A New Hope - The Hope Solo Story

Hello FMScouters, it's Matt. You probably know me from my S.S. Lazio story that is going quite well, but I have decided to take a short break from it and test the waters elsewhere. This is an FM Story that has not been attempted before and I can assure you it is not a joke entry. I will do my best to make this a successful enterprise an hopefully tell a great story at the same time.

Please feel free to comment as I love hearing you lads' opinions and it let's me know I'm doing a good job. More comments and love = more updates. I will be using an updated database that I have edited myself as of July 21st 2014 so all transfers/manager are up to date.

English Businessman Matt Cox Completes Takeover of Seattle Sounders

11th January 2014


Seattle Sounders' owners have agreed a fee of $175m to sell a 100% stake of the club to Matt Cox.

The Sounders will be under new management from the start of the 2014 season. English millionaire Matt Cox has purchased the club from the four-investor ownership group. The majority owner was Hollywood producer Joe Roth, with minority owners Adrian Hanauer, former owner of the now defunct USL-1 team Seattle Sounders; Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder and owner of the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers; and Drew Carey, comedian and game show host. Allen's partnership allowed for the team to share certain resources with the Seahawks. Over half of the Seahawks' full-time staff is shared with Sounders FC. The teams have merged ticket, marketing, and financial operations but it is understood that the partnership will still stand under Cox's ownership agreement.

Cox who is a recognized name in MLS hails from Hereford, England made his millions through stocks by investing in companies undergoing aggressive growth. He studied at the prestigious Hartpury College, UK which specializes in football and sporting excellence. He went on to represent Forest Green Rovers, Manchester City and Roda JC in Holland, whilst amassing a handful of appearances for the England U18 squad. Cox then studied a Bachelors degree in Sports Business Management at UWE before moving to Canada to become a coach for semi-pro club FC Trois Lacs, before becoming Technical Director for the Montreal Impact.

In an interview with MLS News, Cox was quick to praise the club and assure supporters of his passion to see the club grow: "I am so happy to be here. Since I arrived in Canada and was exposed to MLS I knew that this league had so much to offer and had the potential for big things. Seattle Sounders are a brand that since their inauguration into MLS in 2007 have grown and quickly become a household name. I plan to make them a real force in North America and with the most passionate fans in the country behind us I know it is possible."

The new owner will also act as General Manager in line with his ownership duties, just as former stakeholder Adrian Hanauer did. It is also unknown whether Cox will renew the contract of current head coach Sigi Schmid, whose deal expires this month.

12th January 2014


New Seattle Sounders General Manager Matt Cox has confirmed that Schmid's deal will not be renewed.

The Sounders have a new owner and are set for a new head coach as Matt Cox makes his first major change since his purchase of the club. Schmid has coached the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer and became the head coach of Seattle Sounders FC in 2009. Despite never having played soccer at a professional level, he has the most coaching wins in MLS history and was the recipient of the MLS Coach of the Year Award in 1999 and 2008. Throughout his career, Schmid has received praise from critics for his ability to identify new talent. His defensive tactics are also highly regarded in the press and often cited as a factor in his success.

Matt Cox was quick to praise the successful German manager following confirmation of his departure: "Sigi has been a great servant to the club and has brought about the beginning of the Sounders' success. However we feel the time is right to bring in some fresh blood and some bold new ideas so that we can take this great team further."

Schmid led the Sounders to Runners-up of the MLS Supporters Shield in 2011 and to the Final of the US Cup four times, with the club winning three of them; in 2009, 2010 & 2011, losing to current MLS Champions Sporting Kansas City in 2012.

Speculation is flying as to who Matt Cox will install as the club's second ever Head Coach with possible candidates including; Paul Stalteri, Stuart Pearce and Jesse Marsch. The favourite however remains former Montreal Impact manager Marco Schällibaum, who Cox worked with during his time at the Quebec club.

I wonder who will get the job? Maybe a USA international, just not from the team most people watch?

Good luck!

13th January 2014


New Seattle Sounders General Manager Matt Cox has appointed USA Women's national team goalkeeper Hope Solo as the club's new head coach.

It is a move that has shocked the world of sport as Hope Solo becomes only the third ever woman to manage a men's professional football team.

Matt Cox was delighted to announce Solo on a 1 year deal to the media: "Today is a ground-breaking day for Seattle Sounders, Major League Soccer and the sport as a whole. I met Hope 5 years ago and her passion and drive to succeed was always evident. She is an icon in modern women's soccer and a Washington born girl so I know that the people of this great state will be behind her 100%." The immediate reaction to the appointment has been mostly positive, although some parts of the Soccer community are disappointed due to Solo's lack of previous coaching experience.

Solo admitted she was surprised to be approached for the position, but found it was an offer to good to turn down: "I am so grateful to be given this opportunity and plan to be a pioneer for women in sport, everywhere. When the owner called me into his office to discuss this I thought he was joking. But it didn't take long for me to see that he really believed in me. I promise I will take this chance and make the most of it."

Solo was born in Richland, Washington and was playing for Washington based club Seattle Reign last season in the National Womens League. The USA international amassed 152 caps for her country but will now retire from playing to focus on her new career in management. 32 year old Solo is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (Beijing 2008 & London 2012) and has been goalkeeping for the United States women's national soccer team since 2000.

wuhuuuu hope! great story idea, i surely will be following!

I hope this goes well

Haha, excellent choice mate. But was it only for management reasons?

TaroMisaki: Thank you for following! I appreciate it.
Neal: Waaay, nice pun
DialSquare: Thanks, she is a worldie! I have no issues with being her boss!

Hope is needed so that Seattle solo the league and win it......Bad puns all round.