Sounders model players, official uniform

Seattle Sounders FC already had a reputation for making public announcements and other events full of flair, pizazz and color.

The rave green jerseys, then, were the perfect backdrop for a Fashion Week-style unveiling of the Major League Soccer club's uniforms and apparel Thursday night at the WaMu Theater next to Qwest Field.

Drew Carey, comedian/game show host/Sounders FC minority owner, provided the laughs, and play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro added his wit to the presentation as models, local celebrities and Sounders FC players strutted their stuff on the catwalk in team colors.

The home kit, or uniform, is the rave green jersey with "Sounders Blue" shorts. The away ensemble is blue jerseys with rave green shorts, both tops prominently featuring the team's main sponsor, Microsoft's Xbox 360 Live, on the front and made by Adidas.

That wasn't all the crowd of a few hundred got to see. There was Carey in a "Cascade shale"-colored rain coat. There were shale sweat outfits, a white training top and cap, a rave green hooded sweat shirt and more on display, then a curtain off to one side of the models runway was pulled back to reveal a stand selling the merchandise that was in the show.

The products are now on sale at the team Web site, www.soundersfc.com, and at the Qwest Field Pro Shop.

"I like the loose jackets, because I'm fat," Carey wisecracked. "I love the colors. We want to stand out, not be like the other teams."

Proceeds from ticket sales to the event benefited Seattle's Children's Hospital. Guests mingled in a darkened atmosphere with appetizers and video games at their disposal, then many took their seats for a song from the Sound Wave, the newly-named Sounders FC marching band.

Actress and author Josie Bissett, a Seattle native of TV's "Melrose Place" fame, opened the procession of models as she walked out with her children wearing replica team jerseys.

Sounders FC players Kasey Keller, Sanna Nyassi and Sebastien Le Toux also modeled, Keller wearing a shale-colored goalkeepers jersey. Designated player Freddie Ljungberg didn't model but made an appearance on stage, drawing plenty of cheers.

The goalkeeper jersey will be available in black, orange or gray pending MLS competition rules.

Keller is starting to feel the excitement of the approaching season, a feeling that only grew at the kit unveiling.

"It's bringing realism to the whole dream," Keller said. "Every event they have put on so far, from my press conference to Freddie's press conference to now this ... it's just first class all the way.".

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com