For the fourth time in club history, Seattle Sounders fans are holding a vote that will directly decide the job status of their general manager, a level of fan participation no other professional sports team in North America offers. This isn’t just some marketing gimmick, even if critics want to call it that, this is *our* chance to interact with the club in a way most fans can only dream about, and we absolutely cannot take it for granted.
“Democracy in Sports” is Not a Myth, It’s Real Here
Drew Carey brought the concept of ‘Democracy in sports’ to the Sounders when he became a minority owner back in 2007, and it’s what makes this club feel different. Yeah, I know it’s not perfect and there are folks who say it’s just a PR move, but I honestly think we’ve just started to gloss over how truly unique and important it is. The Annual Business Meeting, the Eternal Sounders Circle of Legends inductions, and most importantly, this GM vote, these are all moments where season-ticket holders get to put their stamp on the club. If we let these things slide, that’s when they lose their value. So, no matter how you feel about anything, please go vote. Seriously, this matters for the Emerald City.
Craig Waibel’s Tenure: The Numbers Tell a Story
So, let’s talk about the GM himself, Craig Waibel. I’m not gonna lie, this isn’t as clear-cut as the previous votes where Adrian Hanauer (2012) and Garth Lagerwey (2018 and 2022) breezed through. Waibel hasn’t stacked up the trophies like those guys. Hanauer led a team that took MLS by storm, winning three U.S. Open Cups right out of the gate. Lagerwey’s trophy cabinet includes two MLS Cups and that Concacaf Champions League crown. Waibel’s tenure so far has seen one trophy: last year’s Leagues Cup. Look, I don’t think we should discount that, but it definitely doesn’t feel as monumental as those other titles.
But let’s not act like the Sounders have totally fallen off a cliff under his leadership. That’s a huge exaggeration. Over Waibel’s four seasons, the Sounders have posted a record of 77,53,45 across all competitions, with a sweet +50 goal difference. That works out to 1.58 points per game. How does that stack up? It’s not quite at Hanauer’s first four years (1.75 ppg) or Lagerwey’s second four-year stint (1.63 ppg), but get this: it’s actually better than Lagerwey’s *first* four years (1.56 ppg). And goals? During Waibel’s time, the Sounders have scored an average of 1.50 goals per game across all competitions. That’s exactly the same as during Hanauer’s first four.
My Vote and What’s Next
Alright, deep breath. After looking at it all, I’ll be voting to retain Craig Waibel as our Sounders GM. I believe we’ve blown any “fall off” way out of proportion. While the previous GMs had more dominant stretches with bigger trophy hauls, the numbers under Waibel show a consistently competitive team that hasn’t exactly tanked. The Leagues Cup win is a real trophy, and the statistical performance holds its own against previous eras.
But look, my vote is just one vote. The whole point is that we all get a say. This unique power is what makes the Sounders unlike any other club. So, whatever you decide, hit that vote button. Let’s make sure our collective voice is heard, because this is our team, Seattle, and our vote shapes its future.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Sounder at Heart.
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