I'm doubtful.

First, the sports market in Seattle is arguably already as or more crowded than the other four cities of comparable size that have four professional teams - Denver has an MLS team that no one cares about, and the Buffaloes are not as popular in Denver as the Huskies are in Seattle, and Miami (baseball and hockey teams no one cares about), Minneapolis/St. Paul and Phoenix (a hockey team no one cares about) all lack MLS teams.

Second, whatever team Seattle gets in either the NBA or the NHL is likely going to be mediocre (Coyotes, although they may be out of the running) to awful (Kings, Hornets, Bobcats), so there isn't going to be the same "instant contenders" effect that the Sounders "instant contenders" effect.

Third, I don't know how much appetite there is for hockey in Seattle proper, given that the Thunderbirds moved to Kent and no one seems to care about the UW hockey team, and the UW hockey team is a club team. I mean, yeah, the WHL and club hockey are nowhere near as good as the NHL, or even the AHL, but ... if there was an untapped demand for pro hockey in Seattle/Washington, I would think that there would at least be one competitive collegiate team.

Fourth, I get that Seattle is a basketball town - Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson, Marvin Williams, and I know there are a ton more I'm forgetting - and maybe everyone who was so outraged by OKC stealing the Sonics will be totally okay with stealing the Kings, or the Hornets, or the Bobcats, but ... I have to think Stern fucked up at least a little.

There's a 5+ year wait for Vancouver Canucks tickets. It's 600+ miles from Vancouver to Calgary and farther from Vancouver to Edmonton. I don't think the hockey team would have a hard time drawing fans at all. You've got all the local people + all the people visiting from all over the northwest and Canada.

I worry more about the basketball team drawing fans. However, with the new collective bargaining agreement you don't need to sell as many tickets to stay profitable.

Yes, especially for sports we've won championships in. The Seattle Metropolitans won the Stanley Cup in 1917 and the Super Sonics won the NBA championship in 1979.

Make no mistake about it, we are talking about pro-level championship quality hockey and basketball coming BACK to Seattle.

You bet we can support 5 teams. We've won these championships before

Not pass interference. All the players in the end zone were eligible receivers, and they were all trying to catch it. It's pass interference when a player is simply trying to prevent another player from catching the ball by restricting their movement and is not trying to catch the ball at all. It's usually determined by whether the player has their head turned toward the direction the ball is coming from or not.

The key word is "Clinched". Ultimately, any team that clinghes a playoff spot will be a division champ or wild card entry. At this point int he season there are scenerios where a team's record is good enough to have clinched a playoff spot but the division is still up for grabs. And so X is necessary.

I'm not aware of any physical commemoration, but if you were to contact the Thunderbirds front office they may have the definitive answer. On a related note, I know folks at MOHAI and will mention this topic to the curators; they have a new facility opening Nov 17, 2012 with all-new exhibitory so perhaps this could be included.

Assuming you are a hockey fan, you might also want to get a copy of Hockey In Seattle, from Arcadia Press. (They have a lot of other great local history books, including Clark Humphrey's Vanishing Seattle.)

I think the folks at Ebbets Field Flannels once sold a repro jersey for the 1917 team, but I don't see it on their website. They do, however, have this cool 1966 Totems jersey.

Old time hockey, my friend...

Wild. I've never heard of it. My only fuzzy memory of any Seattle championships is the Sonics that one time in the 70's before I was born, and the Storm several times recently.

Try Mexican restaurants. (Really--it's worked for a Brazilian in my family when our reunions coincide with the World Cup.)

Is it even airing anywhere on any channel we could see? I think ESPN Deportes has the rights (though figuring that out is tough), but it's not airing on that channel. We mostly see European soccer for the simple reason that there are English Language broadcasts because the games are being shown in England. None of the channels are willing to devote the time/money to have English Announcers of their own, they just piggy back ones that are already there.

I doubt there's a Sounders hangout anywhere in NYC, but it is a playoff game, so you should be able to find a soccer bar, or even a regular sports bar, that's showing it.

First place I looked is showing it: Nevada Smith's, 10 PM, live. 74 Third Avenue, between 11th and 12th, in the East Village. Saturday night, the place will be probably be packed like sardines with people who aren't even watching, but hey.

http://www.nevadasmiths.net/football/fix.htm

The Football Factory at Legends, across the street from the Empire State Building at 6 W 33rd St, sounds horrible but shows every MLS game.

Many others listed here; you'll have to call or visit their website yourself to find out if they're showing it:

http://www.livesoccertv.com/pubs/new-york/

Let's go Sounders, let's go.

Be respectful and make some basic efforts to disguise your drinking, this gives the police plausible deniability, so they can ignore you.

But compared to many areas of this country, Seattle tailgaiting is a different animal, as alcohol laws are more enforced than, say, at a Louisiana game. Soundslikepuget's link is pretty accurate. If you get there EARLY, the Hawk Heaven area is the best bet (as long as you're Seahawks fans). If you're for the other team, I'd go for the North lot.

Alternately, there are many surrounding bars and establishments, and this is where most folks "tailgate" (indoors, or in the fenced off outdoor booze section of a bar). All of these options get crowded, but it's fun. Personally, i think Elysian Fields is the best choice, love their beers and their food is great. But there's a giant/fun beer garden at Pyramid Alehouse. FX McRory's is an institution that's been selling beer to Hawks fans for decades, I think. Sluggers can be fun, but crowded. Honestly, everywhere is crowded. The Triangle Pub is also great fun. There's a rowdy scene at Tiki Bob's...I feel like it draws more of a frat party crowd.

PRO TIP: 30 minutes to 1 hr before the game, enter the Qwest EVENTS CENTER building (to the south of the stadium)...you have to go through the NFL pat-down and bag check, but don't give your tickets yet. This is a space full of vendors giving out free stuff...generally free samples of food and drink, free rally signs, there's a green and blue free hairspray station, and a place where you can get your face painted for free. Cheerleaders and the mascot wander around,so lots of photo opportunities. Then you can enter into the stadium directly from inside this building...at the north end. The bonus of doing this? Walk straight down the hallway of the stadium (not up the stairs) and a few 100 feet inside you'll see a small red budweiser booth. Here is where one of your group can sign up to be your group's designated driver...you get a coupon for a free soda in exchange for your responsibility (and you're entered to win a prize). Hooray for free stuff! Have fun.

This blog has a good explanation of where you can tailgate: http://ryanre.hubpages.com/hub/Tailgating-Quest-Field-Seattle-Seahawks

Strictly speaking, alcohol isn't really allowed anywhere on the streets and parking lots around the stadium..... but.... my friends and I have always found that if you're a little bit discrete, and you're NOT a dick to Seattle Police, they don't care.

Put your beverage in a disposable cup and you'll be fine. We've even had SPD officers come by when one drunken idiot in our party was blatantly swigging out of a bottle of beer and tell us "don't let us SEE that."

On game days, the SPD have bigger fish to fry than writing stupid little tickets for open containers in public. They are on the lookout for DUI's, people starting fights and causing disturbances and blatant overly-intoxicated drinkers. If you pour your beverage in a nondescript cup and don't bother people around you, you'll be fine. My dipshit friends and I have been doing this for years, and it's never been a problem.

If you're not willing to chance this gray area of the law though, check out the Triangle Pub. $2 Rainier all day everyday, right next to the stadium. http://trianglepub.com/

GO HAWKS

Fado Irish Pub, 801 1st (at Columbia). There's a game on right now, South Africa v. Samoa, replay; the next ones are tonight, Australia v. Russia, 7:45, live; France v. Tonga, 9:45, live.

http://www.fadoirishpub.com/seattle/sports

I would guess that most Irish bars are showing it.

Looks like mister_fusspot and Christina L have good answers for you. What they said.

I just thought I'd let you know that last year there were a ton of Seattleites talking shit about the Bruins.

For those of us who didn't move here from a Hockey Town, the Vancouver Canucks are "Seattle's Team." During the 2011 Stanley Cup (Vancouver vs Boston) there was a fair amount of Anti-Bruins sentiment.

It's probably died down by now, but if you get a little bit of friendly ribbing from fellow NHL fans in Seattle rooting against Boston, you'll know why.

I suspect that's why your perfectly valid question may have been downvoted.

GO CANUCKS.

One place you can be guaranteed that NHL games will be on all screens with lots of hockey fans in the room is Teddy's Tavern at 65th and Roosevelt. There were plenty of Boston supporters making themselves heard there during last season's Stanley Cup. Go Bruins!!

Stay in Belltown and watch at Buckley's,
2331 2nd Avenue.

Probably not. They still have the Falcons, the Lions twice, the Chargers and the Raiders, all of whom are probably going to be better than the Bears or the Panthers.

I'd just like to say that I admire your profile picture. You are all man, son. I can tell that you have a legitimate Man Card. And, I hope you have fun at your world cup viewing. Ifn' you'd like to chat me up, Old Spice, I can tell you about my latest bar fight. I gots to practice me stories, 'cuz I'll be telling one at the Mission Theatre on Sept. 21st (around 7pm), in case you'd like to attend. I'll be the sassy little philly on stage with my oh-so-reliable red cowgirl boots.

Not sure which of the smaller bars will be playing that particular game, but Fox Sports Grill plays virtually all the games - so you just have to grab a seat near the game you want.

http://www.foxsportsgrill.com/seattle/

Edit: Should have mentioned Teddy's Tavern on Roosevelt and 65th. They also go over the top with TVs. They might also put the game on for you if there are no competing games that are more popular.

How did you narrow it down to these three?

I'd read a bit about the history of the three clubs (their wikipedia entries should have a run-down) and see if there's anything that grabs you.

This is a little late, but have you tried the Summit Public House (or is it Summit Pub?)? Dedicated soccer bar. Awesome place.

I agree with soundslikepuget! Tried to post this answer last night but my smart-phone was having a dumb moment. Bullpen/outfield bar section is THE place!

Bleacher seats are only $7 (although they now charge $8 for "day of" bleacher seats, so get them in advance or pay the extra dollar, I guess). Then we generally stand at the shelf/table behind the bullpen. There is also a large congregation of folks in there 20's and 30's at the centerfield/outfield bar tables, too. The bleacher seats are a great deal, and allow a large group of folks to attend without having to worry about getting seats together, as we never actually sit in our seats. Instead, we stand at bullpen table/shelf.

And the new food options in the outfield are actually GOOD and CHEAP!! The cheap part can't last, I feel. But a large slice of pizza is just $5 (hotdogs are more than that) and they have some fancy flavors, with wild mushrooms and white sauce and stuff. Also some decent looking caesar salads for just $5.

Spots at the shelf/table along the bullpen can be hard to come by if you don't get there early, but DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. If you don't initially get a spot, just hang out. People tend to wander away by the end of 2nd or 3rd inning and then you can grab some space.

Also, SAFECO FIELD is running happy hour beer specials! I can't find any info online...I'll look more later. But if you arrive early (I think more than an hour before the game) beer is just $5 (instead of $9 or whatever it is). Not sure if this is just at the outfield/bullpen bars, or stadium-wide. But what a deal! and a great way to grab a spot at that bullpen shelf/table.

In the outfield. Don't worry about the haters, haters gonna hate. There's a bar in center field, the cheap shitty seats up above it are like $10, and there's an area where you can stand around next to the bullpen and get a better view anyway.

Get the cheap shitty $10 ticket for the outfield bleachers and then just hang out with the beer drinkin' standees next to the bullpen or in the outfield bar.

I agree that being shitty drunk around kids and families is not cool, but that crowd that congregates in the outfield by that bullpen standing section and underground bar is all people like you and me, 20 and 30 somethings who just wanna blow off some steam and have a couple brewskies.

Also, if you want to sneak booze into the stadium, use your boobs. The best way is to fill up a ziplock baggie with a pint or two of liquor and stuff it down your bra. Then, buy a pepsi inside the ballpark, and mix it in.

Unable to determine your age, but regardless of it, being publicly drunk will get you tossed out of the ballpark.

From the official Safeco Field Information:

Guest Code of Conduct

The Seattle Mariners are committed to creating a safe, clean and friendly experience for our guests at Safeco Field. Our staff will proactively intervene to support an environment where guests can enjoy the Safeco Field experience, free from unacceptable behavior, including the following:

Foul/abusive language or obscene gestures
Intoxication or other signs of impairment related to alcohol consumption
Use of tobacco products, in any form or electronic cigarettes
Displays of affection not appropriate in a public, family setting
Obscene or indecent clothing
Any disruption of the game or event, including throwing of objects or trespassing on the playing field or in other restricted areas
Sitting in a location other than the guest's ticketed seat
Fighting, taunting, or making threatening remarks or gestures
Any guest not adhering to the above code or behaving in an unruly manner will be removed from the ballpark. The Seattle Mariners reserve the right to determine what is unruly or unacceptable behavior, warranting removal.

If anyone is interfering with your enjoyment of our facility, please contact the nearest Safeco Field Host for assistance or call or text our Fan Help Hotline at 206-861-2200."

Reference "Guest Code of Conduct":
http://mlb.mlb.com/sea/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=guide#G

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So, the positive answer is:
At a private residence watching the game on TV.

Far away from me, please.