<P> In a press conference on November 13, 2007, MLS announced the award of an MLS expansion team franchise to Seattle . In 2008, Sounders FC developed the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila and the USL team played most of the 2008 season at the updated facility . At the time, the USL team's management thought that practicing and playing at Starfire could provide more continuity and a smoother transition for those hoping to play for the new MLS franchise . </P> <P> In early December 2008, Seattle Sounders FC reportedly offered a coaching contract to Sigi Schmid, who led the Los Angeles Galaxy to a MLS Cup in 2002 and the Columbus Crew to a MLS Cup in 2008 . However, before Schmid could respond to the contract offer, the ownership of the Columbus Crew filed a tampering complaint with the MLS that put the offer on hold . The Crew's ownership complained that Schmid had communicated with Sounders FC during the 2008 season, despite being denied permission to do so, and that he shared confidential information with Sounders FC after leaving the Crew . The MLS ruled that no tampering occurred, but ordered Sounders FC to financially compensate the Crew before signing Schmid . Sounders FC officially introduced Schmid as their first coach on December 16 . Former USL Sounders player and head coach Brian Schmetzer was retained as the top assistant coach, and Tom Dutra was selected as goalkeeper coach . Retired Major League Soccer veteran defender Ezra Hendrickson joined the Sounders as an assistant coach in January, 2009 . Former MLS player and Everett, Washington, native Chris Henderson was named technical director on January 24, 2008 . Joining Henderson in the front office is longtime Seattle Seahawks VP Gary Wright as the senior vice president of business operations . Drew Carey was named the chairman of the Membership Association . </P> <P> Seattle Sounders FC was given first negotiation rights to any player that was not drafted in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and joined the USL Sounders for the 2008 season . The team was also allowed to promote as many players from the 2008 USL Sounders squad as they'd chose, as long as the player's rights were not controlled by another team . Seattle Sounders FC officially announced the 2007 USL First Division MVP and former USL Sounder Sébastien Le Toux as its first signing on May 7, 2008 . On August 14, 2008, the Sounders announced in a press conference their second signing for the 2009 season, former United States men's national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, a Washington native . On September 5, 2008, Seattle Sounders FC announced the third signee for the franchise to be Sanna Nyassi from Gambia . Nyassi, a 19 - year - old midfielder, was a member of the Gambia U-20 national team at the 2007 FIFA Championship . Sanna's twin brother, Sainey Nyassi, was signed by the Revolution and is a regular starter in MLS this season . On October 28, 2008, it was officially announced that the Sounders had signed Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg using the Designated Player Rule . He signed a two - year contract reported to be worth $2.5 million per season . </P> <P> Team building continued with the 2008 MLS Expansion Draft and the 2009 MLS SuperDraft . In the expansion draft, held on November 26, 2008, Seattle Sounders FC selected the following players from other MLS teams: Nate Jaqua (Houston), Brad Evans (Columbus), Stephen King (Chicago), Jeff Parke (RBNY), James Riley (San Jose), Khano Smith (New England), Jarrod Smith (Toronto FC), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Peter Vagenas (LA Galaxy) and Tyson Wahl (Kansas City). As the 2009 expansion team Sounders FC was given the first pick in each round of the SuperDraft . With the number one pick of the first round of the draft, Seattle Sounders FC selected University of Akron forward Steve Zakuani . As the first picks of the second round (16th overall), third round (31st overall), and fourth round (46th overall), Seattle selected Wake Forest University defender Evan Brown, Azusa Pacific University defender Jared Karkas, and Harvard University midfielder / forward Michael Fucito respectively . </P>

Who was the first player drafted by the sounders