goalWA.net is very pleased to feature an ongoing column that allows writer Doug Thiel a forum to share his memories of our “Original Sounders,” the North American Soccer League (NASL) club that played in the Emerald City from 1974 through 1983. Doug is the author of the 1977 Sounders season highlight book “All the Best,” as well as two new books for youth soccer players, coaches and parents called “The Winners Way.” Click www.cowanparkpress.com to purchase one or both books.

by Doug Thiel

Jimmy Gabriel is an unusual man even for a Sounder. His kindly smile, soft voice and humility disappear the moment his boots touch the turf. You couldn’t beat him on the pitch, and you couldn’t keep from liking him.

He’s a man still revered by everyone who knows him. There are none better so stop looking.

I asked Jimmy if he would write the Forward to All the Best.

“Naw, Doug,” he answered, “I can’t write well, and I wouldn’t know what to say anyway. Sorry, Doug, but you’ll do a much better job.”

“Well, so much for that idea,” I thought, not knowing that a couple months later it would arrive in the mail.

Here it is: the best part of whole book published in 1978.

FOREWORD

The tunnel appears dark in comparison with the brightly lit stadium, and the air is alive with tension. The players are skittish, reminding me of thoroughbred race horses awaiting the signal to leave the paddock, and I’m happy to see this because I know they’re ready.

There is little that Bob or I can say to them now. They need to be left to their own thoughts. I close my eyes for silent prayer. “Thank you, God, for bringing me to Seattle. Thank you, God, for giving me this chance.”

Signal to go. The Sounders’ music starts and the team sprints onto the field, happy to be out of the tunnel. The noise is unbelievable. “Sounders! Sounders! Sounders!”



People all around the stadium are on their feet shouting their support for their team. I move out of the tunnel into the noise, the lights, and the surrounding banners which boldly proclaim support for the team and the players.

The hairs on my neck stand out; this must be the greatest feeling in the world. “Thank you, God, for bringing me to Seattle. Thank you, God, for giving me this chance.”

In the process of reading this book, you may feel that Doug has presented the nice side of the Seattle Sounders and left out the bad side, but I can honestly say that in my four years with the Sounders I have not experienced any bad side.

We have made mistakes, but they have been honest mistakes as Walt Daggett and Jack Daley would never condone devious or underhand tactics. The club policy handed down from our top management has always been one of honesty in anything that we undertake, and it has proven once again to be the best policy.

In this book Doug has given special mention to several people the most notable being Walt Daggett, Jack Daley and John Best, and to be very honest, but for these three men, their vision, energy and dedication, the Seattle Sounders would be just another sports franchise without the magical appeal which it now has.

Doug has also given special mention to the Sounders’ fans, but I have always had difficulty in relating Sounders’ fans with other fans. They are so much a part of the total picture that I always think of management, players, and supporters as one big family, each dependent upon the other, sharing the triumphs and disappointments together. It is this togetherness that will help us to reach our objective, to become the best team in the world.

When the day comes that we reach the top of our pyramid, I will look back in fond remembrance at the many players who helped to build the foundations of that pyramid, their pioneering spirit, and the genuine delight they took in meeting and talking to their fans. They set a standard of player-fan relationship which we shall always strive to match.

Thanks for the book, Doug, but don’t put your typewriter away, for this is a continuing story.

– Jim Gabriel

There is much more to Jimmy than what you’ve just seen. But what you did see epitomizes the heart, mind and soul of Jimmy Gabriel: player, coach and guardian angel of both the NASL and MLS Sounders.

February 1978 at 1:30 AM of the drop dead day for delivering the text to the printer a problem popped up. I found a quote of Jimmy’s that was the opposite of what he would say. Ass backwards would be correct.

Dear Lord. Now what? I had to be certain. The printer wanted the text by 8:00 AM. Should I wake Jimmy up? Uncertainty reigned. Do it.

I called Jimmy wondering if he’d answer. He did.

“Hello, this is Jimmy.”

“Jimmy, this is Doug. I need a favor and I’m sorry to have to wake you up.”

“No bother, Doug. How can I help you?”

“Jimmy, I’m doing the final review of the text of All the Best to make sure there are no errors. I think I found one. And I have to deliver the text to the printer in less than 7 hours.”

“What is it, Doug?”

“A quote of yours that I think is ass backwards. So, I’ll read it to you and you tell me if it’s right or ass backwards or okay?”

“Okay, Doug, go head.”

I read him the sentence and said, “That’s it, Jimmy.”

“It’s ass backwards, Doug. Thanks for calling. Good night.”



goalWA.net Local Soccer News is sponsored by Pro Roofing Northwest, Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, Redmond, Woodinville, Federal Way, Everett, Snohomish, Issaquah, Renton, Kent, Bothell, Edmonds Washington roofing company.