Jeff Parke ready to face Seattle Sounders, his former team

Seattle Times — Family came first for ex-Sounder Jeff Parke, who will face Seattle for the first time since requesting a trade to Philadelphia, his hometown team.

Seattle Sounders FC May 1, 2013

Sounders visit won't be just another game for Philadelphia's Jeff Parke

Sounders FC Blog | Seattle Times — Family came first. That's what led to defender Jeff Parke asking the Sounders at the end of last season to trade him to his hometown club of Philadelphia, where he could start a family with his wife closer to their parents. Now Parke and the Union will be hosting Seattle this weekend, and it won't be just another game. The 31-year-old said there would be a special feeling on the field Saturday and that his time with the Sounders produced "some of the best memories I've had and some of the best soccer I've ever played." Parke was Seattle's two-time Defender of the Year, and on a conference cal...

Seattle Sounders FC May 1, 2013

Former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore joins preseason camp as an invitee

Sounders FC Blog | Seattle Times — Photo credit: SoundersFC.com Sounders FC has been doing its due diligence recently looking at center back options, following the offseason trade of Jeff Parke and preseason injury to Patrick Ianni The most recent invitee? Djimi Traore, who has played for clubs like Liverpool, Marseille, Portsmouth and a few others in Europe. Other current trialists at the position include Canadian international Mason Trafford and out-of-contract MLS veteran Shavar Thomas. Traore, who can also play left back, certainly has the most impressive resume. He played for Liverpool in the 2005 UEFA Champions League fin...

Seattle Sounders FC February 4, 2013

Catching up with Jhon Kennedy Hurtado

Sounders FC Blog | Seattle Times — Hard to imagine the Sounders' two big offseason losses affecting anyone more than Jhon Kennedy Hurtado. The 28-year-old lost his center back partner Jeff Parke in an offseason trade to the Philadelphia Union. Hurtado has also been close friends with fellow Colombian Fredy Montero, who was loaned to Millonarios last month. So what does he think? Regarding Parke's loss, Hurtado said through a translator: "We're going to have to pay lots of attention to the players we have here. He's a great player and he's no longer here, but obviously there's nothing we can do. We have to deal with what we ha...

Seattle Sounders FC February 2, 2013