United Way Says Thanks

The United Way and the Sounders FC joined together for a celebration at Qwest Field

SoundersFC Defender Taylor Graham seems comfortable in almost any setting. The Stanford graduate put all his skills to the test last week during a United Way party for donors and their families called “Get Your Kicks.”

One minute he was answering kids’ questions with his usual glibness and the next he was teaching soccer skills on the X Box 360 pitch.

It was all part of a joint celebration by United Way and the Sounders at Qwest field. “I want to give special thanks to Tod Leiweke, the SoundersFC and the Seahawks for their support of United Way of King County,” said CEO Jon Fine.

About 200 people took part in the event which included a light buffet, time on the pitch with Sounders players Nate Jaqua, James Riley, Kasey Keller and Graham and a question and answer session.

It was during the Q & A that a young soccer fan asked Graham and the others why they play the position they play. With a wry smile Graham said, “I’m not very good at scoring goals, so I play defender.”

SoundersFC coach Sigi Schmid also had a good line when asked the same question. “When I get out onto the field I get goose bumps and when I see all the green and the scarfs and the smiling fans it makes me happy that a long, long time ago I decided to make the decision to stop being an accountant and start coaching.”

Sounders FC fans are happy Sigi made that decision though considering his attention to detail as a coach he probably would have made a great accountant too.

As for Taylor Graham he showed his skills as a comedian, a kid’s soccer coach and a friend of United Way all in the same evening.