Four All-Stars just another sign of a successful first season for Sounders FC

Sounders FC |

The summer of soccer in Seattle is sizzling.

It has included a berth in the U.S. Open Cup final for brand-new Sounders FC, a friendly with Chelsea, the arrival of Everton — another English Premier League power — in the area for practice, sellout after sellout for Sounders FC home games, and an appearance by the U.S. national men's team for CONCACAF Gold Cup play.

There's still a Major League Soccer playoff spot for Sounders FC to chase, and European club champion FC Barcelona will be in town Aug. 5 for a friendly.

And this sundae has a cherry on top: four Sounders on the 2009 MLS All-Star team, which plays Everton on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium outside of Salt Lake City. Freddie Ljungberg, Kasey Keller, Fredy Montero and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado are all in Utah preparing for the All-Star Game.

There are two ways to look at Sounders FC's All-Star representation. One, the four players validate a successful season for the expansion Rave Green, in second place in the Western Conference with only one loss at home. Two, the bonuses paid to those All-Stars will count against the team's salary cap for next season, perhaps affecting Sounders FC's ability to sign players.

"It won't affect us for the long run," general manager Adrian Hanauer said. "You need everyone to do their job, but at the same time you need special players out there who can do special things. ... We're thrilled to have players on our team that can change games. Salary hit aside, I'd take 11 All-Stars if we had them."

The cap hit wasn't really on anyone's minds as the team reached the MLS All-Star break following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Chicago. Getting four players on the team was something to acknowledge and celebrate.

"It's definitely a tremendous achievement for us," said forward Nate Jaqua, who plans to spend his four days off at home in Oregon.

"The way Kasey's been playing goal, you knew that [he'd be an All-Star]. Freddie's come on real well. It was nice to see Dominic [Kinnear, All-Star coach] took Montero and Hurtado because they've been playing real well for us."

Keller maintained that Sounders FC is "not your typical first-year team."

"The organization did a very good job of being able to get players," he said. "When you come, you still have to perform, and I think that's what I've been the proudest of, is that we've brought in some guys and they've been able to perform."

Note

• MLS commissioner Don Garber announced that Houston will host the 2010 All-Star Game. It will be after the FIFA World Cup, but the date and opponent will be announced by early next year.

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