Seattle Chosen For MLS Expansion

NEW YORK - Major League Soccer unveiled plans for expansion into the Pacific Northwest today, with the historic announcement by MLS Commissioner Don Garber that Seattle is home to the League's 15th team.

The Seattle team will be owned by Hollywood movie studio executive Joe Roth, Seattle Sounders Managing Partner Adrian Hanauer, actor Drew Carey and Vulcan Sports and Entertainment (VSE), the owner of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Seattle's MLS team will begin play in 2009 and will host its home games at Qwest Field.

Seattle has a storied soccer tradition as it was home to the Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League from 1974 until 1983. The city currently hosts the Seattle Sounders of the USL First Division. The Sounders have been crowned Champions of the USL First Division two of the past three years including 2007, and have produced MLS players such as Houston's Brian Ching and Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo.

MLS plans to expand to 16 teams by 2010 and could feature as many as 18 clubs by 2012. Expansion conversations continue with more than a dozen communities throughout the United States and Canada. Commissioner Garber will discuss each market at his year-end state of the league address on Friday, Nov. 16 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The MLS Seattle team will play their home matches at Qwest Field. The upper bowl will be covered to create a more intimate atmosphere. With a seating capacity of 24,500 for MLS matches, soccer fans will enjoy excellent views in a complex that was initially built with the highest level of soccer in mind.

Seattle's name, logo and colors will be unveiled at a later date, along with the coaching staff. Fans desiring more information on the new Seattle Major League Soccer team or season ticket availability should visit www.mlsinseattle.com.