Boom. Freddie Ljungberg is Out Of Here.
By: Denny |
3 Comments
Category: Seattle Team News
Officially Official: El Flaco Ha Llegado
By: Denny | 2 Comments
Plastered all over the Sounders website is the news of Alvaro Fernandez arrival in Seattle. In fact, Seattle waited until he came and practiced for the first time before they officially announced it, almost as if we were all waiting on the edge of our seats with no clue as to who he is. Oh, but we know.
Anyways, in the picture above you can see the incredible farmer’s tan developing on Patrick Ianni’s right arm, though I really do hope it’s equally intense on his left arm or it would be really awkward. Oh wait! Look, you can see El Flaco! I almost missed him standing right in front of Patrick, because, well, as his Spanish nickname implies, the guy is a stick.
What do you guys think of our big summer signing? Can he and Blaise combine to give us what we want? More importantly, can they give us what we need?
Category: Seattle Team NewsThe Sounders Finally Show the World, We’ve Grown Up
By: Denny | 2 Comments
photocredit: teamduran.flickr
Category: Seattle Team NewsChampions League Metapan
By: Denny | 5 Comments
The top dogs of El Salvadorian football are playing the Sounders hard right now in Seattle’s first ever Champions League appearance. Three cards already, as both sides are waiting to get some rhythm going. This game is looking scrappy…
The game is on FSC right now!
WOW. JUST WOW. THAT MONTERO GOAL.
Category: Seattle Team NewsBest. Day. Evar.
By: Denny | 6 Comments
Today was a pretty good day for American soccer. More specifically for those of us in Seattle, but there were plenty of wins all around to go with the good feelings and general awesomeness.
First,
Seattle has officially leapfrogged into 3rd-to-last. After finishing the Colorado series with today’s solid win (a team we should have beaten twice to begin with), we are now ahead of the Houston Dynamo, who are two points back with one game in hand. However, this means we are no longer shamefully lapped in points by LA, who have 40 to our 22.
Yesssss!
Also as a result of the game, I will never again trust the pre-match matchday info from the Sounders website. They got a couple of the starters wrong, as they’ve done before. I think I’ll stick to using common sense for predicting the starting line-ups.
In other news around the country, there were great wins for MLS clubs over big EPL teams from Manchestershire. Kansas City got an incredible win with only 10 men over Manchester United. One of my favorite American players of all time Davy Arnaud got in on the action to help a historic result in the usually American football staidum.
Also, New MLS goldenboy Handball Henry’s charging Red Bulls got the win over Manchester City in their local summer friendly cup. Even though I was only watching highlights, it’s fantastic to see packed stadiums and noisy crowds cheering not because teams of 100’s of millions are running circles around us, but because we’re beating the English at their own game. After years of watching disappointing MLS-European friendlies in the summer time, I can truly appreciate this.
AND, in case you didn’t hear! My favorite mustached menace Roger Levesque got Goal of the Week honors for this glorious game-winning goal against DC last weekend. Combine that with this week’s double from Steve Zakuani. Doublicious!
Category: Seattle Team NewsRapids Part II
By: Denny | 1 Comment
Earlier in the season, Seattle played a disappointing loss at Colorado. Tomorrow, we’ll get a chance to exact revenge and show that we’re making the right steps towards finishing the season strong. Our past several matches have been a sign of hope, but if we’re to keep it alive we can’t give Colorado any room in this precious home match.
What: Home Rematch against Colorado for Week #16? 15? doesn’t really matter at this point
Who: Colorado Rapids
Where: Qwest Field
When: 730PM FSC, 97.3 KIRO
Necessary Chatter
Freddie Notably Missing in the Official Sounders Matchday, then again, so is Blaise
cRapids Preview, GoooooSoooounnnders
SeattlePie Preview
Cheat Sheet for Who You’ll Be Looking At, Sounder@<3
If you’re feeling lucky
Key to the Match: Playing smart
If the Sounders matchday card is any sort of indication of Sigi’s mental game plan, then he’s taking a chance by going for youth and energy at first, and most likely going to sub in the likes of Nkufo and Alonso later in the game. This could be good, because Colorado are by no means an LA-type of team. They play scrappy ball, kind of like us at our worst, and when two scrappy teams meet usually the one with the more energy to run and make those 50-50 balls wins. Then again, when two scrappy teams meet, the result usually has more to do with luck or poor refereeing than anything else.
That’s why it’ll be important to see if young guy Mike Seamon can control the field. He’s pretty much been thrown into the things since he’s come from Villanova as a rookie a couple weeks ago. In that time, he’s logged some starting minutes and has shown good poise. But does he have composure? This will be the game to cement that feeling, and see if he can work effectively underneath Nkufo and our forwards. If he can grab an assist or two, while shutting down Colorado’s center (not that they need it, scrappy teams just play long balls down the sides), then we may not even need to shell out the big bucks for another DP once Fernandez gets here. In any case, this will be a big game for Seamon, and a chance for him to show off what he’s learned this past week.
Players to Step Up: Mike Seamon, Jeff Parke, Roger Levesque
Players to Watch Out For: Conor Casey, Omar Cummings, Pablo Mastroeni
Category: Seattle Team NewsWho is Álvaro Fernández?
By: Denny | 5 Comments
See, this is what happens when I wait to write something about possible Sounders transfer prospects. The club goes ahead and sign a player without waiting for my advice.
I first saw it today on GoSounders. I don’t quite know who broke it first, but it doesn’t really matter. The buzz is that this deal is about as done as Freddie is to leaving us. In case you didn’t hear that bit about Freddie yet, sorry, but it looks like he’s on his way out.
Just for you guys, I went ahead and did some research on this Álvaro Fernández guy. Not much is known about him in the English speaking football world, but if you check out his wiki, someone’s already taken the liberty to edit it to include him as part of the Seattle roster. Ten bucks says it was Hanauer sitting on his computer at work.
I used my super exclusive scouting resources and dug up this.
Álvaro Fernández Gay
Versatile Midfielder, plays centrally
Right Footed
10/11/1985
Nueva Palmira, Uruguay
Got his start at Uruguay Montevideo Futbol Club (2005), before moving onto the following clubs, Club Atletico Atenas (8/1/2006), Montevideo Wanderers (1/25/2007), Club Puebla de la Franja (2008), and most recently Club Nacional (1/7/2009).
As a part of Club Nacional, he helped them finish runners up to Penarol last season. Nacional are one of the two “big” clubs in Urugauy Primera, who are one of the few South American countries on a European calender and not the Apertura/Clausura, so this capture will get a couple headlines in Uruguay. He was a part of the Uruguay Selection at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.
Out of 7 games and 660+ possible minutes, Fernández played in four games, totaling 75 minutes.
South Africa sub 71 for Fucile (LB)
Mexico sub 85 for Suarez (CF)
Korea sub 84 for Suarez (CF)
Started Ghana (RW) subbed off 45
He seems to be a very versatile and flexible player, which is just the thing Sigi is thinking right now with key injuries and a lack of midfield dominance in recent games.
According to my “source” he has a high work rate, likes to move forward whenever possible, and floats outside the area so he can arrive late into opposition areas during attacks. He is not specifically defense minded, but he can serve that role in a pinch, as he showed when going in for Fucile for Left Back.
How he would fit into Sigi’s system? Good question.
Because he is so versatile, I imagine Sigi would deploy similarly to how he has played Patrick Ianni or Nathan Sturgis. Depending on how well he can cope with the physicality of the American game versus the highly technical Uruguayan league, he may be suited for a central free role. I can’t really say, because I haven’t seen him play. But it seems like an obvious fit if you’re trying to think like a Sigi.
The club refuse to say anything yet confirming the deal, as Josh points out at the Times.
“The club is continuing to look at all options to improve the squad during the transfer window. We are aware there are several reports circulating, but we have no comment at this time. If a move is made, then we will make an announcement.”
So, can we expect this to come through in the coming days? What does it mean exactly in terms of transfer money, and more importantly, players on their way out? Is this the first card to fall that gets Freddie on his way out?
Category: Seattle Team NewsMinor Things
By: Denny | 4 Comments
Chyeauh, check it out.
Updates all around, good and not so good, so get caught up with your mid-week Sounders rush. I’ve got some cells to grow and some protein to purify, but I promised a look at the transfer situation going on in the offices in Tukwila. Especially with some of the stuff happening now with our one and only Freddie Ljungberg, who by the looks of it at the end of the week may no longer be ours, it’s extremely warranted. But first, minor things.
1. First, Oswald Is Back.
Our midfield is suddenly now able to hold water better than a net.
2.Open Cup Tickets
If you were lazy like me last time and missed out, don’t wait. Buy your tickets right now. Like, pull out your wallet and punch in those small hard to read numbers. Don’t forget your expiration date. There’s only 5,000 or so tickets available, and September 1st really isn’t that far away. Considering we’ll be playing the one (and only) team below us in the standings, Chivas USA, there’s a chance it’ll be a good match.
3. Kasey Keller Save of the Week?
Count your vote here, as he’s up against the likes of Billy Hesmer and two saves from KC’s Jimmy Nielsen. But I love Kasey’s acrobatic save. The whole match against DC, he was playing like he had full head of hair again. Go ahead, give him this week’s award.
4. Putting Away the Vuvuzela’s for Storage
Yeah, the next closest chance you’ll get to use them is in Brazil in 2014, as anyone in their right mind at Qwest or Starfire would beat you with your own vuvuzela. So here’s a fitting final note to the legendary musical instrument that is the Vuvuzela.
“Ah! Quiet smoke!”
5. Sal Zizzo Lottery
Nabbed via NSC, I’m going to mention this later in the transfer bit I’m working on (haven’t started yet). But 23 year-old USMNT youth standout Sal Zizzo has left Hannover 96, and a lottery for the chance to sign him up is today at 2PM PST. DC, KC, and Chivas all have the best chances of signing him up, since it’s a probability based on the results of the last 30 games. Seattle are lowly away at 8th, with a 5.51% chance in the lottery.
I’ll check back later to see who ends up getting the priority of signing him. A club can also pass up and choose not to, so if we do land the opportunity to nab Zizzo, well, who knows?
6. Training Fitness
Good news, Michael Fucito is making some progress in training. Bad news, Nate Jaqua seems to be taking a step back. Brad Evans was also limited in training today, courtesy of the Times.
7. Finally, Paperwork for Dissolution of Union
I was going to put off on this for the thing I’m supposed to be writing later, but screw it, it’s come to this and we must accept it. I’m extremely sorry to report, but it’s just about done. All that needs to be done for Freddie to leave is signature and stamps, according Mayers. Reading the recent sit-down transcripts he had with technical director Chris Henderson and Sigi Schmid is downright depressing. Sorry ladies, but I think the chiseled butt is off to model a different set of colored underwear.
More on that later…
Category: Seattle Team NewsSeattle lose to Celtic, but not the last of meaningless games
By: Denny | 2 Comments
I was debating between starting with a pichur of our new Golden boy Blaise or this one, but this one won me over for some reason. I think it’s the grace and elegance that Alonso brings to the frame.
45,631 fans came out in rave green, electric yellow, hoops and red hair. It was another exercise of international friendship (marketing) that did more for our team’s image than it did for results. I can tell this by the 2-1 scoreline, but that isn’t to say that it’s the Sounders fault. Once again, refs make Americans everywhere guffaw in confusion.
Sadly, I missed the game, as I was stuck at work for the entirety. However, I did see several people in rave green and asked about the result. When a customer told me “Our keeper got a red card”, I immediately thought “Oh Kasey…”, but then was told it was Terry Boss. Which then I would’ve thought that Kasey would then replace. When I got home, I saw that it wasn’t. Who the hell is Jordan Jennings?
Anyways, the fact that the scoreline remained so low kind of has me wondering how we didn’t win? Looking at the starting line-up, Sigi was clearly going for the win (in a completely meaningless friendly – by this I mean not so meaningless), by starting almost a first XI team, with the exception of keeper. This had me thinking that he left out Kasey because of some sort of lingering injury, because with Colorado a week away I don’t see why he shouldn’t have started. Anyways, speculation.
Because I’m waiting to download the match and watch it, I can’t say much. I’ll just help you along for meaningful chatter, in a bit. For now, I can say that now that the game is over and we lost, the match was meaningless. However, had we won with the likes of David Estrada firing us back into it, and had Fredy stayed on if the game was reffed by a total idiot, then it could’ve been a fantastic chance for the team to gel together for the first time with our new teammate. It’s always critical to get a feel for how a team plays together when new faces show up. If you don’t get that, then you’re screwed really. Practice and training is great for drills, but nothing is more important than actual game time. So I hope Blaise got a good chance to feel out his new home and teammates. From what I saw, he looked good and had a couple good link-ups. But that early red card must have him scratching his head thinking WTF ref’s drink in America.
And in terms of that ref, I have nothing to say. I’ll let the ref speak for himself. Let’s ask him some questions.
Q:Why are you such a negative Nancy?
“I did not feel the Celtic player was going to retain possession and therefore did not play an advantage.”
Q:Would anyone else who isn’t an idiot make the same call you did?
“The red card is mandatory as, under Law 12, the keeper is guilty of denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity by an offense (trip) punishable by a penalty kick.”
Oh. Fine, I see how it is. Go and run back to your little rule book, you… you big fat fathead.
All unexplainable negative Nancy’s aside, we had one great positive that lasted 60 minutes. Blaise got his debut at home, albeit without the win. Still, his impressions of the following.
Q:What do you think of your new team, and how did you feel about your first game?
“I’m happy. I finally played my first game with my new team and my new teammates. It was fun. When you arrive like that, it’s always difficult, but finally I could play and now I can move on and focus on the next game.”
Q:What do you think of MLS? After playing with your new teammates, are you regretting taking such a nosedive in competitive play, or do you think MLS can maybe be a challenge for you? Can you teach us how to play “football”?
“I never compare the leagues or the teams because it changes a lot, but this team can be a good team. There’s a few things we can work on to get better, but we try to keep possession and that’s good.”
It’s good to see a positive reaction from Blaise, knowing that it could have been a little better for him. The hard part now is bearing the remainder of this season, with 14 or more games left to go. We have a full week (whew, finally) until our home date with the Rapids. In the meantime, I’ll take a look at the rest of this season as I get ready to write it off as done. I kid, I kid. We definitely have a chance to make the remainder of the season not so lost and hopeless. It’s just very small.
Category: Seattle Team NewsSilly Season Swings Through MLS
By: Denny | 5 Comments
The World Cup has ended, which means that the summer transfer season is in full swing around the world, MLS included. The summer transfer window is open, and if you’ve been hiding under a rock, Thierry Henry is the first big name who’s made to the move to NYRB.
If you watched the Sounders match yesterday, ESPN was all over the Henry signing like it was the only thing happening in sports. Which it was, weirdly enough. ESPN anchors and American sports fans alike who don’t necessarily follow soccer but know the name Henry were all somewhat shocked by the big move. Of course, our incredible team of bloggers here at The Offside have known the rumor for quite some time, so hearing it finally announced was a just vindication of our ability to sort through the chaff of the rumor mill. It’s about as hard as having a birthday. But give us, and yourselves, some credit.
If you noticed up above, I said Henry is the first name. Which means, as I believe, there is a good chance we might see another big name coming into MLS. Most notably I’m talking about this story that Soccernet put up today.
The one thing I’ve learned about MLS rumors and how they are different than the back pages of say, The Sun, is that they are usually true. As in, we had months of just getting whiffs and rumors of Ljungberg becoming Seattle’s DP, and we were right. So, now there’s rumors of Ronaldinho and other names like Rafa Marquez, Oscar Perez, and Fabio Cannavaro. Of course, ESPN could just be feeding the Henry-MLS-is-finally-making-it-big frenzy, but the fact that RSL owner was the source makes me think hard into this.
Seattle’s FO has been able to stay relatively quiet this summer, with the signing of Blaise secured long ago when Seattle’s season was still looking solid. However, the season’s form has been begging for some changes. With so many transfer rumors circling, you’re bound to talk about Freddie Ljungberg leaving. And the fact that Seattle has room for one more DP, and more than enough money to pay that luxury tax for the third DP.
Why? Freddie has gotten fat. The biggest change he’s added this season is his new hair-do. Now there are definitely other solutions that don’t require shipping him off to a better paying retirement facility (New York). Like exchanging him for Juan Pablo Angel, so that he can join his long lost love Henry. There, they could both pretend to relive their Invincible glory days before they realize how shoddy MLS really is, like a hot tub time machine, only where your current wage-paying time dimension is several commas better than anything you could try to aim for when you were young prodigy teenagers with the world at your feet.
I didn’t immediately like the thought of a Freddie-Juan Angel swap, but it’s been bouncing around my head all day, and I’m not entirely neutral to the idea. It’s clear that MLS’s shape is changing in American sports, but so is the competitive landscape. If anything, after the first semester we should have at least learned our lesson against procrastination and thinking we did all of our homework. That’s why with all the rumors floating around, I think it’s time Seattle grabbed onto one and turned it into a solid chance to reignite our season. We’re far from finished, and with Blaise making his long-awaited debut soon, huge guys like Nate Jaqua and Oswaldo Alonso finally working back into the fold, and young ones Montano and Seamon showing their passion and potential, we have a good chance to spring forward into fall, instead of lagging behind at the bottom.
Just an FYI, Freddie didn’t fly out to DC because of his ankle “flare-up” (don’t you love how they call Freddie injuries “flare-ups”?). Also, the head honcho has repeatedly said that they won’t be actively renegotiating contracts, ie Freddie’s, in the middle of the season. The FO is determined to handle contracts at the end of the season. This seems like a smart move so that we make sure we have a good system before we tie anyone down, but this is not how you do contracts in Europe, and you can bet it has Freddie wondering where he could go in the immediate future. So, because Freddie knows he’s free to focus on his playing and form, you can bet 100% he’ll instead be distracted thinking about rejoining Thierry. At the same time, it doesn’t mean the FO is completely closed off on offers if something else pops up. Like a new/2nd DP making his way to Seattle.
I’m working on a shortlist of players I think we could use. Be back later. In the meantime, let’s hope Henry and Blaise get good MLS showings in their friendlies.
Category: Seattle Team News
Home 
