LAS VEGAS — Major League Soccer clubs, like many other pro sports franchises, are using data analytics and technology more than ever to help players prepare and perform at higher levels. But Landon Donovan thinks there are a few missing opportunities that teams haven’t quite cracked. The U.S. soccer legend and current broadcaster spoke on a panel earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that focused on the use of data and analytics in sports. Former professional player Claudio Reyna; Zebra Technologies GM Eric Petrosinelli; and Gracenote GM Noah Fischbach joined the conversation on stage at Turner’s… Read More
Data and analytics surely aren’t the only reason for the Seattle Sounders’ remarkable late-season run that’s resulted in a chance to play for an MLS Cup title on Saturday. But it’s clearly helped. As Seattle’s professional soccer club faces off against Toronto in its first-ever MLS Cup this weekend — 5 p.m. kickoff on Saturday; you can watch the action in virtual reality — GeekWire spoke with head coach Brian Schmetzer and Sport Science and Performance Manager Dave Tenney to learn more about the team’s use of data and analytics to improve the performance of its players on the pitch. The Sounders… Read More
Growing up in Hawaii and working in pineapple fields, Zach Scott probably didn’t think he’d spend the first 15 years of his professional career playing soccer. But with perseverance, determination, a little luck, and a lot of hard work, Scott has defied stereotypes during his remarkable career with the Seattle Sounders FC. The 36-year-old will play his final professional soccer match Sunday afternoon at CenturyLink Field. Known as “Mr. Sounder,” Scott spent his entire career — 15 seasons and 349 games — with the Sounders organization, starting in 2002 when the team was part of the United Soccer League, to when the club entered… Read More
Seattle Sounders FC fans will watch their team do battle in jerseys that have a little extra fighting spirit designed into them on Sunday. In celebration of the release of “Gears of War 4” on XBox One and Microsoft Windows, the team will be wearing Pacific blue jerseys with the XBox and “Gears” logos. Sounders players definitely got their game faces on for a photo shoot to show off the jerseys. Defender Román Torres looks especially intimidating with his tattoo sleeves and menacing scowl as he and teammates posed with models dressed in battle armor from the video game. Hopefully the Sounders… Read More
