Adrian Hanauer announces the Sounders will enter the USL Pro with a stand alone, independent team during a press conference on Oct. 14, 2014 in Seattle. They will be called Sounders 2 and play at Starfire. (Mark Harrison / The Seattle Times)
The Sounders will have a minor-league affiliate named Sounders 2 that will begin action in USL Pro next season and play its matches at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, the club announced Tuesday at Chihuly Garden and Glass.
“Sometimes it’s a big jump from college to the pros,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. “Sometimes, it’s an even bigger jump from the academy to the pros.”
The team is aimed, at least in part, to help bridge that development gap.
The club also announced the formation of the Sounders Community Trust, a fan-owned group that will have a 20-percent stake in Sounders 2.
“This is the next evolution of fan involvement, of holding our toes to the fire, of making sure the S2 ownership is well looked after,” Sounders owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer said.
More details to follow.