On September 7th Seattle Bank will have me at their facility on Queen Anne for an autograph session. Details are below.

Date: Tuesday, September 7th
Time: 5-6pm
Location:
190 Queen Anne Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109

Sitting here in the Houston airport waiting for our flight down to El Salvador. A little tired from last nights game and having to get up early for the flight to Houston from San Jose. Looks like we are starting to put together a pretty good run. 10 points in our last 4 league games. A win the other night in the first leg against Metapan. It’s safe to say the mood in the camp is pretty good. The team has really turned the corner, we are working as a team again. Soccer is a tough sport to try and win with individuals, especially in this league where the competition is so equal in ability. I feel we are in great shape to keep playing better and better. I thought the first 20 minutes last night was the best we have played all year. The new guys are fitting into the team great, both on and off the field. Hopefully we can stay free of injuries and get a couple guys back. I am excited for the rest of the season.

I want to thank everybody who came out to the Ballard QFC to support my new partnership with Muscle Milk. As always the Sounders fans do not disappoint!

Have a great Seafair and see you on Sunday!

Kasey

5700 24th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107

That was a fun night! Multiple reasons for this statement but let’s start with what wasn’t so fun about last night.

First we got stuck in some horrible DC traffic and were a half hour late arriving at the stadium. We have routines when preparing to play and arriving so late throws that all out of whack. Second, after a couple days of heavy rain, the sun came out and created an almost unbearable amount of humidity. It was like playing a match in a steam shower. Next, during the 90 minutes United proceeded to kick the crap out of me. It’s been a long time since I have finished a match with so many body parts in need of repair. Looks like I might be out of the Celtic match but I’m sure I’ll be able to piece myself back together sooner rather than later.

Now on to the good stuff, winning, winning an winning. The fighting team spirit is returning step by step. I’m proud of the effort from the guys under the difficult climate. I’m glad I wasn’t running around in that humidity.

After our result against DC at home it was greatly satisfying to exercise those ghosts. But most importantly it starts us moving in the right direction toward a playoff spot. Along with retaining the Open Cup our main goal has to be getting into the playoffs. We have dug ourselves a hole, but not so deep that we can’t see the top.

Keep the faith Seattle and we will keep the fight.

Kasey

Sorry about the lack of recent updates, things have been a little crazy with the game schedule. Seems like the only time I get anymore is at 36,000 feet.

Where do I start? Let’s go back to the fun of beating Portland in the Open Cup. What a great night for the traveling fans. Penalties are always fun when you win them. (On a side note, what a bad way to get knocked out of a competition.) We moved on and got a chance to revenge the loss to LA in the league a few days earlier. I got a rest that night at Starfire. Terry Boss has been working hard and deserved to get a game. The team showed great energy, just like down in Portland and came away with a much deserved 2-0 win to send us into the semi-finals.

Finally back at Qwest for a home game against Dallas. Things got off to a good start with an early Montero goal, but a second half red card put us under big pressure for a majority of the second half. We came close to the three points but a great strike in the 87th minute by Dallas and we had to settle for a share of the points. Disappointing, but you can’t fault the effort of the team. The boys gave everything to the cause.

Next up is DC. No one is happy about the effort last month at Qwest where DC came away winners. Time for a little payback. If we want to make a run for a playoff position we need to start winning some games. Why not start on Thursday?

Kasey

Not quite sure where to start? Oh my lord was it hot out there! It had been a long time since I have played a match in those conditions. I was just so thankful for the shade in the second half. I would be lying to you if I said the heat wasn’t a contributing factor for the result. Was it the reason why we lost? Of course not but it was definitely a factor. I think this season we have only practiced a couple of times with the weather in the 70s. Talk about a shock to the system.

We just seemed to run out of gas as the game went on. Sure the penalty call on Tyrone was harsh, and our own missed penalty would have regained us the lead. At the moment we are finding ways to lose. Not on purpose and never the same players. We have a collective funk over our heads that we all hoped a little time away would clear. No magic wand will get us back on top. Nothing but good old fashioned hard work! Demand more of yourself, effort is infection! No time to wallow in self pity. In a couple of day we do battle against the old enemy. Nothing could raise the spirits like a win against the Timbers!

Kasey

After a week off, we got back into a great week of training. Even the sun came out once or twice to help brighten up the mood. Everyone came back refreshed and ready to work hard to improve on our first half inconsistencies. I’m writing to you from my seat somewhere over the US at 30 something thousand feet on our way to Philly. The Union are having a difficult season as well, but are looking to improve with this game being the first in their new stadium. It’s our job to play the spoiler. We have taken this role into other stadiums and reveled in this task. Let’s hope Sunday in no different.

On our return from Philly, we jump right into the effort to retain the US Open Cup down in Portland on Wednesday. What a great place to kick off the competition for our fan who will surely make the drive to Portland.

In the break I made a number of appearances around the area to watch World Cup matches. Thank you to Budwieser and Microsoft for making that a reality. It’s been a lot of fun hanging out with the fans but watching the games has been more difficult than I anticipated. Having been an intricate part of the past three World Cups it’s been difficult watching from afar and not having any control of the situations. The team has done great. Taking advantage to the luck when given to them, not giving up when going goals behind, and not letting bad calls from the officials get the best of them. Let’s hope they can keep the dream alive and get the result against Ghana! Go USA!

Kasey

My Friday appearances for the viewing of U.S.A vs Slovenia has been moved to the Attic in Madison Park. I know 7am is early but it’s a great way to start the day!

I will also be at the Hard Rock Cafe on Saturday for the 11:30am game, Cameroon vs Denmark. The Hard Rock is located downtown Seattle near the Pike Place Market and is a great venue to watch a game.

What a difference a couple days make in professional sports.  Last Saturday the team was on a high coming off a great 3-0 win against New England.  A couple good days of training and we are right back at it at home against a struggling DC.  How could this not be the perfect scenario?  Going into the World Cup break with two home wins behind us and moving up the table.  DC had other plans and some bad luck on our part got them off to a good start.

For the first part of the game I was a virtual spectator.  DC collects the ball at the top of the box, fires a shot from 20, the ball takes a wicked deflection and we are a goal down against the run of play.  A few minutes before half time from a similar place, the ball is deflected again,  but only slightly, I think I have it and it somehow eludes my grasp. After a mad scramble the ball and myself end up in the back of the net.  Days later I still can’t believe that ball got away from me.

Now into the second half DC plays a quick free kick, catches us sleeping and an open man guides a perfect header over my head and into the back of the net.  Somehow we find ourselves three goals down in a game at home for no real reason accept personal mistakes and their team takes full advantage.

I was so proud that we didn’t roll over and die, and the fans stayed behind us.  We kept fighting and got the reward with two late goals.  Too little too late, but a great fight back no less.

How terrible it is going into a break coming off a bad performance, especially with all the World Cup appearances I have planned.  A big thanks to the crowd at Doyle’s Public House in Tacoma.  I had a great time hanging out with you guys for the US vs England game.  What a great result for the US.  After a shaky start and going a goal down the US gained their composure to fight back with a draw.  Yes,  they road their luck a little at times and it did take a big mistake by Green the England GK, but lets not take away from the effort of the National Team.  Congrats to Clint, I hope he scores a few more. I’m happy for the result, but from one goalkeeper who is coming off a game after making an error, I hate to see someone else go through what I’m sure Green is going through tonight.  I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. After living in England for so many years I really feel for the guy, I know the press will be brutal, but as a pro you have to suck it up and move on. Making a mistake like that in a World Cup makes it even worse, at least in the league y0u have plenty of opportunities to redeem yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, there were plenty of mistakes in the game by different players, but unfortunately the keeper makes a mistake and no one forgets it.  A striker can miss an open goal, but no one ever blames them for losing the game because they didn’t score.

It was a little strange for me to watch the game on t.v. after so many years of being there,  but it was great to see so many local fans into it. After the game, I got to enjoy the first nice day at the lake. It doesn’t get much better than a sunny day in Seattle.

Looks like I’ll be at Kell’s for the next US game.  So come on down and say hi.  Have a breakfast Budweiser and lets see if the US can build off a great first game result.

Kasey

If you didn’t have a chance to see me in Issaquah the other weekend or at the town all this memorial weekend come by AT&T in Renton. I will be signing autographs between 2 and 3:30 this Sunday, June 6th.

Address:
AT&T Store – Renton Landing
720 N. 10th Street, Suite B
425-271-7964