Sounders tour Tanzania in November 2005

(Excerpts and photos from the club website)

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(Seattle) The Seattle Sounders, who traveled to Tanzania for two weeks returned on Saturday, December 3rd. The Sounders went 0-1-2 against three Tanzanian soccer teams. The scores were 1-1 with the Tanzania National Team (Kilimanjaro Stars), 5-1 to Yanga, and 2-1 to Simba. While on the trip, the team put in four hours a day for three days coaching clinics with local youth. During the second week of their trip the team traveled on a Safari before heading to London then home to Seattle.

(Seattle, WA) – The Seattle Sounders, 2005 United Soccer Leagues First Division Champions, in conjunction with Sister Communities, the Tanzanian Football Federation, the United States Embassy and the Tanzania Tourist Board, today embarked on a three-week journey as part of the Tanzania Soccer Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

While in Tanzania, the Sounders will take part in community soccer clinics, play three matches against select African sides and go on a four-day safari.

Soccer Summit event coordinator, Laurel Hubert, said, “The Tanzanian Football Community is buzzing with excitement for the arrival of Seattle Sounders on November 11th. The Sounders should be prepared for a fanfare of select governmental officials, press, etc. upon arrival at the airport in Dar es Salaam. We look forward to the Sounders participation in the Tanzania Soccer Summit.”

On the way to Sea-Tac International Airport for the team flight to London (and subsequently, Tanzania), Sounders goalkeeper, and Championship match MVP, Preston Burpo commented, “This is a great opportunity to visit another culture, play against some great teams, hang out with kids and enjoy another country…we’re all looking forward to heading over.”

Other players on the trip include current or former Sounders Jimmy Ward, Scott Jenkins, Kevin Sakuda, Jason Farrell (player/assistant coach), Andrew Gregor, Gabe Sturm, Jake Sagare, Ben Somoza, Craig Tomlinson, Peter Hattrup (player/head coach), Shawn Percell, and Josh Hansen. Aaron Heinzen, Chris Wondolowski (on loan from San Jose developmental squad), Geordie Lyall (on loan from Vancouver), and Julian Nash (on loan from San Jose developmental squad) round out the team.

The Sounders first match will be against the Tanzanian National Team (Kilimanjaro Stars) on November 20th, and two top Tanzanian sides, Yanga and Simba, on November 22nd and 24th, respectively.

Each match will be held at the National Stadium of Tanzania, the largest venue in the country. The match on November 20th will serve as the grand-reopening of the stadium, as it has undergone extensive renovations in past years. On hand for the match will be Tanzanian President Mkapa, the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania and several other high ranking government officials. Not only will the Sounders be the first U.S. team to play in National Stadium, but they will be the first U.S. team to visit Tanzania.

Soccer Summit coordinator Hubert estimates crowds of over 30,000 will attend each match.

A journal entry from Sounder Gabe Sturm during the trip:

Today at camp it was so funny because there was this one boy that kept talking to Jimmy and I  but we could not understand a word that he was saying. He

was a cool little kid. It is amazing to see the conditions these kids play in. Their field is horrible and most of the kids barely have any cleats left on the bottom of their shoes. I gave my shoes to some kid to keep, he was really excited. They need the shoes more than I do so I was happy to do it. These kids are so grateful when we give them stuff and you can tell that it just lightens up their day.

In the evening we traveled by ferry to dinner. It was a total travel time of 2 ½ hours including 45 minutes on a bus. Dinner was great, but I think we were all tired of traveling and just wanted to relax especially after a long day of coaching camps. It was nice to spend Thanksgiving with the team and we are all very thankful for being here.

Until we can write again, Go Sounders! 

On November 28th, the Sounders will depart of a four-day safari in the Tanzania Game Parks. On hand to document the safari (as well as the entire Soccer Summit) will be a U. S. based film crew hired by the Tanzanian Tourism Board. The crew will shoot footage from the national parks and will capture the Sounders interacting with elements on the safari. The documentary film project, Discover Tanzania, will be used to encourage Tanzania tourism to a global community.

Several players will be providing stories, emails and pictures from the Sounders African journey. In addition, video footage from the trip will be taken, and, if possible, placed on www.seattlesounders.net. Check the website often for updates.

Activities Schedule

After 10 days of clinics, matches and time in Dar es Salaam, the Sounders are now on a safari to northeastern Tanzania.

Monday, November 28 – Thursday, December 2, 2005.

Safari to Arusha and Ngorongoro Crater

Friday, December 3rd

Return to Seattle