Sigi says bring the noise

By STEPHANIE KLEIN
MyNorthwest.com

Coach Sigi Schmid wants your support Thursday as his team, the Sounders FC, take on the New York Red Bull at Qwest Field.

Schmid told the KIRO Morning News, “We need a little bit of luck, we need a lot of support because that always helps. It helps the boys when they’re playing at home.”

A sellout crowd of more than 32,000 is expected to flood into the stadium for the season opener. Festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. when Seattle mayor Greg Nickels and team owners will lead a march of green and blue clad fans from Pioneer Square to Qwest.

Schmid said he’s counting on the Seahawks 12th Man to carry its spirit on through soccer season. “Up until now, in Major League Soccer, there’s no real cauldron that you worry a lot about going in to and playing. I think we could be the first here in Seattle. I think we could make this a place where teams don’t like to visit because it’s a very tough place to play in.” Schmid added the fans are an integral part of the game, “it’s one of those sports where I think fans definitely play a big role. They can definitely motivate the players. They’re almost in-sinc with each other and connected. That’s something that makes soccer special. That’s a connection I want to see us get between our fans and our players.”

The team has already sold more than 20,000 season tickets and will host the 2009 MLS Cup. “This has always been a very vibrant soccer market. Being able to be here and return big time, major league soccer to this area, I think, is fantastic for the fans,” said Schmid.

As far as New York goes, Schmid faced the team at the end of last season and expects some similar trends from the coaching staff. “My hope is we end up with the same result and I’ll be very pleased,” said Schmid. “We want to win. We want to compete.”