Seattle Sounders Notebook -- Midfielder Robertson Joins Roster

Midfielder Ralph Robertson, the newest Seattle Sounder, is expected to be in uniform for tomorrow night's A-League soccer match in El Paso and Sunday's in Sacramento.

Robertson, a midfielder who scored no points in three appearances for the Pacific Division rival Sacramento Geckos this season, has signed a contract with the Sounders, the team announced yesterday. He trained with the Sounders in the preseason.

Seattle Coach Neil Megson said Robertson "is fit and ready to play. He will add depth and balance in the midfield. We wanted to sign Ralph at the start of the season but were not able to work things out."

Robertson was a teammate of Sounders Mark Baena and Randy Mann with the California Jaguars. He played in 62 games for the Jaguars from 1996 to 1998, scoring 16 goals and 33 assists.

Midfielder Oliver Heald has signed a Seattle contract, an extension of his initial 10-day invitation.

Heald, who had five goals and four assists in 27 games for the Vancouver 86ers last year, played for the Sounders in their June 7 exhibition against Major League Soccer's San Jose Clash. He will be eligible to play when his Canadian visa status is approved.

The Sounders have placed midfielder Troya Cowell on waivers. Cowell left the team last week and returned to his home in San Francisco.

Notes

-- The Sounders have lost their last four matches, including two exhibitions.

-- If nicknames carry any power, tomorrow's Sounder opponent could be extra formidable. The El Paso Patriots take their nickname from the Scud-busting Patriot missile depot at nearby Fort Bliss.

-- Former Husky Kyle Godat started at midfield for the Sounders Sunday in their 1-0 exhibition loss to the Spokane Shadow in Spokane. Spokane, now 1-4 against the Sounders, plays in the USL Premier League's Northwest Division, two levels below the Sounders. However, the two teams will meet again in the U.S. Open Cup.

-- Cincinnati's Craig Yacks earned A-League Player of the Week honors for his hat trick Sunday against Indiana. The Sounders host Cincinnati July 16.

-- The Sounders return to Renton Memorial Stadium June 26 to face the division-leading San Diego Flash, a team that shut them out 2-0 May 15.