The new voice of the Sounders FC, Ross Fletcher, has been in Seattle since February, so he’s had a chance to adjust to the new culture after spending most of his professional life working for Derby County FC in England. We caught up with him recently about how he has liked his new home in Seattle and Major League Soccer.

Q: How have you taken to Major League Soccer in the first few months?

RF: I’m really excited seeing what it’s all about. For me, the really big thing is the travel, going away to other places and seeing what the fan support is like. Then you realize the power of Seattle and the real fervent fanbase is and how fantastic the MLS scene is in Seattle. Other teams have got their own supporter groups. I really enjoyed going to DC United and seeing the Screaming Eagles – no idea where they make these names up from, but they are great. I have been able to key in to the passion of the other fans and also it’s given me a real appreciation for how special the Seattle fans are.

Q: Is there a road trip that you’re looking forward to in particular?

RF: I’ve ticked off so many good ones already. Going back to Vancouver was magical because I spent a good month there for the Winter Olympics in 2010. That was great. Seeing Chicago, which is a really hip city. On the MLS road trips, I am genuinely looking forward to Montreal because that is a slice of North American life that, I would say is like no other, but is certainly different. I’ll be brushing up on my GCSE French, which is like the equivalent of being in high school and learning all your French there. That will be a good one to look forward to. DC was wonderful. Seeing all the American history was wonderful. When my wife comes out, the one she’s going to enjoy is LA because she’s just very shallow like that. (laughs)

Q: What has stricken you about the Sounders and what they’ve been able to do?

RF: I just really like the positive attitude. Whether it’s home or on the road, Sigi is going out to try to win every single game. Back home in England, you would see teams on the road trying to grind out a point and not being very offensive. It’s been really refreshing to see Seattle going for it. It is joyous football and it kind of brings back a bit of the child in me. There’s an innocence about it that I really enjoy. It makes every single game on the road entertaining. Also, some of the guys out there have tremendous skill, they have great teamwork, great work ethic and they find a way to win. They’ve gotten off to a good start for a reason and there are a lot of factors that go into it.

Q: You came from a league that you were familiar with and you grew up watching those clubs. How have you made the adjustment to MLS where there is a completely different system and the college system and all of those elements that play into the league?

RF: I’ve always been a fan of American sports. I love basketball and I’m already aware of the college system and the draft, but getting your head around the rules … One of the first things I did when I got here was print off the MLS roster rules, which is only about 30 pages, so it took me a while to digest and understand all the different facets. It was a bit of a learning curve, but I think what I bring from the UK is that the fans, which is who I’m broadcasting to, generally want to know about your team. Yes, it’s important that you know the structure and where players come from and why they come from where they come from, but I think at the end of it, the most important thing is what happens out there on the field for the Sounders. It’s been quite fun getting used to the MLS SuperDraft and the Supplemental Draft and the free agency rules and the trading rules and the allocation money and all that kind of stuff. I like to immerse myself in that. But as I say, the most important thing is calling the action out there and hoping the fans like what I say.

Q: Around Seattle, what have you been able to get out to explore?

RF: I live in Belltown, so I’ve got great access to a load of different places and different hangouts. I’m slowly managing to get out and see places outside of the downtown core. Obviously you’ve got Pike Place Market and the Space Needle and all the good touristy stuff, which I’ve managed to do and that’s been great. But then it’s been sampling the culture and the diversity of areas that Seattle has. You’ve got a nice chilled out area on the other side of Lake Washington like Kirkland that looks like it would be a great place to hang out in the summer. People have told me to get out to Snoqualmie Falls, so that’s another one on my list, which I might try and do over the next couple of weeks now that the schedule is slowing down a bit. I love to ski, I just haven’t had the chance. So I want to get out to Crystal or Mt. Baker or even further afield to try out that. I’m not much of a hiker, but people tell me to go up there in the summer when the snow has melted away. Maybe I’ll try that if I can muster up the courage.