If anyone is in Issaquah this Sunday, May 23rd, come check me out from Noon – 1:30 pm at the AT&T store.

6150 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE Suite A
Issaquah, WA 98027

Hey Everybody,

On the eve of the big game against  Columbus I thought I would take some time to answer the questions I promised young Caleb at the Boys and Girls club breakfast.

Question 1  Why do I enjoy playing soccer?

I guess the first assumption is that I enjoy playing soccer.  Your lucky because I do, but after having this sport be my job for so long that might not have been the case.  What might be surprising for you to find out is that I don’t really enjoy the game!  I really enjoy when the game is over and the team has won and I haven’t made a mistake.  I truly enjoy the camaraderie with my teammates and the fun we have at training.  Games are just to stressful to enjoy.

Question 2  Was there a time in your early life when you overcame something difficult or a failure and how did you overcome it?

First of all, the only athlete who hasn’t had to overcome a failure is one who has never played.  You will lose games.  You will make a mistake that loses the game for your team.  If this is going to hold you back you might as well stop playing before you start.  I was cut from the under 16 youth World Cup team by a coin toss.  Did it hurt?, of course, but sometimes you need little setbacks to motivate you to work harder.

See you all tomorrow at the game and give us your full 90

Kasey

Hey Everybody,

Well, not the results we were hoping for, and I definitely thought we deserved more from this road trip, so it was very frustrating.

Let’s start with Dallas.  Some of the game is a little blurry so I will do my best to give you the part that I remember.  Things were going pretty well, not much action at either end for the first 20 minutes.  Then a few minutes later I was involved in a collision with the Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham.   The fore mentioned collision resulted in a penalty for Dallas and a slight concussion for yours truly.  Jeff scored the pen, and I was trying hard to shake the cobwebs from my head.  As the half progressed I was losing the battle.  By the end of the half I was unable to focus my vision and I was worried that I was going to be a liability  for the team if  I continued to play.  With the game tied 1-1, I felt it was best to come out of the game.

After taking the lead early in the half, it looked like Terry and the boys would hold the lead and we were going to get our three points.  That all changed with the second penalty decision for Dallas.  I still haven’t seen the call, but from what  I hear we might have been a little unlucky to have that one go against us.

Friday morning after an appointment with the eye doctor to make sure I was good to fly, and the rest of the guys had a cool down, we were back to the airport on a flight to Toronto.  I experienced something new here with the MLS that I never had as a player in all my years in Europe.  After my  first concussion in Europe I drove myself home caked in dried blood and my wife got a phone call telling her to keep on eye on me, and then I reported for the game the next day.  When I told the staff I was still feeling sick and not seeing well they told me to warm up and see how I felt.  Literally, I was seeing double, told the coaches, and they told me to go for the ball in the middle.  No joke.  Luckily things have improved greatly since my first years as a pro, and I have learned that as a player you need to be smart enough to take yourself out of a game if you don’t think you are all there, and that staying on the field may jeopardize the result.  It is also good to see that teams realize the health of safety of their players comes before anything else, maybe litigation has played a little into that, but that aspect of the game has definitely improved.

Now, as players we are given a base line test at the beginning of the season to test different brain functions.  I am sure there is a more technical description, but the basic idea is that if you suffer a concussion you are given the same test, and depending on your results the doctors can determine if it is safe for you to play.  I had this test Saturday morning. It turned out okay and  I was cleared to play on Sunday.

We felt good going into the game and confident about scoring on the road, but things were not to be again, this time it was more of our own doing.

By all accounts we played pretty well, had some good chances to score and limited their opportunities.  In the second half an untimely mistake (Is their ever a timely one?) and a bit of skill from DeRosario and we found ourselves a goal down against the run of play.  Another chance or two went begging for the equalizer and they hit us with the second.  We couldn’t recover and it was back home with only one point in the two games.

Back in Seattle today I was fortunate enough to be a part of a great event this morning.  It was a  big fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County.  A great organization that I love being able to help however I can.  For everyone who gave your support thank you.  For Caleb the little boy I spoke with at the breakfast, check the blog the next couple of days and I promise I will answer your two questions.

Kasey

Hey Everybody,

One thing is for sure, nobody is going to be leaving our games early.  With back to back games with injury time goals, we sure know how to make it exciting.

With last weeks disappointment at conceding in the last minute to draw against RSL it sure was nice to score the goal this week to produce one of the loudest goal celebrations in MLS history.  The young man who deserves the credit for coming off the bench and raising the level instantly was Michael Fucito.  Making it as a pro is about taking advantage of the opportunities that you are given.  First, you have to make the impression in training and reserve games to be given the chance to come into a game.  Mike had a great preseason and has worked extremely hard everyday.  That’s what gave him the chance and the confidence of the coaching staff to be willing to put him on the field.  The rest he did all by himself.  Against Philly he was close to scoring and now he has made his mark with a great game winner.  For your first professional goal, it was like someone was writing the perfect story, well done Mike. Lets keep on eye on this kid and see just how far he can make it.

With the huge excitement of the goal, we almost forgot we still had a little time left on the clock! KC took the kickoff and walked right down into our box and was very close to scoring.  This would have been a hammer blow to the players as well as the fans who were behind us the whole game urging us forward to get the game winning goal.  Lets hope that let off will serve as a lesson, and we will remember to concentrate until the final whistle is blown.

This week is a little crazy with back to back road games.  First, Thursday night in Dallas, then Sunday in Toronto.  I am much happier going on the road following a win like that than a draw in the dying seconds.

Have a great week and wish us luck on the road.

Kasey

Hey Everybody,

After taking the lead twice in the game, it was such a huge disappointment  giving away a goal so late from a corner kick.  One of our strong points from last season was our ability to defend set pieces.  This year we have given away two goals in two games from corners, when we didn’t concede a goal from a corner all last season.

In a game where we were dominated for the majority of the game in all statistical categories, it would have been great to take all three points from last years champs at their home opener.  Just like in our game last week against New York, sometimes you dominate a game and come away with nothing.  It would have helped even things out on the season.  In the end, all the pressure Salt Lake put on us finally paid off for them with virtually the last kick, or should I say header of the match.

Because of some bad camera work, I have been asked what led to the last corner.  A shot from a RSL player deflected off one of our players.  I tried to keep the ball from going over the end line, but it was already out. I tried to fool the linesman by bringing the ball back over the line like it never went out, but he was in a good position and made the right call.  In the resulting corner RSL got their reward and 19,000 Real fans went home happy.  Our strong away contingent sang all game as usual giving us the motivation to keep going.  The altitude (over 4200 ft) was taking its toll and our fans kept willing us along.  In the end we came up a few seconds short, but who knows at the end of the season maybe this was the point that pushes us toward the title.  We are finding our rhythm, now it is about putting it all together.

Lets take out the frustration on Kansas City Saturday at Qwest!

Thanks again to all the fans that traveled and everyone watching at home.

Kasey

If anyone wants to come out and support a great cause I will be speaking at the Boys and Girls Club 21st Annual Kids Breakfast on the morning of April 27th. Check out the below link for more information.

http://www.positiveplace.org/media/video/KidBreakfast_Flash/kidbreakfast.html

Hey Everybody,

The plan to have 6 points after the first two games came screeching to a halt. After the win against Philly we were feeling really confident, and with the fans behind us, we felt we had the opportunities to win the game. We want to win every time we step on the field, especially at Qwest. We know this isn’t always possible, but the frustration remains the same. We don’t want to get into any kind of head games about scoring goals two games into the season. We created enough opportunities to score four goals on Saturday. Sometimes the game isn’t fair, you can lead in all the statistics, but only the balls that go in the back of the net count. Throughout my career, I have been on both sides of this situation, and during the season things always seem to equal themselves out. I don’t think you can fault anyone for the effort we put forward, and if we can keep with that same attitude, I think we will come out winners more often than losers.
On a lighter note, in case some of you didn’t read the whole article on the Seahawks website on April 1, they definitely had some people believing that I would be making my NFL debut this year. Probably the best April fools in MLS was a player from Kansas City who was covered in body paint and was doing animal poses instead of posing on an animal like our rookies.
Thanks again for all the support, it was great to see that the league chose us to highlight the start of the season once again. Our fans have set the bar high, and I know after the league meetings in D.C. that the other organizations are hoping to try and replicate what we have here. Every time I step on the field at Qwest for a game it is an honor.
Living the dream…
Kasey

Hello everyone, after a great training we started the season with a win! It was great to be back at Qwest Field and see all of the fans come out in that weather. NW Weather weather that is. Look for a lot of updates coming soon and quite a few pics from behind the scenes. Thanks for everyones comments! Keep them coming.

Looking forward to seeing everyone when we face the Red Bull’s.

Kasey

Hey everybody,
Still down here in sunny Arizona. After a couple hard days of double
training sessions, today we had a good day of fun.
This morning was a head tennis competition, with Zach Scott and his
partner trialist Josh Gardner taking the title. Being the only team
to go undefeated, they were the clear winners.
This afternoon we had a great team golf outing. Very interesting
because this was the first time several of the players had ever picked
up a golf club. With the scramble format it seemed like everyone had
a good time regardless of their abilities. The coaches won this
event, but only because they stacked the deck in their favor. I guess
being in charge has it’s advantages.
Over all a good day. Only one hiccup. Terry Boss turned his ankle in
the head tennis tourney. Xrays proved negative so let’s hope he’s
back in training very soon.
Have a great weekend and have fun watching the Super Bowl.
Kasey

Hey everybody,

We are back in training as of yesterday.  Well, almost everybody, but that looks to have resolved itself as well.

It is great to see all the guys again.  It is a big difference from last year when a whole group of  guys were all getting to know each other, and trying to impress the coaches for a chance to make the team.  This year, we have all the same faces, minus a couple, and a few new guys hoping to make an impression.  In many ways, the first day felt like training had not stopped at all, almost like it was October 2009 and we had only had a weekend off.

My body on the other hand is telling me that I had more than a weekend off.  You can train, lift weights, run, bike, do whatever you think is going to get you ready for preseason, but nothing can get you ready for a full professional  training camp.

The best part about MLS preseason being so long is that the coaches can take a gradual approach toward fitness.  They don’t have to kill us the first week because we have a lot of time to prepare.  At different times for a couple of my teams in Europe we didn’t even touch a ball in the first week of training camp.  I personally spent more summers with the National Team than having to participate in the first week of solid running.  Unfortunately, one summer I wasn’t so lucky and found myself at an army base in Southwest England being trained by drill instructors. Needless to say that wasn’t a lot of fun.  I’ll take a nice cool January day at Starfire anytime.

As February 1st approaches the CBA is on the thoughts of all soccer people across the Nation.  Negotiations are at a delicate stage.  For this reason, we have been asked to keep all public statements to a minimum.  I can report that the players and the owners both agree that nobody on either side wants a work stoppage.  Lets continue the tremendous success Seattle has proven to the sports world.  Soccer has a huge future in the United States.

Keep keeping it real Seattle

Kasey

Hey Everybody,

Where did all the time go?  Seems like just yesterday we were preparing to play the second leg down in Houston.  Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years are all over and the start of preseason is just around the corner.  I found myself on Friday in the indoor facility at VMAC starting to catch a few balls again!  On a wet and nasty Northwest winter day, it sure was nice to be able to use that beautiful indoor field.

It was pretty somber around the facility that day with the firing of Coach Mora that morning.  I had the pleasure to spend some time with Coach on several occasion and was a little surprised that he wasn’t given another season to turn things around.  Sometimes in sports you don’t get the time.   I want to wish Coach Mora all the best and I hope he gets a new Coaching role soon and has a lot of success.

I wish I had some new news on the CBA front.  Some informal meetings have taken place, but nothing significant has happened to bring the sides closer together.  The next round of formal talks are scheduled for Weds. the 13th, and hopefully we can start to reach common ground.  I know the whole soccer community wants to see the season start without delays.

I for one can’t wait to show the new boys from Philly the way the it is supposed to be done, both on the pitch and in the stands.  That process for myself  continues at VMAC again tomorrow for round two of getting back into shape.

Have a great week!

Kasey

Here is a recent article about the CBA I wanted to pass on!

http://www.fifpro.org/news/news_details/122

Kasey