The first-ever head coach of the Seattle Sounders passed away this week.
John Best, who coached the old Sounders in the North American Soccer League (NASL), died on Sunday night aged 74 due to a lung infection.
The England-born former Liverpool defender took charge of the Sounders back in 1974 and coached them until 1976 before returning to the club as general manager in 1982.
A former Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County player, Best begun a tradition in the Seattle area which one of his old players, Dave Gillett, says has carried on to today's Sounders.
"The basics were to play for the fans and form a link," Gillett told the Seattle Times.
"That's what John envisioned 40 years ago. You could build a club with tradition and history and one that made the fans a part of the team."
