The victor gets the spoils, and in the case of the 2009 US Open Cup title, Seattle Sounders FC today were awarded entry into the CONCACAF Champions League for next season. This means Seattle will host professional clubs from the CONCACAF region in tournament matches around this time next year, should they advance from a preliminary 2-leg match against a foe in July of 2010.
"With their average attendance this year, the Sounders will be a great addition to the Champions League," CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. "We can't wait to have them."
This year's Champions League features such well-known clubs as Saprissa (Costa Rica), UNAM Pumas and Cruz Azul (Mexico).
Meanwhile, more photos of the fans meeting the Sounders and the Open Cup trophy at Boeing Field last night are coming online. Joe Schmait was there and shares these photos with us!
Kasey Keller and Patrick Ianni are all smiles as they share the US Open Cup trophy with fans who waited past 4:00 AM in the morning to see the Sounders arrive at Boeing Field on Thursday.
See more photos on Flickr and at WeAreECS.com.
Read what Sounders Fan Insider Greg Roth had to say about his late-night stay-up with Sounders fans at the airport last night HERE.
Comments
So we'll have the Champions League, MLS matches AND the Open Cup in 2010? Awesome.
Remember, Sounders A-League champs were in the 1997 CONCACAF Club Championships (Champions League predecessor) beating SV Transvaal (Surinam) 10-0 and losing to Mexican sides Necaxa 4-1 and Cruz Azul 11-0.
Don't forget the world cup in 2010!!!
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