A-league championship: Sounders win, wonder

by Elliott Almond
Seattle Times staff reporter

Amid a champagne-drenched celebration on a warm autumn evening at Memorial Stadium, few of the Seattle Sounder soccer players were considering the future, one that could include the breakup of the two-time A-League champions.

But as the euphoria fades from yesterday's 2-0 victory over the Rochester Raging Rhinos in the A-League championship game, the reality is this: A group that has grown up playing and promoting the sport in Seattle might be moving on.

"More likely, we'll have more young energy (next season) than before," managing director Tor Takaki Taylor said.

About half of this year's championship team is expected to return to continue the Pacific Northwest's strong soccer tradition.

But for some who toiled together in the region's amateur leagues before coming together with the Sounders, it was a bittersweet moment before 7,027, the largest crowd this season.

Few want to leave Seattle but realize their futures are in Major League Soccer, or in professional leagues in Europe and Japan. As long as Seattle remains a minor-league soccer city, some see little choice but to play elsewhere.

Forward Jason Ferrell, whose brilliant cross led to the first of Joey Leonetti's two goals, is being considered by a Japanese professional league and MLS, America's premier league.

The cat-like Leonetti also could leave for MLS. He played for the Los Angeles Galaxy for a month this year before being dropped and landing in Seattle.

And forward Niall Thompson, who gave the Sounders a late-season boost, could play in England.

"Playing in Europe is what we dreamed about while growing up," said Marcus Hahnemann, a goalkeeper from Newport High School and Seattle Pacific University.

Hahnemann, 24, expressed the sentiments of practically every A-League player when he said he wanted to leave to play against the best.

"The players all feel they deserve that, but realistically, some are a good fit for MLS (or Europe), but not all of them," Taylor said.

At least for one day, all the Sounders were glad to be in Seattle, enjoying back-to-back championships.

Although the team finished third in the regular season and lost star forward Chance Fry to a broken leg, it jelled in the playoffs with the help of midfielder David Hoggan, 34, who came out of retirement to give the Sounders a boost.

He, too, is not expected to return next season.

"Two championships in two years to end my career," Hoggan said. "That's it for me - I hope."

Hoggan injected needed enthusiasm in the waning moments of yesterday's match, which dragged because of lackluster play.

During an injury break, Hoggan called the team together and told them, "It's my last chance to win a championship. Let's do it now."

The message seemed to wake the slumbering Sounders. They began penetrating the Rhino defense and in the 72nd minute, Ferrell broke loose on the right wing. The defense collapsed on him as Leonetti sprinted toward the center of the penalty area.

Although sandwiched between defenders, Leonetti lunged at Ferrell's pass. He scored with a kick over the shoulder of reserve goalkeeper Rett Thompson, who was playing because starter Bill Andracki collided with the goal post while blocking a shot. He suffered facial wounds and was treated and released at Virginia Mason Hospital.

In the 84th minute, Niall Thompson set up the wide-open Leonetti with a cross. Rochester's Thompson lunged for the ball and left the goal open for an easy shot.

"I just got lost in the shuffle," said Leonetti, who controlled the ball with his chest and then slammed it in. "Everyone was watching the goalie."

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company