ESPN Classic to Air “History of the MLS Cup”
Tomorrow, ESPN Classic will air a two- hour documentary titled “History of the MLS Cup.” The documentary will air at 4:00 p.m. MT and will take viewers onto the field for the best action from the first 13 MLS Cup matches, including never-before-seen footage and exclusive interviews with players and coaches. Copies of the DVD are available at www.mlsgear.com.
Clean and Green Seattle Event
MLS W.O.R.K.S. has partnered with the City of Seattle to engage the local community in a “Clean and Green Seattle” event. MLS players and executives and Seattle Government officials, Washington Youth Soccer volunteers and Seattle Sounders FC players, executives and fans will plant trees, pick up litter and restore green spaces near Qwest Field. The Clean and Green event is a partnership between MLS W.O.R.K.S. and the City of Seattle, working together to promote the importance of environmental sustainability and volunteerism, attempting to make a difference in the lives of the people of Seattle.
The program, which will include Commissioner Don Garber and select players, will commence at 9:30 a.m. PT. Media members will be able to interview MLS All-Stars from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.PT.
Press Conferences Today to Feature Beckerman, Rimando, Donovan and Beckham
A press conference will be held at Qwest Field after each team’s training session today. Each team’s coach and players not participating in the press conference will be available in a mixed zone format prior to the press conference. Upon the conclusion of the mixed zone access at approximately 11:55 a.m. PT, Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando will address the media in the Post Game Press Room. After the LA Galaxy’s training and mixed zone end at approximately 2:05 p.m., team captain Landon Donovan and midfielder David Beckham will answer questions from media in the same room. Note: This will be the last media access to Donovan and Beckham until after Sunday’s match. As a reminder, only the last 15 minutes of each team’s training session will be open to media. Media members should pick up their credential prior to attending training.
Price is Right to Offer MLS Cup Package
For the first time since the league’s inception, Major League Soccer will be featured in a prize package for a major television game show. Hosted by Seattle Sounders FC investor owner Drew Carey, The Price Is Right airs daily on CBS at 11:00 am to an average of 4.5 million viewers. The episode will air today and will feature an MLS Cup Prize Package that includes a trip to MLS Cup 2009 in Seattle. Airfare, hotel stay and merchandise are included.
MLS Cup Players to Participate in Fish Toss
Before the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake battle it out on the pitch, LA forward Alan Gordon and RSL goalkeeper Chris Seitz will meet at Pike Place Market at 4:00 p.m. PT for an iconic “Tossing of the Fish.” There will be a limited amount of media parking at the Market on 1st and Pike Street, so parking is on a first come, first serve basis. For media covering Friday’s training sessions and press conferences, a shuttle bus will be available for transportation from Qwest Field to Pike Place Market and then to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown after the event.
MLS Cup Game Guide Available
With both the LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake coming from the Western Conference, the dominance of that division in recent MLS Cups will continue. Since 2001, Western Conference clubs have won six of the eight MLS Cups. Until last year’s all-East matchup between Columbus and New York, a 3-1 Crew victory, only D.C. United’s 2004 victory had broken the West’s hegemony. For more analysis, complete rosters, bios, game notes and probable lineups, click here for the MLS Cup Game Guide.
Seattle Weather Update
According to Weather.com, there will likely be rain in Seattle today through Saturday. Matchday forecast shows a 40% chance of precipitation. Temperatures are expected to stay in the mid-40s during the day, and drop to the low-40s at night. Check back tomorrow for an updated weather forecast.
