Seattle Sounders and West Ham: A Shared History
The Seattle Sounders and West Ham United share a unique and rich history, with several players having represented both clubs at different stages of their careers.
Harry Redknapp: A notable figure, Harry Redknapp made over 150 appearances for West Ham United during his playing career before managing the club from 1994 to 2001. He also played for the then North American Soccer League (NASL) side Seattle Sounders from 1977 to 1979.
Sir Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore: West Ham legend Sir Geoff Hurst, famous for his hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final, made 23 appearances for the Sounders during the 1976 NASL season. Hurst’s former Hammers and England teammate, Bobby Moore, also played for the Sounders, representing them seven times during the 1978 NASL season.
Tyrone Mears: Full-back Tyrone Mears had a brief stint at West Ham in the 2006/07 season before joining the Sounders, where he played from 2014 to 2016 and won the MLS Cup in December 2016.
Freddie Ljungberg: The Swedish midfielder spent one season with West Ham in 2007/08 before joining the Sounders in 2009, where he won the US Open Cup that year.
Other former West Ham players who have ventured into Major League Soccer (MLS) include Nigel Reo-Coker, Ravel Morrison, Sebastien Lletget, Shaka Hislop, Ian Bishop, Frank Lampard, Javier Hernandez, Paulo Wanchope, Donyell Henry, Winston Reid, Robbie Keane, Antonio Nocerino, Ashley Fletcher, Guillermo Franco, Xande Silva, and Laurent Courtois. David Kruse and Joe Cole also had spells in the North American Soccer League with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Tampa Bay Rowdies, respectively.
Phil Woosnam: The late West Ham striker (1959-62) emigrated to the United States in 1966 and became the head coach of the United States national team in 1968. Woosnam was later appointed commissioner of the NASL from 1969 to 1983 and is considered a significant figure in the development of soccer in the United States during the 1970s.
The shared history between Seattle Sounders and West Ham United highlights the cross-continental connections that have enriched both clubs, bringing together footballing talents from different eras and regions to contribute to the beautiful game
