The Seahawks are abysmal, the Mariners even worse, the Huskies are 0 – 11, and the Sonics, well, they don’t exist anymore. Seattle sports suck, plain and simple. Come 2009, though, perhaps it won’t be so embarrassing to admit allegiance to Seattle in the sports world anymore.

Seattle will be home to Seattle Sounders FC in 2009, an expansion team of Major League Soccer. The announcement was made months ago and received an immediate reaction — season tickets were going like hotcakes, Drew Carrey became a part owner — the city of Seattle was getting excited.

That excitement has only grown with the signing of Freddy Ljungberg, a player of international credibility. Ljungberg captained the Swedish national team for two years, playing for the team for a ten years, followed by a stint in the English Premiership for nearly two decades. To add to his impressive repertoire, Ljungberg is also an underwear model for Calvin Klein, which doesn’t hurt his standing in the least.

Ljungberg will be the Sounders’ Designated Player, or DP. The DP rule, otherwise known as the “Beckham Rule,” allows for soccer teams in the Canadian and American leagues to sign players with international credibility. Each team is allowed one player, their DP, which they can pay above their salary cap, which means the Sounders can pay Ljungberg 2.5 million a year, instead of somewhere in the six figure range, which most legit American players are paid.

Seattle Sounders FC will open their season in 2009, and are looking to be competitive from the get-go, hopefully making the playoffs, and thus bypassing the characteristic slow start of expansion teams. With the signing of Ljungberg, the Sounders are well on their way. Kasey Keller, a former US national team player, has also been signed, as well as standout current Sounder, Sebastian Le Toux.

With Frenchman Le Toux, Swedish Ljungberg, and Gambian Sanna Nyassi, the Sounders already have the basis for a distinctly international roster. Sounders’ GM Adrian Hanauer and Technical Director Chris Henderson are also looking around the globe for additional players. This could help gain the Sounders respect not only in the MLS, but at the world stage as well.

Respect — that’s what the Sounders are looking for in their opening season. That’s what Seattle sports fans are thirsting for. With the signing of an international player that rivals the popularity of Beckham, high expectations, and a positive reaction from the city, Seattle Sounders FC may be able to bring Seattle a sports team that it can be proud of.