It’s not surprising that England and Hudson were unanimous choices. England set the standard by which all center-halves have been measured to this day, tower of strength in the air and uncompromising on the ground.

Seattle opted for the direct approach at Memorial Stadium, then began to play through midfield upon opening the Kingdome. Hudson’s arrival cemented that ball-control style.

Traditionally strong at the back, Seattle selections reflect that as coaches arranged lineups to get added defensive personnel (Rioch, Webster, Gabriel) in midfield. There’s also a proclivity for wingers. Robertson and Hutchison, both flying Scotsmen, are in the first XII, Redknapp in the 2^nd and Crossley honorable mention. Those moves made it difficult for strikers to break in, consequently Ward (a league MVP) and Peterson (all-time scoring leader) pushed to second XIV.

While many would say talent level climbed through ’82, four members of the ’74 originals made first and second teams. Hutchison is the only 1-year player in first XII; he made quite an impression.

Two North Americans–Chursky and Stock–made the first XII. There are four–Brand, Bridge, McAlister and Peterson–on the second team. Nineteen Brits (11 English, six Scots, two Welsh) made up the bulk of the first two teams.

You can see The Seattle Times presentation of the all-time selection here.

Note: Voted by coaches John Best (1974-76), Jimmy Gabriel (1977-79), Alan Hinton (1980-82) and Laurie Calloway (1983)

NASL Sounders All-Time XI+1

G – Tony Chursky (1976-78; 73 app/25so)             HM ‘77

D – Ray Evans (1982-83; 60 app/15g/20a)            2^nd XI ’82-83

D – Mike England* (1975-79’ 106app/6g/12a)            Best XI ‘75-78

D – David Gillett (1974-78; 89app/4g/4a)            HM ‘75-76

D – Jeff Stock (1979-83; 83app/5g/7a)

M – Jimmy Gabriel (1974-79; 52app/8g/4a)            2^nd XI ‘74

M – Alan Hudson* (1979-83; 94app/2g/40a)            2^nd XI ’80, 3^rd XI ‘81

M – Steve Buttle (1977-82; 152app/15g/44a)

M – Bruce Rioch (1980-81; 44app/5g/2a)            Best XI ‘80

F – Jimmy Robertson (1976-77; 29app/3g/7a)            HM ’76-77

F – Roger Davies (1980-82; 63app/32g/19a)            MVP, Best XI ’80

F – Tommy Hutchison (1980; 25app/3g/12a)            3^rd XI ‘80

 

Second XI+3

G – Jack Brand (1980-81; 55app/20so)            2^nd XI ‘80

D – Mel Machin (1977; 19app/0g/2a)            Best XI ‘77

D – Ian Bridge (1979-83; 99app/11g/14a)

D – David Nish (1980-81; 56app/4g/10a)            3^rd XI ‘80

D – Jimmy McAlister (1976-79; 72app/2g/5a)            RoY, HM ‘77

M – Adrian Webster (1974-79; 111app/3g/1a)

M – Arfon Griffiths (1975; 15app/1g/4a)            Best XI ‘75

M – Harry Redknapp (1976-79; 24app/0g/7a)

F – Peter Ward (1982-83; 62app/31g/20a)            MVP, Best XI ‘82

F – John Rowlands (1974-75; 41app/20g/13a)            Best XI ‘74

F – Micky Cave (1977-80; 75app/31g/19a)

F – Mark Peterson (1979-83; 101app/48g/14a)            NAPoY ‘82

F – Gordon Wallace (1976, 78; 45app/16g/8a)

 

Honorable Mention

G – Joe Corrigan (1983; 29app/5so)

G – Barry Watling (1974-75; 42app/14so)            Best XI ‘74

G – Mike Ivanow (1976-77, 79-80; 35app/4so)

D – Les Parodi (1978; 21app/1g/7a)

D – Ron Davies (1979; 22app/1g/1a)

D – Kevin Bond (1981; 30app/16g/4a)            Best XI ‘81

M – Shaun Elliott (1981; 21app/4g/1a)

M – Frank Barton (1979-82; 76app/11g/10a)

M – Steve Daley (1981-83; 87app/23g/38a)            2^nd XI ’82-83

M – Roy Greaves (1980-82; 82app/3g/9a)

M – Tommy Jenkins (1976-78; 41app/2g/8a)

F – Paul Crossley (1975, 77-79; 77app/16g/26a)

F – Tommy Ord (1977-79; 44app/13g/6a)

F – Jocky Scott (1977-78; 39app/9g/11a)

*Unanimous

Boldface are Sounders career records