There is no place in Major League Soccer like Qwest Field on a gameday. The Sounders FC were reminded of that on Tuesday when they made their first appearance at Qwest Field for the 2010 season. “It’s great. Obviously the last time we were here we didn’t get the result that we wanted in our last game against Houston. So, it’s got that memory, but it’s also got the memory of the opening game and a lot of the good accomplishments we had all last season,” Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid said. “Every time you walk in here, even though the seats are blue, I see green everywhere. It just reminds me that we are about to embark on the season. I think it’s a good reminder for the players that the season is around the corner.” The Sounders and their fans will have a chance to break in the stadium for the 2010 season on Thursday when Seattle faces their old rivals to the south, the Portland Timbers of the USL, in the Community Shield preseason match benefitting the Sounders FC four charity partners. While the defense has been solid, going 293 scoreless minutes since allowing their last preseason goal, the offense has been inconsistent. However, Schmid understands what it takes to get Freddie Ljungberg, Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani going on the offensive end while they wait for the return of Nate Jaqua, who has missed most of the preseason due to injury.
