It’s no surprise that the topic of personnel came up in the conversation with Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer today. The reports that national team member Freddy Adu might be coming back to MLS at Chivas USA is seen as a good thing for the league. And of course, it raises the lingering question about whether any similar starpower might be bound for Seattle.

On Adu and other new talent coming into MLS: I think the league continues to gain momentum, to gain credibility. I just continue to think that as long as we keep working hard and

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We got a little time with Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer today to discuss a couple of items that I’ve blogged on earlier:

The MLS broadcast deal with NBC: “It’s exciting. Versus – NBC Sports – is in a lot more homes, which ultimately is good for us. I think Fox has been a very good partner, still is a good partner for this year. Obviously time will tell, but with the infrastructure and the capacity to promote our league within the NBC family of networks, I think it will end up being a good thing.”

Livestrong Sporting …

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With Freddie Ljungberg returning to Seattle on Saturday as a member of the Chicago Fire, we got some time today to discuss his brief time as a Sounder with general manager Adrian Hanauer.

Some highlights of that conversation:

On Ljunbgerg’s legacy:
“I think Freddie played a big part in helping us launch the franchise. It was a big signing in a roll out of a bunch of big announcements for this club, whether it was signing Kasey Keller or a partnership with Xbox or KING 5 or Kevin Calabro. There were a bunch of big announcements that helped

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Strategy Magazine, a Canadian marketing publication, has honored Toronto FC as its “Brand Of The Year” for 2009. According to this story on MLSnet.com, “the magazine cited TFC’s courting of Toronto’s large multi-cultural community, sponsorship from such soccer-friendly brands as Carlsberg and adidas, and its use of fan input from the early days of the club as just some of the reasons behind the honor.
Toronto FC joined Major League Soccer with a bang in 2007, breaking attendance and merchandising records en route to instantly becoming one of the most-recognized soccer clubs in North America. As the team …

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Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer says he and the club are happy with the MLS decision to take a two-week pause in its 2010 season during group play in the World Cup.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” Hanauer said this morning as the Sounders trained at Qwest Field. “I think it’s another step in the right direction for our league. It was a discussion at the competition-committee level and then the board of governors. I think it’s great. Those players that play can go without worrying about their club team. Staffs can actually go to the …

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Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer lifted the U.S. Open Cup at Qwest Field tonight, as the Sounders’ victory over D.C. United was honored between the first and second quarters of the Seahawks exhibition game tonight against Oakland.

Hanauer raised the Cup along with a handful of players, who were shown on the stadium replay boards. Later, midfielder Brad Evans said a few words as part of the local KING telecast.

“It’s teams from all over the country that are invited to play in this Cup,” Evans said, “And we come out with a trophy.”

The football broadcasters also asked Evans …

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