Sounders FC coach Schmid remains hospitalized

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid remained at Overlake Hospital Medical Center on Sunday receiving treatment for pneumonia.

Schmid watched the MLS Cup final between his former team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Real Salt Lake on TV. There is no timetable for his release after he was admitted Thursday.

Schmid experienced difficulty breathing, which was later diagnosed as pneumonia. His condition was improving Saturday after the coach had to cancel some previously arranged engagements.

Fans have a blast

The north parking lot of Qwest Field was a zoo of activity 90 minutes before the game, with rock group Third Eye Blind performing live and several MLS players signing autographs in a fenced-off area called the MLS Soccer Celebration.

Though Sounders FC green and blue was everywhere, Real Salt Lake fans far outnumbered Galaxy supporters, and RSL fans were making plenty of noise in impromptu rallies around the stadium both in the walkway ramps and before entering the gates.

Most Sounders FC fans put their support behind the underdogs from Salt Lake City when asked which team they wanted to win.

Sounders FC players Fredy Montero, Peter Vagenas and Brad Evans, and MLS stars Wilman Conde of the Chicago Fire, Dwayne DeRosario of Toronto FC, Chris Pontius of D.C. United and Stuart Holden of the Houston Dynamo drew long lines of fans for autographs.

Beckham, Donovan praise Seattle

L.A. Galaxy stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan were asked what Seattle has meant to the American soccer landscape.

Donovan has been here with the U.S. national team and the Galaxy, and Beckham played at Qwest Field as a member of Real Madrid in an exhibition match against D.C. United in 2006.

"This franchise has been unbelievable," Donovan said of Sounders FC. "It starts from the top. It starts with the front office, ownership, and then it leaks down to Sigi, who's done a great job."

Beckham also was impressed.

"It's a breath of fresh air that they've come into the league the way they have," he said. "They've got an amazing setup. ... We're honored to be playing here."

Notes

• Montero, the Sounders FC forward, received his MLS Newcomer of the Year trophy on the field at halftime, drawing a huge ovation as he held it aloft.

• MLS commissioner Don Garber said Montreal is a top candidate to be the 19th team in 2012. There will be 18 teams in 2011.