Haha, I read a few anti Blaise comments on facebook too. But there it was stuff like "he walks too much."
I think they are confusing Nkufo with Ljungberg I disagree. I see it as the exact opposite, actually. A lot of upside and the future looks bright. I fully expect to see guys like Seamon, Nyassi, Zakuani, Montero, Sturgis, Estrada, et al to get better with time.
I don't think any of the players are at fault, they are who they are and I doubt they will change overnight. All fault belongs on the FO and Sigi, plain and simple. You guys should really hire me as a consultant,lol. 1. Believe it or not the Turf is and will be one of SSFC biggest hurdles, from mounting injuries to the attraction for new players it is what it is. 2. Sigi just waffles way too much. Should have sat FL down on the right wing and told him to stay there, end of story. Now the prima donna roams the park like a yapping chihuahua. I've seen so many different line ups over the past 18 months, how can there be any consistency. 3. Vagenas and Sturgis at those salaries have no value and should hve been let go after last season. Marshall should only provide depth as a back up or ship him out, to gaffe prone. 4. It was sooooo obvious yet was not addressed, where is our play maker? Sounders need someone, anyone who can be a real #10 and distribute the ball into the attack. 5. Terrible depth on this team all over the park, injuries can be mitigated by a little depth on the roster. Should have signed in the OFF SEASON, a forward, a central midfielder who can start the attack, a CB who could start instead of Marshall, a midfielder who can cross from the wing into the box, and a RB that doesn't let the opposing player run all they way into the box before they stick in a challenge. All in all you dump a few and sing 5 to 6 new players. Seems like a majority of all the other teams in the league had this much turnover except the Sounders. 6. Sitting on your ass and patting your self on the back gets you passed by and found wanting, thats exactly what happened to the SSFC FO.
While I agree that it may be a deterent to some "DP" canidates to play in Seattle, can we get over the "it causes more injuries" BS. Seriously there are teams that play on grass who have had close to as many injuries as we have this year. If we were playing on crappy astro turf sure then that is a valid comment. This field turf is in no real way worse than grass injury wise. Also, we had little problems last year. I disagree that we have bad depth "all over". When you lose pretty much the WHOLE middle part of the field you are going to have problems (CD, both CM). I think these last few games have been proof of how good the players we have are. Sigi has just been too stubborn to play the new guys when the old guys weren't working. Montano has been a great signing, Nyassi is starting to get himself closer to starting time, Sturgis has played decently well (definitely better at corners than Ljungberg), Montero is now playing well in the position he's best at. I agree we could probably lose Marshall, Vagenas, and Noonan and sign some better players, though. Nkufo looks like a great addition. He seems to play like a world class version of Jaqua almost at Target Forward, imo. I think if Ljungberg can drop the attitude he could still fit into this team too, but if he leaves that gives us room to sign someone else. Really this team doesn't need much more than players that are willing to give it their all, they have the talent.
I agree with this -- with the caveat that it would be nice if those talented players could go long periods of time without injury. The MLS' salary cap and requirement that 16 of the 24 players be Americans or (hold green cards) keeps a pretty strict lid on the talent level of particularly the bench players. Our starting group is among the best in the league, IMO. Really can any of us argue against Keller, Gonzàlez, Hurtado, Parke, Riley, Zakuani, Alonso, Evans, Ljungberg, Montero and Nkufo as one of the best starting 11s in MLS? I'd put that group up against any other. It's just that we haven't seen that starting group together at any time this year. And may not.
so true, overmanagement and insecurity have plagued this coach this year. and despite all his experience, he has never felt directly this kind of pressure to perform, other MLS coaches dont get near the attention as he does because he is the ssfc coach. i mean when KC plays poorly do you see a media uproar and blogosphere bashing as you do in seattle? no you dont. I think a lot of rash coaching decisions were made to simply provide a quick fix and stave off the fans and media.
You know that this is not true. With Alonso, Evans, and Jaqua's situations (and maybe Ljungberg), these two have become very valuable. Who do you suggest should take the corners when Ljungberg is not in good form? Sometimes, depth is important. Both of them received their deserved pay cuts for not being a starter last year. But releasing them for nothing is not a good idea. Can I assume that you didn't watch the latest DCU and FCD games?
Which is why we need an international coach who is used to pressure. Sigi is a sterotypical American College Soccer coach. If the Sounders are serious about wanting to be one of "The Premier Clubs of the Americas" we need a coach with a pedigree. I vote for: Roberto Donadoni. Fomer MLS player. Knows MLS players. Knows international players. Understands the league. Understands pressure to perform. No longer at Napoli.
Haha, nice! I doubt we'd win many more games with him in charge but at least we'd score off of free kicks. I'm sure the Saudi's are paying him well though.
Is there a reason no MLS team is approaching Feilhaber? Forgive my ignorance, but given his team was relegated, one would think he's open to a transfer. Are there other options open to him? Has he been mentioned at all in this transfer market? We could use, a strong-caliber domestic player, it is something the Sounders lack. Could he be a fit do you think? I thought he had a decent WC (albeit off the bench).
Greg Seltzer of Soccer365 reported Benny F's in talks with a La Liga team, and things are progressing well. Seltzer went so far as to say that it "sounds good to me already." Haven't heard an update since Fri/Sat.
Dude, you must be young or something. O-30 as in over 30. Us old farts know that because we play in that league to keep from getting our asses kicked. Yes, the "zero to 30" guys do have an upside. So we agree, not disagree.
Yes I did, and against Dallas he was at fault with the 1st goal and sending his keeper out to pasture. He kept the attacker on side when he fell over is own two feet.
Actually, Nkufo would be an attacking upgrade on most MLS teams not named the Galaxy. He might be pedestrian but knows where to go with the ball and can hold very well. That in it self is something no Sounder forward has been able to do. I see a lot more assists coming from the forwards with Nkufo up top.
Does a 6'1, 24.8 yo, Uruguayan International Midfielder work? Alvaro Fernandez, CM/AM/DM/RM, subbed in 4 times during the World Cup. Supposed to have pretty decent speed and a good passer. According to this article, it says he's signing paperwork tomorrow to come to Seattle. Unconfirmed, but could be true. Yesterday he gave an interview saying he was going to MLS, to the state of Washington. But some interpreted that as being DC, Washington. So it's unclear.
This would be a great signing. I've seen the "El Flaco" play he is quality. http://worldsoccerreader.com/2010/07/update-alvaro-fernandez-to-join-seattle-sounders/ This is exciting if true.
There's a video if someone has some Spanish skills. Alas, I only understand every couple words. Darn HS spanish has let me down again!!
He says he is going to continue his career in the MLS, and he will travel to US on Monday. He says the team is in the State of Washington, but doesn't know much else about the team. (So it is possible he thinks DC United is in Washington State, I suppose). I think it is Sounders because he calls the team "Sitli", so he probably doesn't know how to pronounce Seattle.
world soccer reader intially said he was going to DC united but updated to state hes going Seattle Sounders.
As I've said all along just give the FO a chance. Things might not always go as quickly as we fans might like, but our FO isn't stupid. Of course this doesn't necessarily mean it's true yet but it's not beyond belief.
Everyone looks good in highlights but here is one... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDH3lmYPubE"]YouTube- Alvaro Fernández -Volante- Parte 1 de 3[/ame] The description says: "Volante mixto, con buena llegada al área, buen remate, veloz y práctico. Inteligente táctica e individualmente." In short translates as: a practical player with good speed, shot and aerial play. Intelligent tactically and individually.