Sounders vs. Celtic FC

Published 7:00 am Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Sounders are in their second MLS season. Their opponent in today’s friendly match, Glasgow’s Celtic Football Club, is about to enter its 123rd season. Yet that history has been a losing one in Seattle. The Hoops—so named for their green-and-white, horizontally striped jerseys—lost to the original Sounders in 1981 at the Kingdome. (They’ve since lost in exhibition matches against Man U and Chelsea at Qwest). Celtic’s 27-man roster for its 10-day North American tour includes three players who just competed at the World Cup—Greek striker Georgios Samaras (who led Celtic with 12 goals last season) and two South Koreans, midfielder Ki Sung-Yong and defender Cha Du Ri, a veteran of eight seasons in Germany’s top two leagues. With unlimited substitutions, the match should present a great opportunity for extended playing time for several of the younger Sounders, including forwards Miguel Montano and David Estrada and midfielder Mike Seamon. After the match, and well before, you can expect Celtic’s well-traveled fans at Kells and Fado—the club skews Catholic, and the kegs may run dry today. MICHAEL MAHONEY

Sun., July 18, noon, 2010