Seattle Sounders announce creation of USL Pro team

SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders will start an independent lower-division USL Pro team beginning in 2015 called Seattle Sounders FC 2 with 20 percent of the club to be owned by fans through a community trust.

The USL Pro team will allow for Seattle to develop young players and provide additional opportunities for players with the MLS club who might not be getting enough playing time.

The team will play its games at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington, where the Sounders currently have their practice facility. Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer said Tuesday that controlling their own USL team was the best option rather than partnering with a current USL Pro franchise.

In the past, Seattle has been forced to loan out players needing additional playing time or development to clubs on the other side of the country.

• Also Thursday, the Portland Timbers announced the formation of a USL Pro team that will start play next year. The team, called Timbers 2, will play home games at the University of Portland’s Merlo Field.