2004 Seattle Sounders Open Tryouts

Starfire Sports Soccer Complex

Fort Dent Park

Tukwila, WA

Photos by Jenni Conner and David Falk

Around 80 athletes showed up for day one of the Seattle Sounders 2004 Open Tryouts at the Starfire Soccer Complex at Fort Dent on March 6. There was the usual mix of college graduate players, local league hopefuls and those simply there to give a dream one more go. The tryouts were spirited and boisterous, shouts often echoing off the back of the stadium and out across the beautiful Field Turf pitches. As much a joy as hearing the crunching sound of a soccer ball being kicked was the chance to see more of the Starfire Sports Soccer Complex. Enjoy the pictures below. Even if nary a player comes out of the open tryouts, the new training home of the Sounders appears to be a winner.

Shots from the tryouts at the open fields area of the complex...

Players look on intently as the ball crosses the goal mouth.

WAYWARD BALL: No one notices a stray ball as the action heats up.

Goalkeeper hopefuls line up to block shots.

The race is on as the ball heads out of bounds.

An attacking player knees the ball goalward.

Switching back takes getting used to on Starfire's new Field Turf.

Can he score goals? Yes? Sign him!

Stretching out to control the ball.

Overview: Shot from top of stadium stand looking down onto the open fields that spread out behind.

FRAMED: Hmmm...which goal should I shoot for?

Meanwhile, next door at the stadium, a girl's youth soccer game was in progress...

Starfire Grandstand.

Parents of a girl's soccer team take in the action.

Just overcast, but the roof was nice to have anyway.

The view of the field from the Grandstand.

Back at the open fields...

Another bird's-eye view of the tryouts from the overlooking Grandstand balcony.

Photos copyright SounderCentral.com 2004