Ex-MLS duo lifts Sounders to final

It must have felt like a kick to the curb. But, in essence, the demotion from Major League Soccer has turned into a limousine ride for Seattle Sounders Josh Gardner and Taylor Graham.

Both players were released by MLS clubs in 2007. Graham was let go near midseason from the New York Red Bulls and Gardner before the season from the Los Angeles Galaxy.

But both players landed on their feet in Seattle, which is on the verge of a dynasty with three United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division title appearances in four seasons.

"When I got here, I looked around and they're training a bunch of MLS rejects, so I knew we'd be pretty good," said Gardner with a laugh. "You kind of feel like you're getting demoted, but I was happy to be on a team that wanted me."

Graham, 27, and Gardner, 25, are two big reasons the Sounders (26-9-7) are on the verge on the franchise's fourth league title. Seattle hosts the Atlanta Silverbacks (16-10-11) tonight at 7 at Starfire Sports Complex for the USL First Division title.

"I wouldn't want to play anywhere else in the USL," said Graham, who helped Seattle win the USL First Division crown in 2005 with tough defense. "It was a privilege to be here in 2005. It was comforting to have a team and guys to fall back on.

"It's always tough to be told to leave a place, especially when you have friends and enjoy the scene in a place like New York."

Graham, a fifth-year pro, and Gardner, in his fourth season, added to the MLS factor in Seattle, joining former MLS players Leighton O'Brien, Danny Jackson, Roger Levesque and Andre Schmid. Sounders forward Sebastien Le Toux, who Friday was named USL First Division MVP, was cut from FC Dallas before this season.

"A lot of players don't have the privilege of playing in a final four times," said Graham, who overcame offseason knee surgery to return to top form. "I have a lot of friends still here from the 2005 championship team. I'm having fun.

"People here make it pretty apparent how fun and how lucky we are to be doing what we're doing."

The attitude mixes well with a deep talent pool.

"This a great team, and we've got great facilities," said Gardner, who brought a strong left-footed presence to the left wing and on corner kicks. "My agent said Seattle would be the best place for me, and I trusted him."

Gardner believes wins over the MLS's Chivas USA and Colorado prove the Sounders could hang with any team.

"You already see MSL looking to expand, and Seattle is in contention," Gardner said.

Both players are looking to be part of their third major U.S. title in tonight's championship. Gardner won a pair of titles when the Galaxy won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup in 2005 and Graham was part of the Kansas City Wizards' Open Cup run in 2004 and the Sounders in 2005.

Graham brings tough defense and a 6-foot-4 presence near the goal on set pieces, scoring twice in 21 matches this season. Gardner is great passer who tallied three goals and five assists.

Notes

• First-year Sounder Sebastien Le Toux, 23, was announced the USL First Division Most Valuable Player at Friday's media luncheon. He tied for the league lead in goals with 10 and finished second in scoring with 22 points. Previous Seattle MVPs: O'Brien (2002), Mark Baena (1998) and Peter Hattrup (1995).

• Seattle's Brian Schmetzer was nominated for Coach of the Year, but it went to Portland's Gavin Wilkinson. Kenji Treschuk of the Sounders was up for Rookie of the Year, which was won by Jay Needham of Puerto Rico. Atlanta's David Hayes won Defender of the Year.

• The Sounders and Starfire are adding about 1,700 portable bleacher seats, allowing capacity of about 4,000. Sounders officials are expecting a sellout, but $20 bleacher seats were available Friday afternoon.

Today

Sounders vs. Atlanta, USL First Division final, Tukwila's Starfire Sports Complex, 7 p.m.