Soccercity, USA.
You can try to locate it on a map, but you won't have much luck.
Instead, you'd have to rely on the select few soccer fans in this country to tell you, and they'd either emphatically (or begrudgingly) direct you toward Seattle.
It could be because of last season, when Sounders FC set the bar when it came to international friendlies and the fanfare that they attracted, drawing over 120,000 fans combined in their two matches against European powerhouses Chelsea and FC Barcelona.
There was only one thing that went wrong: Sounders fans went home disappointed as the soccer team was embarrassed by an aggregate count of 6-0 for the two games.
So, while this year's list of international games may not be as flashy, expectations were pretty much the same.
On May 26, Sounders FC hosted South American giant Boca Juniors. Hailing from Argentina, Boca Juniors has a history of dominance, which includes 18 official international titles, along with three club world titles. Of course, not as big of a name to the average soccer fan in this country who might awe at the name of a Manchester United or AC Milan, fans around the city still got out for this one.
What didn't change since the last two international contests was the fan interest. 40,000 packed Qwest Field for a chance to see one of the best clubs in the world.
The one thing that was significantly different from the exciting friendlies from last year: the results. And maybe the electric alternative jerseys they decided to rock as well.
Sounders FC, which had been struggling to find the back of the net during the first few months of MLS action, suddenly found their groove as the team pounded away for three impressive goals.
Roger Levesque got the scoring started right before halftime on a Fredy Montero freekick, in which Goalkeeper took a lucky rebound back toward an unprotected net when Levesque, the man that the rabid Emerald City Supporters call "The King," chest-bumped it in and put the home team in an unlikely lead.
In the 64th minute, Pat Noonan sealed the upset with fancy footwork in the box and a left footed strike over Boca goalkeeper Javier Garcia that sent Qwest Field into a frenzy.
The upset was sealed. But, that still wasn't good enough for the club that was attempting to represent and make a statement regarding the quality of soccer in this country, both with their play on the pitch, and their representation in the stands.
Michael Seamon, in his first ever game action with Sounders FC, blasted a shot ten yards outside of the box in the 70th minute, which bounced toward Garcia's left and into the net.
Sounders FC: three. South American and World Superpower: nil.
The way that Seattle dominated, you would've thought they were the ones with multiple international championships. Seattle controlled the ball the entire game, and completely limited the chances that Boca Juniors had to score, easily securing a shutout, even with the decorated Kasey Keller on the bench in the second half.
Of course, Boca has some excuses. Many of their players are away with Argentina on World Cup preparation, as well as have gotten hit with injuries. Had Seattle faced the A team, results could have been very different.
Still, this match was one of the many small dents, the many small statements, of the quality of the game in this country. In the near future, all 16 MLS clubs will host clubs from around the world, with hopes of playing competitively.
The culmination will be on July 28, when the MLS All-Stars will face Manchester United.
In the Pacific Northwest, Sounders FC will get a few more cracks at international competition, hosting the Scottish Premier League runner ups, Celtic FC on July 18.
Shortly after, Sounders FC will begin play in the CONCACAF Champions league, joining three other MLS teams, in a tournament featuring the best clubs in North America.
The hope is to continue improving the image of the beautiful game in this country.
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