We got about 20 minutes on the phone today with Sounders coach Sigi Schmid, talking about the signing of new goalkeeper Michael Gspurning and other off-season personnel moves.

Here’s most of that conversation:

On the pursuit of Gspurning, which he says began while on a European trip with his wife about a year ago: We wanted to bring in an experienced keeper, a veteran keeper, a keeper who brought some experience with him.

On if Gspurning will be the starter: Our expectation is that he’s going to be able to start. That’s the reason that we’re bringing him in. …

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Q: Was the Sounders’ third season a success?

A: By most definitions it was. The club went 18-7-9, which was the best of their three seasons and second best in MLS this year. They won a third straight U.S. Open Cup. They advanced out of group play in CONCACAF Champions League.

The Sounders did it despite the retirement of designated player Blaise Nkufo – remember him? – and almost season-long injuries to Steve Zakuani and O’Brian White. The club compensated by signing Mauro Rosales and developing Lamar Neagle.

They also built on their MLS-record attendance for the third straight season, this time drawing an average of 38,496 per home game. On Oct. 15, they set a club record for a regular-season game as 64,140 turned out to honor Kasey Keller. On Nov. 2, they set a club record for a playoff game when 36,021 showed up to watch what turned out to be the final game of the season.

And that’s about the only way that this season wasn’t a success. In their third straight try, the Sounders again were unable to extend their season beyond the first round.

Making the playoffs seemed quite an achievement in the expansion season, and maybe even the next. But this time around the early exit was a stain. And it will remain so until it is erased by advancing.

Q: Does 2012 figure to be the year that happens? Read more »

My story in today’s News Tribune takes a look at the Sounders’ off-season, which began about 19 days before the club had hoped.

However, even at that, it will be a short off-season. Especially this time around with CONCACAF Champions League and MLS both resuming in early March.

Here are some key dates:

SOUNDERS DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday: CONCACAF quarterfinal draw
Nov. 20: MLS Cup
Nov. 21: Expansion protected list due
Nov. 23: Montreal expansion draft
Jan. 12: MLS SuperDraft
Jan. 17: Supplemental draft
March 6-8: Start

…

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