Seattle Sounders FC made it official this morning, announcing the signing of former Arsenal great Freddie Ljungberg as their Designated Player for their inaugural MLS campaign.

Here’s part of his opening statement and answer to a question from today’s press conference:

FREDDIE LJUNGBERG

"I want to mostly say that I’m really happy to be here. I feel so welcomed by everybody, walking around the city a little bit, and all the people here. Especially when I spoke to you all, the interest of soccer they have in this region of the U.S., we talked about it.

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The Sounders have called a press conference for early next week, and according to multiple reports they will announce the signing of former Arsenal great Freddie Ljungberg as their designated player.

Now, Swedish TV us also reporting this.

And so is the UK press.

A designated player and the signing of a coach are the two most logical “major announcements” left for the team. And this doesn’t sound like it’s going to be the coaching announcement.

Meanwhile, we also had more certain roster-affecting news today regarding the coming MLS expansion draft and

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Seattle Sounders FC will add 10 veteran players to its roster Nov. 26, when Major League Soccer holds its expansion draft.

Under league rules, existing teams can protect 11 players from their current rosters, and the Sounders may claim only one player from 10 of those teams.



Those exisiting teams are required to submit their lists of protected players to the League by noon Nov. 24 — and the resulting list of available players will be made public that day.

Full details on the expansion draft rules are available at the MLS

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Seattle Sounders FC will host open tryouts next month… with a twist.

Here’s the information from the MLS team:

The open tryouts will be filmed for a reality based television show which will be televised on BELO properties, including: KING 5, KONG 6/16 and NWCN in late January of 2009. A minimum of three finalists from each market will take part in a televised one-hour tryout in Seattle.

"Chivas USA has utilized the open tryout process very effectively," said Sounders FC Majority Owner Joe Roth. "The 2007 winner plays for Chivas USA and the U.S.

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Tacoma Tide – NCAA players update

The Tacoma Tide roster is riddled with collegiate players who are leading their respective NCAA teams this season. The TacomaFC.com website has just unveiled its first update on these excellent players.

Keep checking the website throughout the off-season because TacomaFC.com will be bringing you news and notes on the standout performances by the Tide while away from their yellow jerseys. Here are some highlights from the first part of the college season.

To check out the update, click www.TacomaFC.com

Portland, Vancouver, Atlanta, Miami, Montreal, Ottawa and St. Louis will compete for the 17th and 18th MLS franchises, expected to begin play early next decade.

Details are available at the official MLS website.



Seattle Sounders FC begin play next year as the 15th team, and Philadelphia will join in 2010.



According to the league: The MLS expansion application required prospective owners to provide information such as details about the applicant’s proposed ownership group, stadium plan and financing, and an analysis of the potential expansion market.



The applications will

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Today is deadline day for submissions from cities interested in becoming the 17th and 18th Major League Soccer markets.

As expected, Portland, Vancouver and the Canadian candidates, will make their pitches.

And suddenly a MLS return to Miami — where the Fusion quickly failed — seems to have moved to the front burner behind the power of FC Barcelona.

And isn’t it nice to be watching all the scrambling from an area already safetly in the MLS family?

The Vancouver Whitecaps won the United Soccer League’s first division championship Saturday, defeating Puerto Rico, 2-1, in B.C.

Here’s the game report.

And here’s hoping Vancouver jumps to to MLS soon. Great rival. Great road city to visit.