The Seattle Sounders soccer club boasts an impressive soccer alumnus scattered throughout Major League Soccer and the rest of the world. The high success rate of Sounders alumnus is a tribute to the quality of the Sounders organization and coaching. Ironically, Seattle will have to overcome two Sounders graduates – Maykel Galindo and Preston Burpo – in their third round U.S. Open Cup match against the Chivas USA of Major League Soccer.

Cuban International Maykel Galindo is enjoying a stellar first season with Chivas USA. Two years removed from gaining political asylum from Cuba, Galindo is one of the league’s feel-good stories. Galindo ranks fourth in MLS in goals scored this season with seven goals in fourteen matches. Galindo, who also has three assists, scored against the Sounders in an exhibition match earlier this year and will look to torment his former club again in the U.S. Open Cup match.

Goalkeeper Preston Burpo, a teammate of Galindo on Chivas USA, lost his starting position this year to U.S. National team goalkeeper Brad Guzan. However, against the New England Revolution on July 7, Burpo turned in one of the performances of the season in Guzan’s absence. Burpo made a total of eight saves, many of the spectacular variety. 11-year MLS veteran Steve Ralston said after the game, “I think that was one of the great performances by a goalkeeper I've seen in my career. It was like he was a magnet for the ball.”

If the Sounders upset Chivas USA in the U.S. Open Cup, the Sounders alumni reunions will continue with a match against Colorado Rapids and former Sounders Herculez Gomez and Brandon Prideaux.

Midfielder Herculez Gomez joined the Colorado Rapids for his fourth MLS season after three seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Gomez has added scoring punch to the Rapids squad with four goals and one assist in 13 games. Gomez won an MLS Cup with Los Angeles in 2005.

Defender Brandon Prideaux, an eight-year MLS veteran and two-time MLS champion with DC United in 2004 and Kansas City in 2000, is also a member of the Colorado Rapids. Prideaux has started ten games for the Rapids this season.

The Sounders alumnus also features two current MLS Champions for the Houston Dynamo.

Striker Brian Ching, arguably the most famous of the Sounders alumni, was selected to his fourth MLS All-Star Game and continues to spearhead defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo’s attack. Ching was the MVP of the MLS 2006 Championship game and has earned 25 caps with the U.S. National team. With four goals this season, Ching remains one of MLS premier forwards.

Defender Craig Waibel is another key member of 2006 MLS Champion Houston Dynamo. The former Washington Husky has started 10 games this season and recorded one assist.

The Sounders alumnus has even begun to spread internationally.

Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has been a fixture with English club Reading FC since joining in 2002. Hahnemann, who has appeared in 206 matches for the club, has become a crowd favorite due to his ritual of handing his jersey to a fan after each match. When the club asked him to stop because of the high cost of the jerseys, Hahnemann refused and began buying the jerseys out of his own pocket. Hahnemann has also earned six caps with the U.S. National team.

Forward Cam Weaver, the Sounders leading scorer in 2006, has moved on to Norwegian second division club FK Haugesund. He appeared in five matches and scored one goal for the club in his first season.

As our current Sounders battle to win a fourth league championship for the Sounders and a shot at the big time, they can look to these alumni for inspiration and proof in their ability to reach the next level. The Seattle Sounders organization wishes its former players the best of luck – except for when they play the Sounders.