We've got big news in local soccer this Monday as Seattle Wolves FC announce in the press release below that they are going fully under the Crossfire Premier umbrella. The club will move its offices from Starfire to the Crossfire offices in Redmond and will practice out of the 60 Acres campus. We just recently featured this story on the history of the Wolves.
Update: The former Seattle Wolves FC have indeed dropped that name and will now be called "Washington Crossfire." In the coming weeks the club will have details about a home venue for 2010 USL PDL matches.
(SEATTLE, WA) – Today the Seattle Wolves Football Club made a significant announcement regarding the direction of the organization. Effective immediately, all club operations will transition underneath the Crossfire Premier Soccer Club umbrella.
This declaration comes following a highly successful inaugural campaign in the USL Premier Development League, as the Wolves posted an 11-4-3 overall record en route to a postseason appearance and the Northwest Division final.
The evolving partnership with Crossfire underlines the Wolves' dedication to player development, as Crossfire is one of the premier youth organizations in North America.
Based in Redmond, Crossfire is Washington State's only Nike Premier Club. The organization's origins can be traced back to 1968, and since that time the club has developed athletes for collegiate soccer, the US National Team, and ultimately professional careers in the United States and abroad.
Similarly, the Seattle Wolves Football Club has bridged the gap between premier amateur footballers and top-flight professionals since the club's inception in 2002. The club has grown from its origins as a recreational side by rising through the lower divisions of American soccer to achieve ascendancy in the United Soccer Leagues.
When asked about the club's transition to Crossfire, Seattle General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz stated, "We are thrilled with this decision. Crossfire mirrors our own ambitions to truly develop the game from the ground up in this country, so in many ways becoming one with Crossfire is a natural progression."
Indeed Seattle fielded numerous Crossfire Premier products in 2009 Premier Development League play. University of Michigan standouts Chris Blais and Alex Klein were strong contributors to the club's on-field success, as were Santa Clara's Brandon Zimmerman and UCLA's Fernando Monge. All of these players came from the Crossfire ranks, and the fans can expect to see this trend continue in the PDL come 2010.
According to Opatkiewicz, "Crossfire was a valuable partner to the Seattle Wolves FC in 2009, and now that the two organizations are united, the implications of this relationship will only strengthen our prospects on the pitch."
He continues, "The Crossfire players made an immense impact on our side in 2009, and I look forward to seeing these athletes train in the offseason along with other Crossfire additions."
The club will now feature under the name Washington Crossfire, and the team will operate out of Crossfire Premier’s 60 Acres campus.
Further details about this pivotal transition will be forthcoming, but for now all members of the organization are excited to begin a new chapter in the club's unique history.
For additional information please view www.SeattleWolvesFC.com and www.CrossfireSoccer.org.
Comments
What the heck. A club that couldn't draw flies moves to Redmond. Are the flies bigger over there?
The truth finally comes out about the wolves: bankrolled by a Crossfire parent who has a kid on the club. NOT an independent future pro club for south Sound. A Crossfire puppet club.
RIP Seattle Wolves FC
Welcome 'officially' to Crossfire, Wolves! You are going to add a lot to our club.
So, the club is now going to be called "Washington Crossfire?"
wondering: I am trying to get clarification on that.
empire building
The Wolves will still play matches out of Seattle, I'm sure. No where for them to play in Redmond!
Charade = ridiculous. Did you get cut from a tryout? :)
From what I've heard, the Wolves club will be brought under Crossfire Premier, but the PDL tier will play in the USL under Washington Crossfire...we'll see if this is true when it goes public on the USL website.
Empire? It's youth - PDL football!?!? David, some of your readers take this stuff too seriously! There's no chance for an empire with the Sounders in town! :)
Claire, "Washington Crossfire" is not a name Wolves supporters are going to be thrilled about...
"I support a big club." LOL. I guess it was true all along. I am out.
as a longtime Seattle soccer watcher, i can say without a doubt that this is the perfect match. The most-hated youth club and the most-hated adult premier club. They deserve each other.
claire, everyone's premier, everyone's select. You're supposed to be growing the game, not contracting it
Chris Blais played all his youth career for Brian Schmeitzer, Emerald City, NOT Crossfire as reported! Brandon Z. only briefly played for Crossfire U15/U16 and Alex Klien joined Crossfire only after falling out at Emerald City. Crossfire masterfully takes credit for players if these player ever wear a Crossfire uniform just once.
not so sure "standout" is the right word for Klein's role at Michigan. Chris did however, have a great season for them... unfortunately he spent his whole youth career with Emerald City.
claire, if charade did get cut from a tryout, you can be sure, it was because his wallet wasn't fat enough or his "latte" wasn't hot enough. Grow up.
Say what you will about the Wolves, they started as a GSSL third division team in 2002. The vision of Andrew (and staff) to take the club from there to USL PDL in 7 years is impressive.
Would have been interesting in a different financial climate to see if the club could have stayed independent of Crossfire. Hopefully Andrew will help improve on Crossfire's reputation in the area and help to evolve their development teams to their full potential. Love or hate Crossfire, they do bring attention to the Washington State Youth Soccer and the players in our state.
Also very interested to see what Pete Fewing brings to Kitsap this year...I think it is a perfect match between manager, club and community.
Confirmed. Seattle Wolves FC are no more. They are now "Washington Crossfire."
Where will they play? The club will announce that in the coming weeks.
Their crest was a real original and I loved it. The Wolves was good too. New name is kind of confusing and not locally relevant.
Rumor: Interlake High School field for 2010.
This is *not* the way to keep a 'football chic' reputation.
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