Originally published Friday, March 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM

NW Briefs | List narrows for Seattle Major League Soccer team names

The Seattle Major League Soccer franchise is soon to get a name. It won't be the Sounders. Fans will instead get to choose one of three...

By José Miguel Romero

Seattle Times staff reporter

The Seattle Major League Soccer franchise is soon to get a name. It won't be the Sounders.

Fans will instead get to choose one of three name options: Seattle FC, Seattle Republic or Seattle Alliance. The choices -- which are to be officially announced Tuesday -- were determined through fan focus groups, internal committees and fan suggestions.

"I have great respect for the Sounders and the club's history," MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a statement released by the club, which starts play in March 2009. "While we should celebrate the past, we believe the MLS Seattle team should be about where we are headed tomorrow and help position the club globally."

The Sounders are the United Soccer Leagues First Division team from Seattle.

"We just felt like it was a new time, new league," said co-owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer, who is also a current Sounders owner.

The future of the Sounders' name and franchise is undefined.

Fans can vote on the names starting midnight Thursday, through the evening of March 31, at mlsinseattle.com. The name will be revealed at 11 a.m. April 7, on the team's Web site.

Notes

• Freshman Arianna Kukors of Washington edged her sister, Auburn senior Emily Kukors, for second (1:55.26-1:55.28) in the 200 individual medley at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at Ohio State. Leader Arizona broke the NCAA, U.S. open and American record in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:26.90 and later broke the 400 medley relay record by nearly a second (3:29.06).

• Lefty Ben Guidos (1-0) won his first college start as Washington baseball (10-6) beat Utah Valley 12-3 at Husky Ballpark.

• No. 25 Washington State baseball lost 9-1 to No. 12 California at Bailey-Brayton Field in Pullman. Jared Prince (2-1) lasted four-plus innings for WSU (13-6).

• Runner Jono Lafler of Tahoma High has signed a letter of intent with Washington State.

• The Brady Clark rink from Seattle's Granite Curling Club lost to Minnesota 8-6 at the Mixed National Curling Championship in Ferndale, Mich., and was eliminated from playoff contention.

Sports-information reports contributed.

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