Ljungberg | Dave Kean

Tag Archive: Ljungberg

Thanks Freddie, it’s been fun

Written on July 31, 2010 by Dave in Football, Personal

Ljungberg has moved to Chicago, with what’s happened over the last few weeks it is clearly a move that makes sense for Seattle. I don’t know if what went wrong will ever fully come out, rumours are there was a significant rift within the club. Schmidt, Hanauer and most vocally team captain Keller all questioning Freddie Ljungbergs commitment to the team. I’m sure over the next month or two we’ll learn more and more about what actually happened.

Freddie before the DCU game in June

Ljungberg was the second player signed by the team, Sebastian Le Toux was the first, and this signing did a lot for the franchise. It gave the entire organization an instant level of credibility months before the first ball was kicked and that they were willing to spend the money to attract top level talent. In short it made the football world take a little notice of this new club in the MLS.

In return Ljungberg has been a great ambassador for the league and club. He’s been very generous to the fans and has been clear that overall he’s enjoyed his time both at the club and living in the Pacific Northwest.

On the flip side he has occasionally held himself to a slightly different standard than the rest of the side with occasional weekends off and reporting late to training camp with no consequences because of a “misunderstanding”. To be fair to Freddie, the management has allowed it to happen.

Being late to the pre-season camp in Seattle earlier this year does seem to have particularly upset some of his teammates, most vocal was Casey Keller. But it started an undercurrent of discontent that may have led to his leaving the club with only a couple of months left on his contract. Additionally he’s had a somewhat public falling out with Sigi Schmidt over his discipline and attitude towards referees during games.

There is no question the Freddie has been on the receiving end of some vicious tackles, it seems to be a tactic that a number of teams employ against the more skillful players. It’s one of the things the MLS needs to take care of if they want to see the game played the way it can be.

Once he was dropped from games and was training alone it was just a matter of where he would go, rather than if he would go. His agent said a number of English and Italian clubs were interested in signing Ljungberg. The fact he ended up at Chicago rather than an ambitious European club looking for leadership shows that the interest never went much beyond a quick phone call to his agent.

From section 130 watching Freddie on the ball over the last 18 months was a treat. Clearly he was one of the most creative players in the league. The league never really suited his style fully, but when ever he was on the ball there was a chance that something interesting was going to happen. He did occasionally let his frustration that his team mates were not always at his level show, but generally he played his role as a leader well on the pitch.

I’m looking forward to welcoming Freddie back to Seattle on August 28^th when the Fire comes to RBP.

Thanks Freddie.

The move of Ljungberg to Chicago coincides with the arrival of Uruguayan international Alvaro Fernandez from Nacional.

This is the sort of player the league needs to attract. Signing big names like Beckham, Blanco, Henry and Ljungberg make a big splash in the sports pages and get people looking in the leagues direction. However it does not do much for the credibility of the league as a whole. Football in America and MLS (rightly or wrongly) has a reputation as a bit of a retirement home for big names.

Some of this is the legacy of the NASL where huge names like Pele, Beckenbauer, Alberto, Cruff, Moore and so on came to the league for a last big pay cheque before easing into retirement. This gave the league huge interest around the world and in some markets put bums on seats, but did nothing to add credibility that the NASL was a good or stable league.

If you have any interest in what led to the excesses of the NASL it’s worth looking for “Once in a Lifetime: The Incredible Story of the New York Cosmos” written by Gavin Newsham. It goes into this in some detail and is a good read. In short the lunatics were running the asylum, and in the case of the NY Cosmos running it with other people’s money with little accountability.

Back to Seattle’s new signing Alvaro Fernandez and why I think this could be more important the New York signing Thierry Henry.

Today Fernandez is not going to sell as many Seattle shirts as Henry will in New York, but I hope that’s not how the league defines success.

He’s clearly a very skillful player. He was part of a Uruguay side that played some attractive football and made the semifinals of the World Cup. He is only 24 and has shown the ability to be successful at the top level, his signing has a massive upside, is only going to develop and get better over the next couple of years.

To be realistic the MLS is not a league that talented players around the world aspire too. The complex contract structure, single entity ownership, salary cap and relative popularity in a packed sports market place ensure that the MLS is never going to be“destination league” for the world’s best players.

However there are still a couple of roles it could take going forward, namely either a place to send promising players for a few seasons and see what they have, or a retirement home for big names. Given the choice I’d far rather the MLS be seen as a top level development league and finishing school for players like Montero (who is a potential superstar) and Fernandez.

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

Colorado Sunday, Metapan tomorrow…

Written on July 27, 2010 by Dave in Football

Seattle had what was best called a functional performance in the 2-1 win over Western conference side Colorado. This continued the run of good results over the last couple of weeks and is threatening to turn into an actual run up the table. Seven points from the last 9 on offer, and a semi-final place in the Open cup and there are reasons for this emerging confidence from what’s been a poor year up to now.

New signing Blaise Nkufo warming up

Seattle played a solid game on Sunday against Colorado. The defence was faced with a very physical attack led by Conner Casey, Pat Iaani and Jeff Parke responded in kind and with the exception of the goal did a good job at the back.

The Colorado was well taken; Casey sent Parke the wrong way and finished with a shot that gave Keller no chance. During the second half Seattle soaked up a lot of pressure and a couple of great saves from Keller preserved the win for Seattle. This was another step in the correct direction, Seattle has been in this position before, defending a late lead, and given the game away in the last few minutes of the game.

Another big night under the lights

It’s difficult to say Seattle is a better team with out Ljungberg in the line up, especially on the form he showed last season, but they seem somehow to be a more complete team.

There are a few positive signs and the team seems to be heading into the correct direction.

Sounders 2, Rapids 1

Wednesday night and it’s time for the first CONCACAF Champions League game. The sounders have been pushing the Wednesday night game with the slogan “There are times for friendlies, this is not one of them”. Most football fans know of the European Champions League, the best clubs in Europe battle it out for glory (a considerable pot of money) and a place in the World Club Championship.

This is north and Central America’s version, the winner goes to the World Club Championship for a go at the ultimate club title.

Seattle plays it’s first leg against Metapan, the El Salvadorian champions, the winner of this tie goes into the group stage for another 6 games against Central American sides.

It will be a chance to have a look at a different style of football, in places like El Salvador the passion for the game runs deep, but the money to develop and compete is scarce.

Metapan are no easy win, especially as Seattle has to travel to El Salvador next week for the second leg of the tie. They have won the local league four times in the last 7 years, have a number of players with international experience in the squad and have played on this stage before.

Last year they made it to the group stages of the champion’s league and posted a win over Houston during the competition. I don’t think this is a team the Sounders can take lightly. The big player is midfielder Paolo Suarez. The name may be familiar as he’s the elder brother of Luis Suarez, who stopped a certain goal with his hand during the Uruguay – Ghana game at the World Cup Finals.

Ultimately I think Seattle should be able to use their speed, fitness (Metapan are about to start their season) and tactical discipline to move into the knock out stages where some big games await. This is when the real fun should begin.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

24 Hours in Sounderland

Written on July 4, 2010 by Dave in Football

I worked late yesterday, I was not having a great day and did not go into the office until after watching Spain beat Paraguay. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, I was working deep into the evening and I wanted to do something fun for July-4.

I had a couple of offers for BBQ’s in Seattle today. Nothing says July in Seattle like a BBQ in the rain. As tempting as that was, I decided I needed sun and found the perfect excuse.

Sounders are playing in LA, it’s going to be sunny and 25 degrees warmer than Seattle. Late last night I made an impulse decision, traded in a wedge of Delta skymiles for an early morning flight, brought a match ticket and will be joining the other Sounders fans BBQing in the Home Depot Centre car park.

Sounders media guy Matt Gaschk

This was my first proper tail gate party and glad I took the chance to have some fun in LA on July 4^th. They never had those before an Aldershot or Coventry City game.

I was surprised to see 7 or 8 other sounders jerseys on the flight this morning, I figured most people would have made a weekend of it and already been there.

Left on time, and as a bonus even got an exit row. Arrived at LAX a little ahead of schedule. I get they are trying to do something with the place and that it was largely built in the 70’s, but can anyone think of a place that looks more like a 70’s dystopian science fiction film set than the bowels of LAX?

It’s full of tiles featureless walls, unnecessary escalators and long blank corridors. Add a few flex ducts and find the torture chamber you know they have hidden somewhere and you are living in Terry Gillians movie Brazil.

The pre-game party was fun, there was about 120 Seattle fans (and one lonely LA supporter, dragged there by his girlfriend) in the car park drinking beer and eating BBQ. It was a lot of fun, this would not be allowed in Seattle in the same way.

ECS Capo leading the chants, he does not get to see much of the game

To the game… A 3-1 Seattle loss, not many positives as Seattle were clearly outplayed. Montero looked frustrated, Ljungberg was ineffective and despite scoring the only Seattle goal Zakuani seemed unable to time his runs and not for the first game this year did not look sharp. There was a decent amount of Seattle possession in and around the LA box, but no one seems to be willing to take the shot.

Lots of little balls between players, but ultimately someone has to stand up and take responsibility to turn the half chance into a goal rather than loose possession. It’s just so frustrating to watch. Especially during the first half the movement from midfield forward looked slow and uninspired. Unfortunately that’s the role usually played by Alonso or occasionally Evans, who are both injured. Pete Vagenas tried today, but his distribution and creativity was not good enough against a quick, pressing midfield like LA.

Landycakes first game back after the World Cup

Sigi has some young players with a little creativity and imagination on the bench; it maybe time to start some of them rather than waiting until 75 minutes into the game.

To be clear LA are a good side, they’ve scored 7 goals against Seattle in two games. The home team played some very simple but effective football, lots of short passing and actually able to hit the runners with the ball. LA plays an attractive passing game and seems very well drilled in what’s expected.

The second LA goal was as good a strike as I’ve seen in this league. 30+ yards out and Brazilian midfielder Juninho struck the ball sweetly, there was nothing Keller could have done about that one.

Away section at Home Depot Center

There were just over 300 seats in the away fans section and they sold out. There were a smattering of rave green jerseys elsewhere in the ground. I was in the 5^th or 6^th row of the Sounders section with the hardcore ECS chanting group. A lot of fun was had, bouncing around, singing and yelling for the entire 90 minutes. My first away game, my throat is shot, however it’s not going to be my last away trip.

Nate Jaqua acknowledges the traveling supporters

Seattle hosts LA on Wednesday at Starfire in the Open Cup quarter final, if Seattle plays like this then the holders will not make it to the semi-finals.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Sounders 2 – DCU 3, normal (and frustrating) service is resumed

Written on June 10, 2010 by Dave in Football

Another big night at Quest field. Once again not the result I had hoped for, coming away with a 3-2 loss.

Pre-game entertainment this time included the worlds biggest grill! Its not going to fit on my deck, or even the driveway.

The BIG grill

Onto the game… DC have the worst record in the league, but after a horrendous start have picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points coming into the game tonight and were on something of a hot streak. Seattle was also looking good and had a lot of momentum after dominating New England Saturday. It looked like a good match up, and other than the score line it was an entertaining game to watch.

The ECS unveiled a huge and very impressive banner of Keller holding up the US Open cup prior to the game. This was the trophy Seattle won last year by beating DC United at RFK. Best titfo so far this year, nice job by the Emerald City Supporters.

Nothing like a big game under the lights

The game started out at quite the pace, both teams came out to play good football, the ref was quick to throw a couple of yellow cards and did a good job at keeping control. Seattle certainly had the best of the first half hour, they had long periods in control when they played some very entertaining passing football.A couple of shots on goal, one header from Noonan that went very close, but few other really good chances continue the theme we’ve seen a lot this year.

Unfortunately and not for the first time this year the opponents first goal came against the run of play. I was in the bathroom and missed it, but the noise left no doubt about what had happened.

A few minutes later the second DC goal came via an uncharacteristic fumble by Keller shortly before half time.

Even though they went in at half times 2-0 down, it felt like they had the best of the first half and there seemed to be some optimism for pulling it out in the second half.

This was extinguished when Chris Pontius completed his hat trick with a very pretty lofted header to the far post with about 15 minutes left to play.

Seattle Sounders 2 - DC United 3

Seattle made it exciting by scoring twice in injury time, James Riley got a lucky deflection that gave DCU keeper Troy Perkins no chance. A minute later Fredy Montero added a second. Seattle had one more chance but it was not enough to pull out the win. Troy Perkins had a good game, he made a couple of good saves to keep Seattle scoreless until late in the game.

Seattle had plenty of play and lots of chances, but once again was struggling to actually get shots on goal. The passing was typically good, but following the usual story broke down in the last quarter of the field.

There were exceptions, Ljungberg especially seemed to relish having the ball at his feet and had one of his best individual games. He got into it somewhat with the ref during the second half and collected another booking, but I find it difficult to find fault with his play. Most of the good chances came through him at some point in their build up.

Ljungberg having a slight difference of opinion with the Ref

Seattle is off for a couple of weeks now and hopefully once we get back from the World Cup break Nate Jaqua and Osvaldo Alonso will hopefully be back from injury. The addition of Swiss forward Blaise Nkufo sometime after the Swiss are eliminated from the World Cup could be huge.

The other thing to remember is the interest in Montero and Ljungberg shown by European clubs during the last transfer window. The next chance for European clubs to sign players starts in early July. CSKA Moscow were supposed to be interested in Montero, I’ll be interested to see if he’s in green for Seattle’s next home game on July 11^th.

3 Comments - Leave a comment!

Freddie Ljungberg Interview

Written on June 8, 2010 by Dave in Football

While the Daily Mail is not my first choice of paper in the morning they did run a nice interview with Freddie Ljungberg today.

There is the mandatory underwear shot, but he also talks about living in Seattle, the team, his role and hints at what’s next. Freddie feels there are another couple of years of football in him, but I get the feeling that his future may involve a return to Europe at the end of the year.

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

That’s more like it – Sounders 3, NE 0

Written on June 6, 2010 by Dave in Football

There has been something of a shadow over the sounders, before the year started they were tipped by many to win the West and perhaps everything. It’s clear they have not played up to potential so far and good performances have been thin on the ground. Having said that the first half of the year has not been the total disaster and the sky is not falling.

My prematch warmup routine

Last night they produced by far and away the best performance of he year so far. Solid everywhere on the pitch. The passing was accurate, the recycling of the ball forward very good as was the use of space. Ljungberg had his best game of the year, and I don’t think that was a coincidence.

No place like it in the MLS, attendence was 36,244

Leo Gonzales opened the scoring with a very impressive volley from the edge of the box. Gonzales passed the ball to Zakuani, who could not control it. The ball took a kind bounce back into the path of Gonzales who curled it past the keeper in great style

Seattle’s speed and a good short passing game made life difficult for New England. It was also the debut of the New England keeper Bobby Shuttleworth. He had a pretty good game and there was little he could have done about the three goals. He made hard work of a couple of straightforward back passes, but ultimately it was missed assignments and some questionable decisions from his defenders that led to the goals.

Bobby Shuttleworth had a long night in goal

The second goal was another stunner, New England seemed asleep on a long throw in that Evans got to Zakuani who hit it first time from 15 yards out gave the keeper no chance. Another beautifully taken goal in what was a great team performance.

Noonan had a great chance and generally looked very dangerous in the box, did a lot of work for himself and set up the third goal, another good strike this time from Montero.

3-0 up at half time has not been safe in the past, but the second half was full of positive football for Seattle. By the end of the game they out shot NE 19-2, not total domination, but the little things the make a difference, precise passes, runs off the ball and so on are starting to come good. It was fun football to watch, very exciting and very much a team effort.

A good night for football

To put that in perspective, over the last six regular season games the sounders have scored 3 goals and conceded 9. More importantly had taken only four points out of a possible 18.

Thursday they host everyone’s favourite whipping boys DC United, three points there and they are back in the thick of the playoff hunt.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

The front office got it right

Written on November 17, 2009 by Dave in Football

As a sports fan in Seattle 2008 was pretty bad. Sonics left to become the Thunder (and they still suck), the Mariners were unbelievably bad, the Seahawks were rough and the Huskies did not win a game.

As someone who used to go to most of Coventry Cities home games before moving to Seattle, I understand disappointment and suffering is a fundamental part of the fan experience. I used to think not flirting with relegation in the last couple of weeks of the season was a good year.

That expectation was reset on opening night. When I brought season tickets I never imagined anything like that happening, the atmosphere was incredible and 32,000 people made it a night to remember. So much fun, it started with the march to the match and just kept going for the next three and a bit hours. The first goal followed by the second and third, Sigi paying tribute to the USL Sounders by sending Roger Levesque on as a late sub so the faithful could show their appreciation. I’ve been to a lot of games and that night is pretty close to the top of the list.

Barcelona and Chelsea visited mid season and showed two packed houses how the game can be played. Barcelona especially were sublime, the way they controlled the pace of the game was beautiful to watch.

The MLS is a physical league and some Seattle players have been on the receiving end. The refereeing has not helped, lets just say the quality has been mixed. There are a couple of refs that have let games go and been consistent in their calling, but they are in the minority.

I love the game and at the beginning of the year I saw a team that would be fun to watch, had a lot of firepower in Montero and Ljungberg, but big holes in defence. I did not see many 0-0 games on the cards. I was partially right, the team played some very entertaining games, but the defence led by Keller and JKH was tighter then I’d ever imagined. However up front it became a season of missed chances and a big swoon during the middle of the season where scoring seemed little more than a dream.

Next year we get to see CONCACAF Champions League, hopefully we get an away game somewhere south of the border with a beach, that would be a fun trip.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Ljungberg on the Houston Game

Written on November 10, 2009 by Dave in Football

Freddie on the Houston game.

Mandatory gratuitous Ljungberg ab shot for Heather…

Freddie-Ljungberg

1 Comment - Leave a comment!

Seattle 0 – Houston 0

Written on October 30, 2009 by Dave in Football

Nil-nil in a very tense game. It was interesting to see two sides so determined not to give anything away. The pace was frantic at time and a lot of players looked nervous.

The crowd was awesome, a great atmosphere and today I can hardly speak I’m so hoarse. It was a fantastic night and I’m slowly working my way through the beer list at Elysian Fields pregame.

Ljungberg had a great game and everything that went well ran through him. Unfortunately Montero looked a little out of sorts, the couple of chances that came to him he took very well, the best was in the second half when he made the best of a very good half chance off a precise through ball from Ljungberg. Alonso, Ianni and Jaqua all stepped up and had their best games for a while. Ianni had a great game and was effective at both ends of the pitch.

Once again there will be complaints about the officiating, with some justification. It was a very physical game and the man in the middle seemed to loose some control of the game mid way through the first half. He was inconsistent and that made it hard to have a flowing game. For example: the ref had been playing advantage and allowing the game to flow all night, untill Nate Jaqua was bearing down on goal after a great pass through the defence that was called back.

Having watched the replay it’s difficult to see how Onstad got off with just a yellow. It’s hard to see how that’s not a red, I assume Montero’s yellow was for simulation, but it seems disproportionate.

Houston played a very conservative game, happy to maintain possession and try to hit on the break. This will certainly change in Houston where the home team has a perceived advantage and they need to be more positive in looking for a result.

The Sounders have done well against this style of play (Columbus, DC, Galaxy and Toronto come to mind) and are very capable of taking the tie in Houston.

Now it’s all down to a one game playoff in Houston. The Sounders away form has been nothing short of superb during the second half of the season. After yesterdays game where neither side was able to really control the game shows the predictions of this series being to close to call were correct. It’s just going to take a single mistake to decide who is going through to the semi final.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Columbus 0 – Seattle 1

Written on October 4, 2009 by Dave in Football

In football there is an oft repeated saying that luck evens itself out over the course of a season. There will be points dropped that shouldn’t have been, and points won that were not deserved.

The sounders have had their fair share of bad calls that have cost them points (LA, Chivas and maybe RSL), last night went a long way to balancing out the ledger.

Last night falls squarely into the lucky column, and it was a good night for it happen as games don’t get much bigger than this.

Going into the weekend the play off picture was incredibly tight, 6 or 7 teams chasing the last 4 play off spots. Seattle have had trouble scoring, were travelling cross country to play the defending champions, who happen to have a 22 game unbeaten home streak and Sigi managed them to that championship.

Seattle did not play their best, but winning when you are not playing well is one of the ways to tell a good side from the rest.

Seattle’s defence was solid with a few mistakes (Marshall penalty excepted). The back four were under the gun all night, Keller pulled off a couple of great saves, Schelotto missed a penalty, the woodwork got rattled a couple of times and Marshall acrobatically cleared a shot off the line.

Seattle had few clear chances. The goal was made by Ljundberg battling through two defenders, gave the ball to Evans. Who set up Montero with a very nice through ball. The keeper came off is line to play the angle on Montero and was totally out of position when the ball came to Levesque to put away.

It was a nicely worked goal, and very much against the run of play.

With the other results this week the 41 points they have are probably enough to ensure the play offs. DC, Dallas, RSL and Toronto have to win all their remaining games to push the Sounders out the top 8. One more point is enough to make it mathematically certain that we will see playoff football at Quest Field this year and the Dallas game will be an awesome celebration.

In March the ECS said “Tonight our history becomes legend”, last nights 1-0 win over the defending champions is going to be a large part of the story.

Tonight our history becomes legend – ECS

0 Comments - Leave a comment!