PRESS RELEASE: Starfire Sports & Steve Zakuani Partner on Youth Soccer Tournament

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Starfire Sports & Steve Zakuani’s Kingdom Hope will inspire youth soccer players to dream big and give big at the 2012 XTREME Cup.

TUKWILA, Wash.—June 11, 2012—The XTREME Cup will see over 1,000 local youth soccer players come out to compete, but the event will touch their lives outside the blows of the whistle. This year, tournament teams will be inspired to live out their soccer dreams, while making opportunities for others to do the same.

“Starfire Sports and Kingdom Hope believe that soccer can change the lives of those who play it, and think it is important that anyone who has the desire to play should not be limited by means or lack of support,” said Teddy Mitalas, Starfire Sports Director of Business Development and Tournaments “We are excited to partner with an organization that is founded on these same principals, and can help us share those ideals with these players.”

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani founded Kingdom Hope in an effort to extend the support system that allowed him to believe in himself and achieve the dream he is living today. “It is my passion in life to help as many people as I can realize their dreams the way that I have, and inspire them to become great achievers in all areas of life,” Zakuani, said. “Partnering with Starfire Sports on the XTREME Cup will allow me to encourage local youth to realize their dreams as soccer players, but also help them grow as leaders and community members.”

During the tournament Zakuani will talk with tournament participants about his inspirational journey in the sport of soccer. Other members of the Sounders FC squad will join him to sign autographs and interact with attendees. Tournament teams will also work together, creating opportunities for others to actualize their soccer dreams, through fundraising efforts supporting Kingdom Hope’s programming and scholarship funds.

Through the event, Starfire Sports and Kingdom Hope plan to impact over one hundred and fifty kids next year by funding Kingdom Hope clinics and sponsorships.

Starfire will provide all teams that register for the XTREME Cup the tools to get players and their family members involved in the fundraising process. Every team that holds a fundraiser will receive recognition at the tournament, and prizes will be awarded to teams that raise the most. In addition to the team fundraising, Starfire Sports will donate $50 for every team that registers.

For registration and additional information about the XTREME Cup, visit www.starfiresports.com.

 

About Starfire Sports

Starfire Sports is a non-profit corporation delivering opportunities for every member of our community to enjoy the ultimate soccer experience. Starfire delivers diverse programming for youth and adults, knowledgeable and professional staff, and a safe and engaging environment for social interaction and community building. In addition, financial assistance programs, equipment donations and partnerships with other local and national non-profit organizations mean that all our community’s youth have access to world-class soccer facilities—regardless of economic background.

For more information, visit www.starfiresports.com

 

About Kingdom Hope

Kingdom Hope is an organization founded by Steve Zakuani with the purpose of helping and inspiring young people to pursue and achieve their goals through the sport of soccer.

This purpose will be accomplished through local soccer clinics, camps & tournaments through which Steve and other professional players will speak into the lives of these young people and bring alongside mentors to walk with and encourage them.

Kingdom Hope is also in the process of establishing a scholarship fund that will provide support to people pursuing higher education.

The culmination of Steve’s vision will be in the development of state-of-the-art facilities (first in England, then possibly in Africa and the U.S.), that will be a residential training facility committed to the holistic development of players (physical, educational & emotional) to bring them opportunities which they might not have access to on their own.

For more information, visit www.kingdom-hope.org

First Draw Of The Season For Sounders Women

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The Sounders Women played to a scoreless draw against the Vancouver Whitecap tonight at Starfire. This was the first draw of the season for the Sounders, bringing their record to 4-0-1. A few scoring opportunities presented themselves–most notably a strike from Stephanie Cox that rocketed off the post–but no goals resulted. Sounders GK, Katie Hultin’s excellent performance kept the Whitecaps from collecting a win.

Next Game: Sunday, June 17th at 4:00pm vs LA Strikers

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Sounders FC 5, Cal FC 0 in 4th Round US Open Cup Match

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Tonight’s match started off a bit slow, but it sure didn’t stay that way. 

Heading into half time, the score sat at 0-0 as most of the play happened in the midfield, with few attacking opportunities for either team. But, the second half was a very different story.

The first goal of the game came from Osvaldo Alonso on a PK resulting from a Cal FC hand ball, which started an onslaught of goals as a total of five were scored in the span of 20 minutes. The 2nd goal in the series came from Montero on a Cordell Cato assist in the 58th minute. In the 65th, Andy Rose landed a ball in the back of the net. A question of passive offsides threatened to waive a 2nd Fredy Montero goal scored off a free kick, but it was counted. And, finally, Alonso’s 2nd goal of the game finished off the 5-0 score thanks to an assist from Alex Caskey in the 70th minute.

The Sounders will face the San Jose Earthquakes in the Quarterfinals of US Open Cup play. As of now, the match is set to take place at Kezar Stadium on June 26th.

 

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Sounders Women Remain Undefeated With Win Over Rapids

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The Sounders Women faced the Colorado Rapids Women in their 2nd home match of the regular season. The Sounders started off very strong, knocking in two goals within the first 10 minutes of play. Morgan scored the first goal off an assist from Kara Kuttler, and logged an assist on the 2nd by Lyndsey Patterson. The 2-0 score held until the 86th minute, when Stephanie Cox launched a fantastic ball past the Rapids keeper for the final goal of the game.

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Sounders Reserves fall to Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-1

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The Sounders suffered a reserve team match defeat to the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps tonight at Starfire with a final score of 2-1. Although the result was disappointing, the Sounders organization and fans can be excited since Steve Zakuani made a return to the pitch for a full 45 minutes. Zakuani’s familiar face was coupled with 5 players from the Sounders U-18 Academy team that got the call up for the match.

The teams traded possession and attacking opportunities in the first half, but Vancouver opened the scoring in the 26th minute when defender Carlyle Mitchell rose to head home a corner kick. The Sounders created dangerous chances but could not find the back of the net before halftime. The loss cannot be faulted to Sounders GK Andrew Weber as he made a slew of saves throughout the game including a 1 on 1 breakaway chance in the 59th minute. Despite his heroics, he was beaten once more in the 72nd minute off another set piece header by Mitchell—this time off a free kick. The lone Sounders goal came from the play of two academy players as midfielder Aaron Kovar got in behind the defense on the wing before placing a perfect cutback pass for forward Dom Dismuke to blast into the net in the 82nd minute. A late flurry of pressure from the Sounders came unrewarded as the final whistle blew.

The Sounders players could not hide some disappointment at the loss as they walked off the pitch, however, a healthy return of Zakuani combined with the successful play of some academy players must give all spectators a sense of hope for the future.

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Sounders Women Top Rush in Home Opener

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Tonight at Starfire, the Sounders Women faced off against the Colorado Rush in their first home game of the regular season. All the big names took the field, with Hope Solo, Kate Deines, Kelli Smith, Lindsey Johnson, Stephanie Cox, Megan Rapinoe, M Winters, Veronica Perez, M Manthey, Sydney Leroux, and Alex Morgan making up the starting 11.

Throughout much of the first half, the Sounders held solid possession and launched several shots on goal, but the lone goal came from Megan Manthey on an assist from Sydney Leroux. A great save by Hope Solo in the 41st minute kept the Sounders lead going into halftime.

A goal from Veronica Perez in the 48th minute put the Sounders Women up 2-0 early in the 2nd half. Colorado brought the score to 2-1 in 61st minute, putting pressure on the Sounders to maintain their lead. The Sounders held their ground and the score remained 2-1 as the whistle sounded the end of the game.

Next Sounders Women Home Game: June 4th vs Colorado Rapids Women, 7:30pm at Starfire Sports

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Sounders Advance in Open Cup with 5-1 win over Silverbacks

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The Sounders began their run for a 4th consecutive Open Cup championship tonight at Starfire. The action was limited in the first half of the game, but a goal by Andy Rose in the final minutes put the Sounders up 1-0. Things picked up in the 2nd half, with a goal by Osvaldo Alonso 2 minutes in. Atlanta’s Reinaldo Navia scored in the 52nd minute, putting a potential upset in reach with the score sitting at 2-1, but Alex Caskey answered almost immediately with a goal in the 54th. 2 more goals–both by Man of the Match, Sammy Ochoa–clinched the win for the Sounders squad, who remain undefeated in Open Cup games played on Starfire pitch.

The Sounders will face Cal FC at Starfire next week in the next round of US Open Cup play. Cal FC ousted the Portland Timbers in a 1-0 extra time win to advance. Ticket information coming soon.

 

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Sounders Women 3, UW 1 in Preseason Match

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Sounders Women and University of Washington Women faced off tonight in a hard fought battle. Heading into the 2nd half, both teams were scoreless. The action picked up in the 2nd half, as UW became the first team to score on the Sounders Women this season, but goals from Lyndsey Patterson, Veronica Perez and Alex Morgan clinched the win for the Sounders.

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PRESS RELEASE: Starfire Sports Announces Partnership Agreement

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Starfire Sports and adidas unite around passion for delivering the ultimate soccer experience.

TUKWILA, Wash—May 3, 2012—Starfire Sports announced a partnership agreement with adidas and Sounders FC to celebrate the passion of the world’s game that permeates the Starfire campus.

“We’re all about delivering the ultimate soccer experience for every player, with an emphasis on creating opportunities for youth to play on a world-class stage regardless of their economic situation,” said Chris Slatt, Starfire Sports Founder and CEO. “We are very excited to partner with adidas – the most passionate and pre-eminent soccer brand in the world, and with their support we will be able to maintain and further enhance the world-class experience that is Starfire.”

Dedication to the sport and a shared commitment to excellence make for a perfect pairing in Starfire Sports and adidas. “With their world-class soccer campus, programs, and as the home of the Seattle Sounders FC, Starfire is the epicenter of soccer in the Seattle area,” said Antonio Zea, director of soccer for adidas America. “We are thrilled to be partnering with an organization that is as passionate about soccer as we are.”

The first phase in the partnership is the branding and launch of adidas Field on the Starfire campus. The field features a 44-yard long mural displaying six of soccer’s most passionate stars from across the globe—Nani, Kasey Keller, Lionel Messi, David Villa, Fredy Montero, and Kaká.

“As a partner to both Starfire Sports and adidas, the Sounders FC applaud their efforts to further enhance the campus and broaden programs to build the local soccer community, ” said Sounders FC owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer.  “We are truly proud to call Starfire home.”

Additional partnership details will be released later this summer.

 

ABOUT STARFIRE SPORTS:

Starfire Sports is a non-profit corporation delivering opportunities for every member of our community to enjoy the ultimate soccer experience. Starfire delivers diverse programming for youth and adults, knowledgeable and professional staff, and a safe and engaging environment for social interaction and community building. In addition, financial assistance programs, equipment donations and partnerships with other local and national non-profit organizations mean that all our community’s youth have access to world-class soccer facilities—regardless of economic background.

For additional information, visit www.starfiresports.com

 

ABOUT ADIDAS:

adidas is the global leader in soccer and partners with the world’s greatest soccer clubs and federations including Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Germany and Japan.  adidas is an official partner of FIFA, UEFA, Major League Soccer and the Confederations of African Football.  adidas also sponsors world-class athletes like Lionel Messi, David Villa, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Xavi, Frank Lampard, Andres Guardado, David Beckham, Jozy Altidore, Brek Shea, Fredy Montero, Juan Agudelo and Omar Gonzalez among others.

For additional information, visit www.Facebook.com/adidasSoccer

 

ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

The Seattle Sounders FC became Major League Soccer’s 15th franchise and began play in 2009.

The Sounders FC are the only club in league history to qualify for the playoffs in the first three seasons.  In addition, the Sounders FC became the first club in 42 years and the fourth altogether to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times in a row and broke the 98-year-old tournament’s single game attendance record with 35,615 for the final, a 2-0 win over Chicago.

For the third consecutive year, the Sounders FC shattered its own MLS regular season attendance record, averaging 38,496 in 2011; up from an average of 36,173 fans in 2010.

The team launched the first true “Democracy in Sports” in America, empowering the club’s members association, Sounders FC Alliance, to have a say in the direction of the franchise, including a vote on retention or lack of confidence for the general manager every four years.

For more information visit www.SoundersFC.com

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Media Contact:
Chanie Sandman
Director of Marketing, Starfire Sports
206.267.6411
email