box which Sounders keeper Chris Eylander only managed to fingertip. The scoreline didn't stay tied long, however, as the Sounders all-time leading goalscorer in the playoffs, Roger Levesque, scored three minutes later putting Seattle back up by one goal in the series. The goal was his seventh ever in the playoffs and came off an assist from recent substitute, Sanna Nyassi. Nyassi had come on at half time for the injured Leighton O'Brien and played to ball to Levesque from the left after having received a terrific back heel pass from Le Toux. Seattle adopted a more defensive posture after the goal to hold their lead but were dealt a serious blow in the 74th minute when they were reduced to ten men after Roger Levesque was sent off for a violent tackle on Impact defender Adam Braz. On the ensuing free kick, the ball bounced around in the box eventually coming to the feet of Rocco Placentino whose shot deflected in off the post. Full Match Report

Seattle Sounders 2 : 1 Montreal Impact

Fiery, Frothy and Far from Over Sounders Travel to Quebec with Slim Advantage but without Sakuda Seattle Sounders edged out the Montréal Impact 2-1 in the first leg of this play-off game which saw overworked referee Edvin Jurisevic issue red cards to Seattle’s Kevin Sakuda and Montréal’s Stefan Pesoli. Goals from Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar and a Leighton O’Brien penalty secured the home side a narrow lead to take to Montréal on Sunday. Jurisevic could have issued more cards as personal battles broke out across the field in a chaotic final fifteen minutes. Adam Braz and Felix Brillant can count themselves fairly lucky to have remained on the pitch. Nevertheless, there was a lack of finger pointing from a calm Brain Schmetzer after the match with the Seattle coach commenting “My players should know better. A championship team doesn’t make mental mistakes like that. That they tried to play physical was a positive in my eyes.” Impact coach John Limniatis saw it differently. Asked if he was happy with the 2-1 reverse in the away leg, he said, Full Match Report with Quotes from Both Managers

Eurydice at the ACT Theater

This play was written in 2000 by Sarah Ruhl and was inspired by the death of her father in 1994. Ruhl is considered to be “the most exciting young playwright to emerge from the American theatre in more than a decade” by ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie. The stage which appeared to be more like the bottom of a pool or a public restroom was composed of weathered blue tile with elements of the productions props scattered about – dead leaves, brown paper, a rusty piped makeshift water fountain and intriguingly strings attached on both ends from the ceiling to the stage floor that when plucked emitted an ensemble of various guitar movements. Full Review by Ileana Vasquez Click Here

All Tharp at the Pacific Northwest Ballet

The PNB season opened with a bang as a three part program produced the unusual spectacle of standing ovations at each interval as well as at the end. The program consisted of two world premieres by renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp, “Opus 111” and “Afternoon Ball”, followed by her adaptation of Frank Sinatra classics called “Nine Sinatra Songs”. Tharp spent two months in Seattle working with the company to bring her two new pieces to life, and that intense period of hard work and focus has definitely paid off. For “Opus 111”, Tharp set her choreography to the music of Johannes Brahms, in what PNB’s Education Programs Manager Doug Fullington informed us was Brahms’ last piece, a lushly romantic string quintet. Simple costumes of brown, orange, and lavender allowed the dance to flow without drawing the eye as twelve dancers participated in the Opus, mostly in two or three pairs at a time but all onstage at the stirring finale. The vocabulary was classical, with elements of folk dancing, and the swaying arm movements that are a Tharp standard. The piece featured several dancers who had been promoted since last season, most prominently Lucien Postlewaite, who has been promoted to principal rank at the PNB and seemed to revel in the new status as he performed with confidence and verve. Also performing in “Opus 111” were former corps de ballet members James Moore and recently married Rachel Foster, who are both new PNB soloists. Full Review

Seattle Sounders v Montreal Impact

Old Friends Meet Again and Both Have Reasons to be Confident But Could This Be "Sayonara" Starfire? The Sounders now enter the play-off finale to the season and some would say their existence. They approach the quarter final match with Montréal Impact in a less than hearty mood with recent performances baffling coach Brian Schmetzer and fans alike. Goals have been shipped by experienced defenders making basic errors, but as a frustrated Schmetzer pointed out after the last game, the errors seem to emanate from a different player every time. But just as it seems to have broken itself, it may well fix itself and traditionally the play-offs have brought the best out of Schmetzer’s sides. Add to that the incentive that for the first time this season a loss poses the risk that it may cost Seattle their Champions title, and you get the feeling that a rejuvenated Sounders may show up on Friday for the first leg against Montréal Impact. That, at least, is the hope for the home side. Full Match Preview Click Here

Seattle Sounders to Play Montreal Impact

Sounders to Face Montreal in Play-offs First Leg at Tukwila Starfire Friday 26th In the first playoffs round, the Seattle Sounders will face the Montreal Impact in a home-and-away aggregate goals series. The first game will be played this Friday, September 26, in Tukwila. The kick off is 7pm as has been the norm for home games. The return game will be played Sunday, September 28, at Saputo Stadium, at 2 pm kick off west coast time. Details click here

Seattle Sounders 2 : 3 Vancouver Whitecaps

Whitecaps Take Cascadia Cup Home after 3 Goal Blitz Four Goals in Fourteen Minutes in Second Half Decide "Friendly Derby" The last Vancouver/Seattle derby for the foreseeable future ended with a 3-2 win for the Vancouver. The visiting Whitecaps had nothing to play for in the USL after Puerto Rico clinched first place last night but there was no doubting their desire to finish this rivalry with a victory on a memorable night in Tukwila. Goals from Nick Addlery, Justin Moose and Jeff Clarke all within a 14 minute period in the second half gave a lively Vancouver Whitecaps side a deserved victory in this final Cascadia Derby. Sounders had earlier taken the lead through Seb le Toux in the first half and a beautifully worked Kevin Sakuda goal brought them back to 3-2 in the second. But it was to be Vancouver's night. Now everyone must wait for the conclusion to the USL regular season to learn their dates if not their fates. What we can say is that Seattle Sounders will play Montreal with the Impact having choice of home or away first, and Vancouver will play Minnesota Thunder whose surprise 3-1 win over Montreal earlier in the evening secured their play-off place. Dates are yet to be confirmed. The night started promisingly for a Seattle side missing Taylor Graham who pulled a hamstring in training on Thursday. Full Report

Shrek the Musical

Shrek - the Musical 5th Avenue Theater August 14 - September 21 By Janet Luhrs Who’d think that a silly, crazy cast of swamp-dwelling ogres, gremlins, and fairy tale creatures could inspire an opening night audience to give a standing ovation? I’ll admit it – I was surprised. When given this assignment, I was skeptical. I hadn’t seen the movie, and didn’t see how some green monster could hold my attention. Wrong. Shrek the Musical is sheer delight for all ages and types. We saw plenty of kids, suits, middle-aged ladies, prom queen types, 20-and 30 somethings, hipsters and parents. We sat in front and felt like we were in the middle of a fairy tale ride through Disneyland. The set was elaborately first-class and for the most part so were the costumes. The acting was superb, especially by Sutton Foster who played Princess Fiona, and Christopher Sieber, who played Lord Farquaad. Chester Gregory, who played the donkey, brought uninhibited, wide-ranging humor to his character – and he really brightened the stage. Shrek himself, played by Brian D’Arcy, was loveable. Full Review of Shrek

Seattle Dance Project - Orpheus Project

Project Orpheus - Seattle Dance Project ACT Theater - Bullitt Cabaret In an unusual and inspired concept, Seattle Dance Project enlisted three choreographers - Wade Madsen, Eva Stone and Olivier Wevers – to collaborate on its’ version of the Greek Myth Orpheus and Eurydice in a work, entitled Project Orpheus. Perhaps most striking were two scenes; Orpheus’ (Joseph Anderson) “Request for Euridice” in which Madsen lined up two tables behind which the dancers sat and rattled a battery of questions in deep, halting breaths, asking how his request for Eurydice “would affect his art.” The scene, reminiscent of the antics of the New York-based Wooster Group, was hysterical and highly effective at simultaneously evoking Orpheus’ desperation for Eurydice at the unwelcome impediment. Orpheus Project

Chuanyun Li - Seattle

Chuanyun Li Benaroya Hall September 16 Orchestra Seattle's Fall Gala presented Chuanyun Li who delighted the audience at Benaroya Hall last night with a performance that not only brought smiles to the crowd in front of him, but the orchestra behind. After receiving rave reviews from the Seattle Times and countless other American critics, Li returned to Seattle for one night only with George Shangrow and Orchestra Seattle. Full Review: Chuanyun Li

Vancouver Whitecaps v Seattle Sounders- Death of a Rivalry?

Farewell in the Nicest Sense to One of North America’s Oldest Derbies Whitecaps Head South for One Last Time Amidst all the hullaballooo of two general elections, another chapter in the history of both countries is about to end. A sporting chapter. For when Vancouver Whitecaps head to Starfire for the last regular season game of the 2008 season, it will bring down the curtain on one of the most storied rivalries in North American soccer history. David Falk, Seattle soccer historian and webmaster of GOALSEATTLE.com, commented "Seattle Sounders have always been the filling in the middle of the Cascadia 'sandwich.' Whom do Vancouver want to beat the most? Seattle. Whom do Portland relish conquering above all else? The Sounders. In this triangle derby over the years a certain admiration has developed between Sounders and Whitecaps supporters and officials. " Full Story: We'll Meet Again

Win Pacific Northwest Ballet Tickets

WIN PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET TICKETS Win two tickets to the Pacific Northwest Ballet's production of All Tharp (September 25-October 5) . Just email your name and phone number to competitions@prostamerika.com and remember to put "New Works" in the subject line. Competition Closes September 17th. More details of this and more competitions, please visit Seattle Competitions

Seattle Sounders 1 : 1 Atlanta Silverbacks

One Defensive Lapse Robs Seattle of Win But Not Play-off The Sounders secured the point required to qualify for the play-off stage of the 2009 USL season but there was little other reason for euphoria at the Starfire Sports Complex tonight. Against an average Silverbacks side who boasted the worst defensive record in the league and who hadn't beaten Seattle for over two years, a draw was hardly the pinnacle of achievement. Yet Sebastien le Toux scored his twentieth goal of the season and became the first Sounder since Mark Baena in 1998 to do so and Kenji Treschuk provided the assist and had perhaps his best game for quite a while signaling a welcome return to form. Coach Schmetzer was clearly irritated at the defensive lapse however which allowed Atlanta their equaliser especially as it was two of the normally most secure and reliable defenders, Danny Jackson and Taylor Graham who were involved. Macoumba Kandji returning after a five game absence netted the 55th minute equaliser. "Letting in another soft goal after we worked on defending on our only training day, Friday. We worked on defenders with two lines of four. I hauled the guys up for a meeting, watched film, made it pretty clear to them that they're a veteran group, they don't make mistakes like that, you understand that if you make them it's worse than when the forwards don't score, you're mentally tough. We had a pat on the back meeting and said this is where we need to do better and then we end up giving away another soft goal." Full Report Seattle Sounders 1 : 1 Atlanta Silverbacks

Shrek - the Musical

5th Avenue Theater August 14 - September 21 By Janet Luhrs Who’d think that a silly, crazy cast of swamp-dwelling ogres, gremlins, and fairy tale creatures could inspire an opening night audience to give a standing ovation? I’ll admit it – I was surprised. When given this assignment, I was skeptical. I hadn’t seen the movie, and didn’t see how some green monster could hold my attention. Wrong. Shrek the Musical is sheer delight for all ages and types. We saw plenty of kids, suits, middle-aged ladies, prom queen types, 20-and 30 somethings, hipsters and parents. We sat in front and felt like we were in the middle of a fairy tale ride through Disneyland. The set was elaborately first-class and for the most part so were the costumes. The acting was superb, especially by Sutton Foster who played Princess Fiona, and Christopher Sieber, who played Lord Farquaad. Chester Gregory, who played the donkey, brought uninhibited, wide-ranging humor to his character – and he really brightened the stage. Shrek himself, played by Brian D’Arcy, was loveable. Full Review: Shrek the Musical

Seattle Sounders 1 : 2 Montréal Impact

Happy 400th Birthday for Montréal as Smash and Grab Raid Floors Seattle Sounders Still Require a Point for Play-offs Montréal Impact continued a very successful run against West Coast sides adding three points from Seattle to the three collected from Portland earlier in the week. Second half goals from Tony Donatelli and Antonio Ribeiro were split by an equalizer by Seattle midfielder Yousuff Kante. The win guarantees Montreal their play-off place but Seattle have to wait until Saturday’s visit from Atlanta, although intervening results from other games could give them a gentle shove. Coach Brian Schmetzer left Sanna Nyassi on the bench as the returning Zach Scott was the only change from the victory over Miami. Montréal left a slew of players in Quebec for their West Coast tour, victims of injury, suspension or an increased schedule due to their CONCACAF Champions League heroics. Keeper Matt Jordan sat out the game allowing Andrew Weber only his fourth start of the season in what was the Impact’s 400th game in their history. Full Story: Seattle Sounders 1 : 2 Montréal Impact

Sounders FC Sign Third Player

Gambia Youth International Becomes 3rd Signee Teenage Midfielder Sanna Nyassi Played in 2007 FIFA Championships But is Immediately Available to USL Side Seattle Sounders FC today announced the identity of their third signing for their inaugural MLS. Sanna Nyassi, a member of the Gambia U-20 National Team at the 2007 FIFA Championships is a 19-year-old midfielder, and becomes the third player signed by Sounders FC. He joins American goalkeeper Kasey Keller and French forward Sebastien Le Toux. Like Le Toux, Nyassi is now being loaned to the Sounders of the USL First Division for the remainder of this season. He is expected to be available for Seattle’s next match, at home to Miami FC on Saturday night. Full Story: Sounders Add Ghanaian Star

Elza van den Heever Wins Wagner Contest

South African Soprano Scoops Wagner Prize Elza van den Heever delights audience and judges but Orchestra favours Nadine Weissman. August 16 The Annual International Wagner competition took place at Seattle Opera and the expected titanic battle between Europe and the USA, a kind of Operatic Ryder Cup, was shattered when delightful South African soprano Elza van den Heever claimed the judges and audience accolades after performing “Dich, teure Halle” from Tannhäuser and “Einsame in trüben Tagen” from Lohengrin. Germany’s mezzo-soprano Nadine Weissmann was voted Orchestra Favourite. She sang "Weiche, Wotan, Weiche" (Das Rheingold) and Waltraute's Narrative (Götterdämmerung). Wagner in Seattle Full Report

Bye Bye Bayern - New European Weekly Article

With the 2008-2009 Bundesliga campaign already in full force, Bayern Munich remain the favorite to repeat as champions of Germany. Having won the domestic double last season, edging Borussia Dortmund 2:1 after extra time in the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) and winning the Bundesliga a clear 10 points ahead of second-place Werder Bremen, Bayern are, once again, the team to beat. Full article: Bundesliga Preview

Seattle Sounders 4 : 3 Carolina Railhawks

Swashbuckling Sounders Squash Dry Spell in the Pouring Rain Sounders Keep Their Heads above Water as Jolly Roger Nets One and Gardner Two in Goal Romp The Seattle Sounders returned to winning ways in style with a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Railhawks. Two offensive minded sides traded goals in a thrilling encounter that kept 2008 spectators enthralled till the final whistle. On a night of heroes, Josh Gardner claimed a brace as both Ciaran O'Brien and Yousuff Kante put pinpoint crosses on his head. Returning forward Roger Levesque looked fully fit for the first time since an injury kept him sidelined and much to the delight of the crowd put himself on the scoresheet again with a header. Seb Le Toux also returned to his scoring ways as Seattle showed an attacking flair they've been missing in recent weeks. But that's only one side of the story that unfolded tonight. Carolina's Hamed Diallo scored a hat-trick and became the first player to score three goals and lose against the Sounders since a pre season match against the Salem Surge in March 1996. Lively and threatening throughout, the Railhawks will lament their set piece defending which allowed Seattle so many chances to strike. Full Match report:

Seattle Sounders 0 0 Vancouver Whitecaps

Rain Falls but Sounders Resist Vancouver Tide Eylander’s Heroics Save Seattle Seattle Sounders can thank Chris Eylander for leaving Starfire Complex with a point tonight after the Vancouver Whitecaps dominated a scoreless tie. The visitors from the north were missing three key players in Jeff Clarke, Justin Moose and Eduardo Sebrango while Sounders had to manage without either O’Brien. Whereas the last sub par performance by Seattle had seen their opponents leave with all three points, Sounders did just about enough to scrape a draw although some poor Vancouver finishing assisted. They did however keep fighting till the final whistle and credit must be given to some players who are clearly struggling for form for their continued effort in the pouring rain. Full report: Seattle 0 0 Vancouver

Seattle Sounders v Vancouver Whitecaps Preview

Sounders Seek to Bounce Back against Title Chasing Whitecaps Always Welcome Guests Visit for the Penultimate Time Vancouver Whitecaps trail USL leaders Porto Rico by three points with a game in hand. That game is a Cascadia Cup encounter at Starfire this Wednesday with Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders. Unlike the rivalry with Portland, most Sounders fans look forward to friendly and sporting banter with their friends from the north and despite it being midweek, everyone concerned will welcome the appearance of a vociferous away support. There is one more visit for the Caps to Seattle on September 20th, but thereafter only a USL play off this year can guarantee another match. Vancouver Whitecaps are ineligible to enter the US Open Cup obviously due to being Canadian. Hopefully ways can be found to preserve this fixture though. Full story: Vancouver v Seattle August 20th

Kasey Keller Signs for Seattle Sounders

Trilingual Keller Impresses Press Pack But Vows “I’m Here to Play” An ambassador on and off the Pitch At a press conference held today at Qwest field, Seattle Sounders FC unveiled Kasey Keller as their second addition to the playing squad on a multi-year contract for next year’s MLS. Citing confidence in their defence as a key to attacking play, GM Adrian Hanauer announced Kasey Keller as the keeper for the Sounders FC. As a former U.S. National Team player coming into the League, Keller is subject to enter the League via the allocation rankings. As an expansion team in 2009, Seattle held the number one allocation ranking, which the club used to acquire Keller. This specifically means that the Designated Player option still remains open to the club. Full Story: Keller Comes to Seattle

Kasey Keller to Rejoin Sounders

An email has been sent out inviting fans to join Seattle Sounders FC in a special player announcement on Thursday, August 14th at Qwest Field. Gates will open at 2:00 PM. The purpose of the gathering will be to announce that former Team USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller is the player to be added to the squad. The 38 year old Lacey, Washington native has been playing in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach and was known to be keen on a return to the Pacific Northwest. Kasey has played 91 times for the USA National Men’s Team. Keller started his club career with the Portland Timbers and played as part of the US Under 20 program for three years before four successful years in London with Millwall. He moved onto Leicester City for whom he played 99 games. His next port of call was the city of Madrid where he played 51 games in La Liga for Rayo Vallecano. Full story: Kasey's Coming Home

Charleston Battery v Seattle Sounders

US Open Cup Semi Final Preview Is This Seattle's Biggest Game Ever? Battery Expecting a Charged Crowd The Sounders leave Minnesota for South Carolina where the Charleston Battery await them in what could be described as one of the most important games in Sounders history. Having won the bidding process for hosting rights to the final, Qwest field would see perhaps the biggest competitive soccer game in its history should Charleston be overcome. However that will be far from easy given the Battery’s outstanding home form. Sounders officials have been quick to point out that this is far from a foregone conclusion. Looking forward to the game, David Wittstock Sounders Media Relations Manager said, "We're obviously very excited to be hosting a potential cup final but Charleston are a very good team, among the best. This will be a very hard match.” Certainly their last meeting was very close with Sounders eking out a hard won 1-0 win at Starfire with a Seb Le Toux goal. Seattle's last trip to the Blackbaud was less successful, resulting in a 1-0 reverse. The goalscorer that day was Lazo Alavanja who will be suspended for Tuesday’s match. Full Report: Semi Final Special Report

Minnesota Thunder 3 : 1 Seattle Sounders

Three Points Lost as Sanchez Lights up Occasion Ricardo Sanchez was the difference between the sides as his two spectacular second half goals ensured Seattle left Minnesota empty handed. Two Sanchez free kicks in the 56th and 75th minutes sealed Seattle’s fate and it was no more than the 26 year old Mexican or his team mates deserved. Brian Schmetzer rang the changes as no fewer than eight players who started the Portland game were rested from the starting line up. Clearly the Sounders coach had an eye on Tuesday’s date with the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup. For some players this presented a very rare opportunity to play from the start notably goalkeeper Ben Dragavon, defender Adam West and recent recruit forward Kevin Forrest. The season long injury crisis meant that most of the other players had featured fairly prominently already. Sounders had the best of the early exchanges with Hugo Alvaraz-Cuellar’s crosses from the right hand side proving a source of discomfort for the Thunder defenders. It was from one of them that the Sounders opened the lead in the 16th minute. Cuellar found space on the right and his delivery was played on by Andre Schmid, having one of his better games, into the path of Jason Cascio who put the visitors ahead. That seemed to energise Minnesota and the Sounders were back pedaling soon after. In the space of seconds, the fit again Taylor Graham headed off Ben Dragavon’s line, and shortly thereafter the referee ruled out the first of three disallowed efforts in the first half to deny the lively Alen Marcina. Full Report Minnesota Thunder 3 : 1 Seattle Sounders Three Points Lost as Sanchez Lights up Occasion

European Weekly's English Season Preview

A New Challenger For Sir Alex The European Weekly has a brand new soccer page where you will be able to read a weekly article about international soccer from a distinctly Seattle point of view. It will cover soccer in Seattle and worldwide. The first article in the series is a preview of the EPL season but next week will cover the Seattle Sounders historic US Open Cup run. Click on the headline above to read it.

US Cup Final Could Be Heading to QWest Field

The US Soccer Federation today announced the potential venues for the US Open Cup Final. If Seattle beat Charleston Battery on August 12th, the final will be coming to QWest Field no matter who provides the opposition. If DC United win, the final will be heading to QWest Field on September 3rd. If New England are victorious, QWest Field will see the final on September 15th. Charleston Battery would host New England on the 22nd but would have to travel to the nation's capital on September 3rd to play DC. Full Story Prost Amerika Seattle Sounders Soccer News

Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders Match Preview August 6

Sounders Bid Farewell to Portland Long Awaited Return of Portland Bête-Noire Levesque Set to Spice it up Further? August 6 Feelings are sure to be running high as the MLS bound Seattle Sounders make their last regular season trip to PGE Park to face the Portland Timbers. Thursday night’s match could be the last of many memorable meetings between the two sides leaving bragging rights in one town for an eternity. Both sides need the points to stay competitive in the race for a USL play-off place. The Cascadia Cup is at stake. The sides are fierce local rivals. Then there is the lingering resentment in Oregon at the Sounders elevation to the MLS. But amazingly there's more. FOX are televising the game live nationwide and both sides have a chance to impress on a large scale. Well at least there are no personality issues! But wait! "What's that coach?" Brian Schmetzer displaying an incredible sense of drama may well have chosen Portland as the scene of the long awaited return of a certain Mr Roger Levesque. The Timbers Army can't be said to be terribly keen on any Sounders player but Full story: http://www.prostamerika.com/Sounders2008.html

Seattle Opera's Aida a Great Season Opener

Aida Seattle Opera by Victoria Rimoczi When Guiseppe Verdi wrote Aida in 1870, he created an opera written for the people. From the opening notes of the overture, the audience in McCall Hall was drawn into a world which is both far away and yet intimately familiar.

Aida is a story of the conflict of love and duty. The action takes place in Egypt in the midst of a war between Egypt and Ethiopia. Aida (Lisa Daltirus) has been captured as a slave by the Egyptians, unbeknownst to all as the daughter of the King of Ethiopia. She loves and is loved by Radames (Antonello Palombi), the hero of the Egyptian Army.

Were this not opera, the story would end here, but this being opera, we add Amneris (Stephanie Blythe), the Pharos daughter who is in love with (as you guessed) Radames to the mix. If you’re thinking this isn’t going to end well for our two lovers, you’re right. Aida’s father, Amonasro (Charles Taylor) convices Aida to use her feminine wiles to obtain state secrets thus leading us to our crushing denouement. Radames betrays his country for love and is condemned to be buried alive. Aida chooses to share his fate and the lovers die in grand, heart-wrenching operatic style.

The control Lisa Baltrius had over her voice as Aida was impressive, maintaining the tuning even in the highest register and producing a very beautiful lyric line. Her voice was the perfect contrast to the dramatic Amneris. Some of the intimacy of the “O Patra Mia” was diverted due to set staging, but the subtlety and sweetness in her voice made you really sympathize with her plight. Stephanie Blythe is the reigning Queen of the mezzo-soprano repertoire and her Amneris was a delight to the senses. The sheer size of her voice, the impeccable technique and the ease at which she was able to soar her voice over orchestra, chorus and small buildings in a single bound, had this reviewer looking for a cigarette. Her performance made one wonder if the opera should have been called Amneris instead of Aida.

Lisa Daltirus (Aida) and Antonello Palombi (Radames) Photo: © Rozarii Lynch

Antonello Palombi’s rich tenor voice portrayed both the strong, conquering hero as well as the tender lover with equal success. Radames was a man’s man and his betrayal by Aida was felt intimately. The final duet between Aida and Radames was a tender and magical moment on stage. Joseph Rawly as the King of Egypt brought the right nobility to the stage while bass-baritone Charles Taylor, is believable (if a bit young) as Aida’s father, Amonasro.

The High Priestess, Priti Gandhi provided a delightful contrast against the lush sounds on the stage at the end of the first Act. Special commendation must be made to the chorus for a truly beautiful performance. Though there were no elephants in the Seattle Opera performance, Speight Jenkins put his faith in Verdi and his faith was repaid. The rich orchestrations so brilliantly conducted by Riccardo Frizza, the colorful and triumphant sets by Michael Yeargan, brilliant choruses, dramatic arias and ensembles made Aida the perfect kickoff to a fantastic Season with Seattle Opera.

For more reviews of the arts in Seattle: http://www.prostamerika.com/EnglishMirrorPages/SeattleEventsEn.html

Sounders Tickets to be Won

Sounders Tickets to be Won

Free to enter, two pairs of tickets are available for each of three upcoming home games. Further details at: http://www.prostamerika.com/Competitions.html

Wagner Comes to Seattle

The International Wagner Competition finals will be held at Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall on August 16th. It is a forerunnner to the 2009 Festival of Wagner in Seattle. For more details see: http://www.prostamerika.com/Wagner.html

Sounders Bid for US Open Cup Final

Sounders Submit their Bid to Host US Open Cup Final

August 4th Seattle Sounders FC submitted their bid today to host the US Open Cup Final should they reach the final. The Sounders face Charleston Battery on August 12th in South Carolina in the semi final. Home advantage for the final which will be played on August 26th goes to the participant who wins a sealed bidding contest. The Sounders are guaranteed at least $60,000 for reaching the final. $50,000 for the achievement itself and another $10,000 for being the USL side that goes the furthest in the tournament.

Bart Wiley, General Manager of the Seattle Sounders, said ....

Full Story: http://www.prostamerika.com/Sounders2008.html