Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com
So long, Qwest Field. Hello, CenturyLink Field.
The home stadium for the Seattle Sounders has undergone a name change, with CenturyLink replacing Qwest. A press conference will be held on Thursday during which the new logo will be unveiled.
According to the Seattle Times, Qwest had the naming rights to the stadium through 2014, but CenturyLink, a big telecommunications company, purchased Qwest back in April.
Here are a couple of more items from around MLS:
FRED RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA
D.C. United midfielder Fred has reached an agreement to return to Australia and play for Melbourne Heart when the international transfer window opens next month.
Fred, who starred for Heart's rival Melbourne Victory upon signing there in 2006, is a former A-League Player of the Year. He has started five games for D.C. United this year but has mostly been used as a reserve after returning to the club following a one-year stint with the Philadelphia Union.
"When we re-acquired Fred earlier this year, we agreed in principle that we would let him go if he had an opportunity to sign abroad for a better contract," D.C. general manager Dave Kasper said in a team-issued release. "The move will also free up significant salary as we look to improve our team during the upcoming transfer window."
Fred, whose rights were re-acquired by D.C. from the New England Revolution after the Re-Entry Draft in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, has a 2011 base salary of $150,000 according to figures released by the MLS Players Union.
MLS TEAMS TO LEARN OPEN CUP OPPONENTS
The second round of the U.S. Open Cup takes place Tuesday night, with the winners of the eight matches due to face MLS opposition in the Round of 16.
Here's who the MLS teams will face:
Chicago Fire – Winner of Rochester Rhinos vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Columbus Crew – Winner of Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Richmond Kickers
FC Dallas – Winner of Orlando City SC vs. Charleston Battery
Los Angeles Galaxy – Winner of Los Angeles Blues vs. Ventura County Fusion
New York Red Bulls – Winner of FC New York vs. NY Pancyprian Freedoms
Real Salt Lake – Winner of Charlotte Eagles vs. Wilmington Hammerheads
Seattle Sounders – Winner of Colorado Foxes vs. Kitsap Pumas
Sporting Kansas City – Winner of Chicago Fire Premier vs. Madison 56ers
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What do you think of the new stadium name in Seattle? Where do you hope D.C. directs its new-found cap relief? Which (if any) non-MLS team in the Open Cup field do you see making it to at least the quarterfinals?
Share your thoughts below.