This just popped up on Sounders FC facebook: http://o.seattletimes.nwsource.com/...013319764_sounders_fc_forward_fredy_mont.html I know that opens up an Intl spot, which is a big deal for us with Hurtado coming back... but honestly how did he receive it so fast? And why is there sudden talk now of Zakuani possibly playing USMNT when he gets his green card imminently... My understanding was that he is still years away from being eligible. (But again, hey, another Intl roster spot!)
The more the merrier with the league and rosters expanding good American talent will be scarcer if Nyassi and Zakuani can gets there green cards will be much better positioned.
That certainly came out of nowhere. I wonder when Hurtado is going to get his... His kid is already an American citizen, so I would think he'd be "fast tracked".
Nice pick me up from that loss. The Sounders have done great thus far at finding good int'l talent. More players we can count as domestic the better.
Of course, one possible drawback is that Montero no longer counts as an international for the upcoming expansion draft. With a requirement that you protect 3 internationals you may be forced to protect somebody you weren't planning on instead of a domestic player you wanted to protect. The Rapids are running into this with Cummings, Kimura, and Kandji all having gotten green cards this year.
I doubt that will be an issue. Still have Nkufo, Fernandez, Hurtado, and Zakuani that are on the "for sure" list. Zakuani's green card might create problems once that arrives though.
If Montero moves out of the country he forfeits the green card. That plus his recent house purchase are really good signs he is staying here for a while.
It is indeed positive. I will note also that Montero is working hard with his english as well. It can still mean some European team sweeps him off his feet, but clearly both the franchise and the player are committed to each other. He's a wonderful player to watch, I hope he stays a Sounder for a long time.
Good point, but I think the Sounders have 6 international players they would strongly consider protecting without Montero. Hurtado Fernandez Nkufo Nyassi Zakuani Gonzalez
I think that's all wishful thinking on our part, honestly. Zakuani had already made up his mind when he heard Landon talk glowingly about him regarding the USMNT - and Zakuani doesn't even have a timeline on his green card. Keep in mind he's already an English citizen and can immediately play for Congo. I'm not sure his decision would be for a team he's not even eligible to play for yet. Congrats to Montero on the green card! That combined with his house purchase definitely points the finger toward him staying here awhile...
From the quotes I've read it sounds like Leo, Zakuani Hurtado and Nyassi are all on the path to getting their green cards with Zakuani's being eminent. This is huge and would give Adrian a ton of flexibility in building the roster going forward. It means he can take more fliers on young internationals like Monatano who may need a year or two to work their way onto the first team.
It also means my long-time fretting that our American players aren't good enough is moot. In a league that requires a minimum number of Americans, we didn't really have a great group. But Alonso has been considered an American since he got here, thanks to Cuban asylum rules. And now Montero and Zak and maybe more will all be "Americans" by MLS standards. That means that we can front load with even more overseas talent and start letting go of players who are just on the roster because they are Americans -- guys like Graham and Scott. I would be shocked if we weren't out looking for a big striker from somewhere else to replace the eventual departure of Jaqua and/or Nkufo. Too bad we didn't jump on Saborio last year, but there are others out there like him. I would also be shocked if we weren't looking for more defenders from out of the country. People love James Riley's attitude and his positive contributions in the community, but his spot seems one that is fairly easily upgradable on the international market.
I disagree with your analysis. I doubt Zak is even on the radar for England. I'm sure the Brits think they have 15 guys between their domestic leagues that they would rate higher. And I think choosing Congo would only have to be out of some sense of responsibility or leadership dreams or something -- wanting to be a "Drogba" for his birth country. Because that country is a nightmare of war and disaster at this point. Even going "home" to play games there is a dangerous decision. Honestly I think the U.S. is a real option for Zak. He could be fighting for starting time on that team immediately -- replacing Charlie Davies as the speed up top next to Altidore. For soccer and family reasons I could easily see Zak choosing the U.S.
So, one thing that confused me about Donovan's comment about having Bradley contact Zakuani as soon as he gets his green card. Wouldn't Zakuani have to be a US citizen to play for USMNT? Just having a green card isn't enough, is it? If Zakuani needs to be a citizen, he's got 2-3 years before he's finished that process..
Leo play has been more suspect of late, but I agree we could get a solid fullback to upgrade the backline