Champions League Draw Announced

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was more interested in the Sounders CONCACAF Champions League matches than for the two friendlies with Boca Juniors and Celtic. I stand here today even more excited by the possibilities after learning on the draw. First off, we have to win a two game series against a yet-to-be-named Central American foe. The team was originally slotted to to from El Salvador but due to some FIFA restrictions on the Salvadoran federation, an alternate team may be used. Regardless, this I think has to be a series the Sounders are favored to win. I doubt any player on the yet to be named team will have the skill of Ljungberg, Keller, Montero, Hurtado or Alonso. We should move on (if we don't then heads should roll) and if we do, we will then be in a group with Monterrey of Mexico, Costa Rican super power Saprissa and Marathon of Honduras. This group is stacked and that's a great thing for two reasons.

First, it provides the Sounders with an opportunity to show their quality to the entire region. Adrian Hanauer said it was a goal to complete in the World Club Championship within five years - this is where we need to start to accomplish this goal. Second, it means an additional 3 home games against some high quality opponents. The quality won't be of Boca Juniors or Celtic, but the games will have meaning. There will be no hockey style substitutions at halftime. There will be hard tackles. There will be rowdy fans. There will be no smiling after the game if we lose. This is what I wanted from the season - a chance to play quality opponents from our region in a competition that matters.

That last part is something I want to mention again - the CONCACAF Champions League is a competition that matters. It may not have the prestige of the European Champions League. It may not be taken serious by most MLS clubs, but we can be sure that Seattle will take it seriously. And as fans we need to take it seriously. I understand the league is the primary focus but how great would it be for this team to be able to say they advanced out of the group stage and were one of the best 8 teams in the entire North American, Central American and Carribean. That is powerful stuff.

Before I head to bed for the night, here's hoping that the front office allows at least one group stage game to be at Qwest should we make it past the yet-to-be-name Central American team in the qualifying round.