Freddie Ljungberg Traded, Seattle Sounders To Face San Jose

The news has been swirling for weeks about Freddie Ljungberg and now, there is solid information to report concerning his status. Seattle Sounders FC announced Friday that the Swedish international star has been traded to the Chicago Fire in exchange for a selection in the 2011 or 2012 Super Draft. Ljungberg, 33, a two time MLS All-Star selection for the Sounders, led Seattle and finished fourth in in the league with nine assists in 2009. He was named the MLS October Player of the Month after assisting on the team's final four goals of the regular season, helping the Sounders reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in the club's inaugural season. Ljungberg was also a finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year. "Freddie is a tremendous individual and an exceptional player who contributed greatly to the huge success of Sounders FC, both on and off the field, in the past year and a half," said Adrian Hanauer, general manager. "Freddie, along with Kasey Keller, gave this club immediate stature in the world's game, and we are grateful for his service. We wish him all the best in Chicago." "I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful ...

Seattle Sounders Acquire Uruguayan National Alvaro Fernandez

On Thursday, the Seattle Sounders FC acquired Uruguay National Team midfielder Alvaro Fernandez. The 24-year-old Fernandez played in four matches for semifinalist Uruguay during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Fernandez qualifies as the club's third Designated Player. His signing will be finalized upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Fernandez has not yet been added to the active roster. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Fernandez started for Uruguay in the quarterfinal against Ghana, and was a substitute in wins over South Africa, Mexico, and South Korea. La Celeste took fourth in South Africa, its best finish since 1970.  He has been capped 11 times by Uruguay, including appearances in six qualifiers-since his debut in 2008. "I'm very excited to be playing in the U.S. because the football has grown a lot in the last few years and keeps getting better," said Fernandez. "Seattle is beautiful and I think it's the ideal place to be with my family. All these things helped in making my decision." Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid said: "Alvaro is a versatile player who can play in a number of midfield positions. He brings good energy to the game as well as World Cup experience. He can ...

Fredy Montero Blast Gives Seattle Sounders 1-0 Win Over Metapan

Seattle striker Fredy Montero answered the call once more to give the Sounders one more dramatic win at a time of nervous deadlock. The Sounders pulled out a 1-0 triumph over El Salvador’s AD Isidro Metapan before 17,228 fans at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field in the first leg of CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round series Wednesday night. The game was moving into the final half hour and the Seattle Sounders had been unable to score despite numerous efforts and a stifling defense that kept the visitors at bay. An element of urgency was present for good reason.  With this the home leg and a rematch set for San Salvador on August 3 the Sounders could fall into a big hole with a draw and the road test beckoning. Montero had been kept on the bench until the 60th minute.  Seattle’s other speedy striker Steve Zakuani had come in during the 57th minute.  The stage was set and the booming leg of Montero, who was recently named to the MLS All-Star team for the second year in a row, was prepared for the occasion. After trotting onto the pitch to replace Nate Jaqua, Montero scored on his first touch within seconds of entering the ...

Keller, Montero, Ljungberg Named To MLS All-Star Team

Goalkeeper Kasey Keller, midfielder Freddie Ljungberg and forward Fredy Montero of Sounders FC have been named three of seven inactive MLS All-Stars, MLS announced Tuesday. All three aforementioned Sounder choices played in last year's annual All-Star game. This season they will be inactive and not play in the Wednesday, July 28 All-Star classic due to Seattle's CONCACAF Champions League play-in with Metapán that same evening on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. First kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT. All three reflect different aspects of the Seattle playing experience. Keller at 40 remains one of the stellar performers of the game at goalkeeper. His value extends beyond the statistics column in determining his overall value as captain of the team who supplies a spark with his presence as he continues making great saves. Swedish star Ljungberg is in his glory in the midfield area leading charges goal ward and shooting passes to strikers. Colombian Montero continues to impress not only with his scoring punch, enhanced by his superb kicking prowess, but with his constantly developing talent as an alert feeder who has generated assists. Montero has a knack for knowing when to pass when opponents, fearing his scoring practice, have over-committed in an ...

Sounders Prepare For Foreign and Domestic Matches

International competition commences for the resurgent Seattle Sounders FC this week, with an important MLS match sandwiched in between the two legs of the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round series. Unbeaten in its last four matches in all competitions, Sounders FC hosts El Salvador's AD Isidro Metapán on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. PT. That interesting international test will be promptly followed on Saturday night by an important MLS test. Seattle moves back into league play, visiting the San Jose Earthquakes at 7 p.m. PT. The outcome of the Champions League series will be decided in San Salvador on August 3 at 7 p.m. PT. Both games against Metapán will be nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel. The Sounders with a 6-8-4 league mark and 22 points, continue to close ground on the eighth and final MLS Cup Playoffs position last week, beating Colorado, 2-1. Seattle has won two in a row and has not lost in its last three league starts dating back to July 11. The four-game unbeaten run in all competitions commenced with a 2-0 win over the L.A. Galaxy in a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal on July 7. Sounders Coach Sigi Schmid following Tuesday’s practice focused on Metapan and the challenge of international ...

Sigi Schmid Happy with Colorado Win, Prepares for Busy Week

Sigi Schmid's team had been plagued with injuries earlier in the season, but it appears that the Seattle Sounders players are healing just in time to make a run at a playoff spot. Schmid was happy with the play of his team in the 2-1 win over Colorado on Sunday.  He stated that the crucial victory was aided by the support of the Xbox Pitch Qwest Field fans. He commented on the fan support in the context of a question relating to the differences in the two matches against Colorado.  The first road game resulted in a 1-0 loss on a Connor Casey goal while Sunday’s meeting resulted in a 2-1 Sounders victory on two Steve Zakuani goals. "The first matchup was Jeff Parke, I think his first game, first or second game for our team,” Schmid said.  “His legs weren't under him at that point. So that was something we felt much better about. We really tried to do a better job of forcing their center backs to make the game for them. Early on, I think that worked well for us. I think they adjusted a little bit to it. “But for us it's really not so much about the tactical changes, ...

Steve Zakuani Tallies Twice, Seattle Sounders Edge Colorado 2-1

It was a sunny and relaxing early Friday afternoon in Seattle and behind the smile and energetic speaking manner, one could tell that Steve Zakuani was primed for a major effort. Looks proved prophetic in this case as Zakuani used his blistering speed to put himself in goal territory, tallying twice in the first half as the Seattle Sounders scored their first win this season against a Western Conference foe with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Colorado Rapids before 36,333 at the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field Sunday night. In a happy Sounders dressing room following the match, Zakuani was sporting another big smile, this one of fulfillment and accomplishment after arguably the team’s most crucial win of the season, one that propels Sigi Schmid’s team into the thick of the MLS playoff fight. Zakuani was asked about his buoyant spirit Friday afternoon and whether he had a premonition of a Sunday-night surge. “I’d had a very good week of practice,” Zakuani smiled, “and the team had a good week as well. I just sensed that we were ready and believed that we were going to do very well.” The three points that Coach Schmid regarded as so crucial for his team to acquire ...

Crunch Time For Seattle Sounders, Colorado Rapids

It is crunch time for the Seattle Sounders and the visiting Colorado Rapids as they prepare for a crucial Sunday night 7:30 pm showdown on the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field.   Coach Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders summed things up after Friday’s practice concerning the important of Sunday’s match.  “This is a 6 point swing game,” he said. Both teams in the Western Conference showdown entertain hopes of making the playoffs and a loss would be a major blow for either one.  This is particularly true of the home club as the Sounders enter play with a 5-8-4 record and 19 points. One of the teams the Sounders hope to move past is Colorado, which has a mark of 6-4-5 for 15 points and a fourth place standing.  After a strong start the Rapids have gone five matches without a win dating back to June 5.  There have had four draws during that stretch, including a 1-1 deadlock with Kansas City last week at home. Colorado gained its first win in a series that is currently 2-1-1 in Seattle’s favor on May 29 with a 1-0 win over the visiting Sounders.  Conor Casey tallied the match’s lone goal.  Last season the ...

Sounders Speak: Latest Info On Freddie Ljungberg

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Seattle Sounders midfielder Freddie Ljungberg will soon be with a different MLS team. Sounders General Manager Adrian Hanauer and Coach Sigi Schmid each attempted to inform the public on what is occurring in a tactful manner in addressing the topic of Ljungberg’s absence at team functions following a period when he was reported to have sustained an ankle injury. Hanauer and Schmid addressed the Ljungberg situation following Friday’s practice on the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field prior to Sunday night’s Western Conference match between the Sounders and the Colorado Rapids. As Hanauer exclaimed after practice: “Freddie at this time he is training by himself, getting healthy, getting fit. We agreed together that it made some sense to keep him away from the club as he is exploring other options.” Hanauer explored the topic further in noting,  “I don’t think there’s a secret that that’s happening. We just thought it was best to keep this team focused right here on winning on Sunday, let Freddie explore options. As that process plays out, we will take things as they come to us. Again, assuming something does or doesn’t happen in the next week or few days or two weeks, we will ...

Michael Seamon: Seattle Sounders Rising Midfield Star

If there is one word that fits Seattle Sounders midfielder Michael Seamon, it is discipline, which ties closely into his line of work. Seamon, born and bred in Rahway, New Jersey, made a quick jump from June graduation at Philadelphia’s Villanova University to starting midfielder for the Seattle Sounders. While acknowledging that Seamon possessed much promise, Coach Sigi Schmid also noted that he did not wish to rush the 21-year-old rookie and wanted to give him sufficient time to develop and adapt to MLS competition. The fact that he made it into the starting lineup this fast indicates Schmid’s belief that Seamon is a fast learner who has absorbed his lessons thoroughly. People can absorb more quickly if they possess exceptional levels of discipline. From the time he was young this was an attribute that Seamon possessed. “I always listened to my parents and my family was always important in my development,” Seamon said after Wednesday’s Sounders workout in Tukwila. “My mother and father, my three sisters, we formed an important bond.” Seamon began playing soccer at 5. When did he begin thinking that he had the tools to become a professional player? “It was during my junior season at Villanova,” Seamon revealed. “I still ...