Columbus Crew Visits Seattle

Guillermo Barros Schelotto is one of the true legends of MLS soccer. He is shown here during Columbus' 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake last week. Seattle Sounder defenders are certain to be watching Schelotto closely given past performance standards of the 36-year-old veteran forward. Schelotto will lead Columbus into action Saturday night at Qwest Field against a team led by Sigi Schmid, whose last coaching stop before coming to Seattle was in Ohio heading the Crew.Begin Slideshow

MLS Seattle Sounders: A Quick Endurance Test and a Bad Call

Some people, based on appearance, cannot easily be pinpointed. Their appearances do not provide clues to their professions. This cannot be said about Sigi Schmid, veteran MLS coaching legend who currently patrols the sidelines for the Seattle Sounders FC. Take a good look at Schmid and you see appearance mirroring profession. Schmid has enough of that gray hair that coaches get from all those agonizing and tense moments when games are in a deciding stage, as well as the shock and disappointment when things do not go according to plan despite the most extensive preparation. Then there are those lines of care, developed from years on the firing line. From exposing oneself to public opinion and the give and take of coaching in the MLS, a position sustained by making solid and correct choices. In short, Schmid looks like a Major League Soccer coach. He has seen it all and last week there was an occasion to try any coach’s patience. It was one of those moments that puts gray hairs on one’s head and lines of care on one’s face. Action ended last Thursday in Frisco, Texas with the scoreboard showing a 2-2 deadlock between host Dallas and visiting Seattle. On some occasions a tie ...

Sounders Marching Goalward: Young Speedsters, Experienced Midfielder

Three players generate consistent excitement when they emerge onfield in Seattle Sounders FC uniforms. Two are emerging young stars with bright futures who use impressive speed to work goalward. The third is a veteran with a longstanding tradition of excellence. He serves in the capacity of distributor, aiding the two dashing young forwards as they drive energetically toward goals. Together the blend of special magic emerges that makes soccer special. Hard work blends with gifted talent to produce goals and make Emerald City fans cheer with rabid gusto. Begin Slideshow