Roger Levasque visits Doyles Pub -

 
So I did not think meeting a member from the Sounders FC would be such a laid back experience. I was expecting a lot of photographs, lines, crowds, and handlers and PR people. Roger was such a laid back and normal guy that I think the PR agent mistook me for him when I walked up to the bar that night. A nice girl was standing in front of the bar with a cell phone and waved to me as I approched. I should point out, I am fairly certian that she was waving at me, because no one else was ahead or behind me on the sidewalk, it was dusk, and it was about 7:00 pm. He ended up showing a little bit later. As you can see from the photo, we do have a similar build so this is just a hunch. (I never did have a chance to ask if that was the case.)
Anyway, Roger arrived. He met with fans, smiled, shook hands with people, laughed, had a beer, and talked with people sitting around. A pretty laid back guy, He is from Maine, where I hear people are just that way. So however he made it to Seattle, I think he'll find there is a bit like home. Even with its Big City attitude Seattle still has its roots in fishing, and logging industry, much like back East.

I asked him what it was like to work for Sigi Schmidt, and what its like being in the MLS. He responded with an answer that sounded like he has answered the question before. (My effort at asking a unique question fell horribly flat.) The team is getting behind what Sigi has been doing and saying. As an expansion team, it is I am sure vital to start with a good baseline to build from. With Sigi and the reputation he has for being a consistant, and consistanly winning coach, this is probably more a strategic move from the management, than anything. And of course everyone likes to win right? Roger pointed out that in the MLS he has to be "on" all the time. Meaning mentaly and physically sharp, ready, aware of the situation. In college there was room to take a break on the practice field, during a game, in the locker room. But the demand has increased so that at anytime he has to be 'on' during the game, practice, review, everything.
Roger is a guy who probably after a season of soccer, and two games left is enjoying taking a short break, ( Sounders have been off for a week, and play again this Saturday.) only to be energized for the rest of the season. You can tell that behind the laid back personality, there is a guy who knows how to play soccer, and enjoys what he's doing.