2000 May 22

From today's Sounders United FC news release:

SOUNDERS UNITED FC PROGRAM IS READY FOR KICKOFF!

The Sounders United FC, featuring U-14, U-16, U-18 Boys and Girls Programs, is ready for kickoff.  This development-training program will address the needs of talented, highly motivated soccer players with aspirations of advancing their game and skills to the highest level.  The program director for Sounders United FC is Chance Fry.

The program begins with tryout, training and testing on May 30, 31 and June 1, 2 at Sammamish High School, 100 - 140th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA:

This program will train a minimum of three times per week in a consistent competitive atmosphere.  This structured program will also play competitive friendly games with teams from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington.  Sounders United FC has intentions of participating in United Soccer League's Super Y League in 2001.  Talented players will have the chance to be evaluated by Werder Bremen of German Bundesliga.

The goal is to create an atmosphere and program which enhances the player's individual skill, physical strength, fitness, field preparation and sportsmanship.

The Sounders are trying to build on their history of professional soccer in the Northwest by expanding from a team concept to a club concept, similar to the teams in Europe.  The Sounders are committed in developing Washington's youth soccer players in the new Sounders United FC program.

Chance Fry is the Director Sounders United FC.  Chance has a distinguished resume in the soccer community as a coach and a former professional player.  He played for the Sounders in the 1980's and 1990's.  He was an important contributor to Seattle's "back to back" championships in 1995 and 1996.  Chance also played with the New York Cosmos and the US National Team.  His coaching background has developed through his own personal clinics and training, select team coaching and Bellevue Community College's inaugural women's soccer program.  Chance has a USSF National "B" coaching license.

As a player, Chance was a first round draft choice of the Seattle Sounders in 1982.  He went on to play for several teams, including the New York Cosmos, San Francisco Bay Blackhawks and again with the Seattle Sounders from 1994 to 1998.  Fry is a former player with the US Men's National Team and currently is on the US Men's 35 and over National Team.  Other coaches for the program are: Kei Kinoshita - current Sounders midfielder, Scott Jenkins - current Sounders defender, Tom Bunnell - 17 years coaching experience, Scott Hall - Director "Scott's Soccer Tots", John Matsushita - ODP Regional Staff Coach, Mike Smith - ODP and Premier Coach.