Ship’s Log, August 9: Let’s start at the beginning

Dave Clark -

Back in August 2008 Sounder at Heart started. I think 10 people who weren’t related to me read it that month and three of them were my seatmates back in 2009.

In August 2023, Sounder at Heart re-started as an independent blog. Now the readership is in the thousands and I’ve had the good pleasure of meeting many hundreds of you.

During that span of time we’ve been through the downs (there’s a Reign season that doesn’t exist in our memories) and the biggest highs (hello again soon Pumas). We’ve hosted gatherings around the region starting with a couple dozen at a back table at Elysian and growing to a few hundred at different YachtCons (we also don’t talk about a certain CCL watch party).

One of the things Sounder at Heart set out to do early on was extend the discussions about American soccer beyond effort and gumption. Something it never intended, but has been glorious to see is helping so many people get full-time jobs in soccer.

There are older American soccer blogs than Sounder at Heart. But I like our coaching tree. The people that we've been blessed with working here at times are scattered among outlets big and small. Some work for pro teams. At least one has an MLS Cup ring.

August makes me reflective, because I never expected this much.

I didn’t expect a blog that I started because I wouldn’t shut up about the Seattle Sounders to become a community of people who help each other when they are down, to become an influence beyond the shores of the Sound. I didn’t expect it to get so popular that the current managing editor could take a vacation (in the past both Jeremiah and I have written from exotic locales).

Sounder at Heart continues to grow, even while the team’s audience struggles to show up the blog is thriving. That’s because of your support in August 2008, November 2009 (when we joined SBN), in 2010 when Jeremiah joined, in 2019 when I left for Defiance-Reign, in 2021 when you welcomed me back, in 2023 when Oshan took us back to our roots.

All of you – even the ones who strongly disagree with us in comments and social media – are responsible for carrying forward this community. We’re all People of the Sound and Valkyries united behind a common love for a ball game.

Thank you for 16 years of fellowship, trophies, comments and gatherings. We're not finished.

As you now know, August is a big month for Sounder at Heart. We’re going to be celebrating our one-year anniversary of independence on Aug. 22 and you’re invited to the party.

Related to that, we recently made some changes to our payment profile that will hopefully clear up some confusion. If you previously received a bill from “Nos Audietis LLC” or saw “Nos Audietis Substack” on a payment, just know that it was from us. In the future, though, everything should be more clearly labeled “Sounder at Heart.” Sorry for any confusion.

Catching up on Sounder at Heart

What you need to get caught up on the weekend's action

Sounders

Next match: Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Pumas in the Leagues Cup. Watch on Apple TV at at Lumen Field.

Reign

Next match: Aug. 25 against NC, featuring the Megan Rapinoe jersey retirement ceremony. You can get in and support Sounder at Heart.

Defiance

Next match: Sunday at Real Monarchs FC on MLS Season Pass.

Spokane

  • Velocity host Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on Tuesday, August 13 at ONE Spokane Stadium.
  • Zephyr start play on August 17th hosting Ft. Lauderdale at ONE Spokane Stadium at 6 p.m..

Looking back at the news

Everything else you need to know

The USWNT is going for gold. Naomi Girma’s defense is art.

Reign FC players Adames and Bugg are heading to the U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Learn more about Lily Woodham.

Tired: American soccer labor disputes
Wired: Settling things early, and in the players’ favor.

When you go to the Olympics in France you get free health care.

Is Mauricio Pochettino the next USMNT coach? He’s probably the favorite.

Carlos Vela is a still a free. He wants to play in SoCal, but no team in SoCal wants him. Can he come to very north of Cal?

Jodi Ülkekul signed with Spokane Zephyr. Her path back to her collegiate city went through Italy, Spain and Seattle. The Super League starts in a week. Here are ten players to watch.

CBS Golazo Network is now available on Amazon Freevee.

The men’s World Cup in 2026 is going to be very hot.

The MLS transfer window for US clubs closes on Aug. 14. The Canadian window is closed. The roster freeze date is Sept. 13.

The NWSL transfer window closes Aug. 30. The roster freeze date is Oct. 10.

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