The Yin and Yang of Sounders FC Ownership

Yesterday that the big fan meet and greet for Freddie Ljungberg at Qwest Field the dynamics of Seattle Sounders FC ownership was clearly on display.

Joe Roth and Adrian Hanauer both took the opportunity to wax philosophical about the sport we love and it is clear that there is a real yin and yang balance between them.

Joe Roth spoke off the cuff. He was clearly a very, very happy man. His bright new shiny toy is clearly more than simply an object for the mantelpiece. The signing of Freddie, following the Keller signing and previous statements make it clear that this is not a man that does anything halfway. Roth has the swagger of the guy who knows what he wants and knows that it takes being bold to really strike a chord with the public. His comments about how when he makes movies he wants everyone to see them draws an obvious correlation about the fanfare surrounding every Sounders FC announcement. He was not afraid to take pot shots at other MLS sides (and Clay Bennett) that the crowd loved, but that could be locker room material in the future. You get the impression Roth is the guy that expects to win and even when he doesn't expects to recoup his losses the next time. Roth's track record in the film industry is remarkable and it is clear that he expects nothing less of his sports ventures.

Hanauer is clearly a man I would not want to play poker with for real money. Although clearly passionate about soccer, it is also clear that he very much plays everything close to the vest and chooses his words very, very carefully. His remarks were by his own admission pre-written, which served to draw my attention to the different ways in which these two men operate. He strikes me as a keen observer that picks his spots. Hanauer's track record with the USL Sounders has been excellent and I would expect it to continue in MLS.

These two men are the regular faces of the ownership group, with Drew Carey popping in from time to time. The decisions and announcements this dynamic has cultivated so far has made the past calendar year one of envy along the Cascadia Cup Corridor. After two years of watching how NOT to treat a city in the news by the ownership of a team that now plays in the shadow of Big 12 football, the Sounders FC ownership group is interesting and refreshing to watch.

Can we kick off the '09 MLS season this Saturday please?