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MLS 2009 Team Preview: Seattle Sounders
The top league in the United States is about to kick off another season and Goal.com is rolling out informative previews on every team to get fans both old and new caught up on their favorite teams.
Feb 23, 2009 2:39:52 AM
By John
Zielonka
After receiving a Major League Soccer franchise less than two years ago, the Seattle Sounders are already an off-the-field success. Their accomplishments include hiring the 2008 MLS Cup winning head coach, signing two well -known European veterans, inheriting the USL Sounders’ former head coach and his best players, assembling an ownership group that includes a high profile movie mogul and comedian/game show host, gaining access to the Seattle Seahawks' state-of-the art training facility and stadium, and building the largest season ticket base in MLS.
With a solid foundation in place, the Sounders need to translate this into a winning combination on the pitch. In their first five preseason games, the Sounders have four wins and one loss. The team can score goals, but a leaky defense is worrisome to head coach Sigi Schmid.
The Sounders will be tested in their upcoming four matches in Argentina. Schmid wants the team to focus on their defensive elements. He plans to use the games to determine how his team stacks up against Argentinean sides in mid-season form. The Sounders depart on February 24 and return to Seattle on March 6.
Given the lack of recent success by previous MLS expansion teams, the Sounders and their owners are determined to ensure the team makes the playoffs in their first season.
Recent history: The MLS Sounders have been a team in the making for several years. Local fans selected the name Seattle Sounders FC in an on-line vote. The Sounders’ name has been part of Seattle soccer since the old NASL era and, until last year, was used by the First Division USL team.
Below is a timeline of noteworthy Sounder events leading up to the nationally televised March 19 home season opener against the New York Red Bulls.
November 13, 2007: MLS Commissioner Garber holds a formal press conference with key Sounders executives to announce the team
April 7, 2008: Team launches a public vote to name the team Seattle Sounders FC, identify colors and badge on uniforms
May 7, 2008: Sounders FC sign their first player; USL Sounders forward Sebastien Le Toux
May 28, 2008: Sounders FC announces Microsoft Xbox 360 as presenting partner
August 14, 2008: Kasey Keller, former U.S. international goalkeeper and European veteran, signs with Sounders FC
October 28, 2008: After ten years in the English Premier League, Swedish player Freddie Ljungberg joins the Sounders as their Designated Player
November 26, 2008: Ten players selected in the MLS Expansion Draft December 2, 2008: ESPN announces that Sounders FC will open thei 2009 season against New York Red Bulls on Thursday, March 19
December 16, 2008: Two-time MLS Coach of the Year Sigi Schmid signs to become first Sounders FC coach after leading Columbus to both the 2008 Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup title
January 15, 2009: Sounders FC select four players in the MLS SuperDraft, including 1st overall pick and Soccer America Player of the Year Steve Zakuani
February 22, 2009: 20,000+ season tickets sold
New faces: Since this is the team's first year, the entire player roster is new and needs to be whittled down to 24 players in the next three weeks. International veterans Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljunberg will provide experience and leadership to a team that includes a mixture of MLS veterans, former USL Sounders, a cast of domestic and international unknowns.
The MLS Sounders were also able to incorporate a cohesive group from last year’s USL Sounders into the team. They include Brian Schmetzer, the former head coach and current assistant to Sigi Schmid, goalie Chris Eylander, midfielder Sebastian LeToux, forward Roger Levesque, defenders Taylor Graham and Zach Scott.
Projected starters: Kasey Keller (GK) – The veteran keeper will attempt to solidify the backline
Taylor Graham (D) – MLS and USL veteran could make a difference as a center back
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (D) – Newly signed 2008 teammate of forward Fredy Montero at Depotivo Cali with good speed and tackling ability
Tyrone Marshall (D) – Experienced former Toronto FC defender who should solidify a new defense corps
James Riley (D) – Acquired in the expansion draft from the San Jose Earthquakes
Nathan Sturgis (D/M) – Under 20 Fifa World Cup player that can play in the midfield or in the back
Sebastien Le Toux (F/M) – Scored 24 goals in 54 USL appearances Freddie Ljunberg (M) – Doubtful he’ll be in the lineup on opening night, but could be a game changer if he returns healthy
Sanna Nyassi (M) – Impressive quickness and making a push to start
Peter Vagenas (M) – A Sigi Schmid favorite from his days in UCLA and L.A. Galaxy, currently out with a knee injury
Nate Jaqua (F): U.S. National Team member acquired in the expansion draft from the Houston Dynamo
Fredy Montero (F) – Columbian national who has emerged as the team’s top scoring threat
Best of the rest:
Keepers: Ben Dravagon and Chris Eylander
Defenders: Mandou Bojang, Evan Brown, Ryan Caugherty, and Patrick Ianni
Midfielders: Osvaldo Alsonso, Brad Evans, and Stephen King
Forwards: Jeff Clark, Emerald George, Lamar Neagle, Vini Oliveira, and Steve Zakuani
Season storylines: The preseason games are an indication that this team can score in bunches. On the other hand, the defense has been spotty and given up too many goals. Coach Schmid said the team would put a larger focus on tightening up defensively when they head over to Argentina.
With a core group of ex-USL Sounders players (Eylander , Le Toux, Le Vesque and Scott ) and their former head coach (Schmetzer), the team has a cohesive unit that is unusual for a first year squad. It could be one of those intangibles that accelerates the road to the playoffs.
Despite the presence of Kasey Keller in the nets, he will need all of his experience to solidify a new set of defenders in front of him. The issue won’t be scoring goals, but how to stop the opposition from scoring too many. Fans may be in for a slate of 4-3 or 3-2 games. Their knack for goalscoring does indicate that the Sounders will be a fun and entertaining team to watch.
Predicted placement: Sounder supporters should expect high scoring games early in the season. If Seattle’s defense improves as the season progresses, the team could make the playoffs - barely.
Did you know? Sebastien Le Toux, a native-born Frenchman, considers the U.S. his adopted home and would like to play for the U.S. National Team.
John Zielonka is the Seattle correspondent for Goal.com
After receiving a Major League Soccer franchise less than two years ago, the Seattle Sounders are already an off-the-field success. Their accomplishments include hiring the 2008 MLS Cup winning head coach, signing two well -known European veterans, inheriting the USL Sounders’ former head coach and his best players, assembling an ownership group that includes a high profile movie mogul and comedian/game show host, gaining access to the Seattle Seahawks' state-of-the art training facility and stadium, and building the largest season ticket base in MLS.
With a solid foundation in place, the Sounders need to translate this into a winning combination on the pitch. In their first five preseason games, the Sounders have four wins and one loss. The team can score goals, but a leaky defense is worrisome to head coach Sigi Schmid.
The Sounders will be tested in their upcoming four matches in Argentina. Schmid wants the team to focus on their defensive elements. He plans to use the games to determine how his team stacks up against Argentinean sides in mid-season form. The Sounders depart on February 24 and return to Seattle on March 6.
Given the lack of recent success by previous MLS expansion teams, the Sounders and their owners are determined to ensure the team makes the playoffs in their first season.
Recent history: The MLS Sounders have been a team in the making for several years. Local fans selected the name Seattle Sounders FC in an on-line vote. The Sounders’ name has been part of Seattle soccer since the old NASL era and, until last year, was used by the First Division USL team.
Below is a timeline of noteworthy Sounder events leading up to the nationally televised March 19 home season opener against the New York Red Bulls.
November 13, 2007: MLS Commissioner Garber holds a formal press conference with key Sounders executives to announce the team
April 7, 2008: Team launches a public vote to name the team Seattle Sounders FC, identify colors and badge on uniforms
May 7, 2008: Sounders FC sign their first player; USL Sounders forward Sebastien Le Toux
May 28, 2008: Sounders FC announces Microsoft Xbox 360 as presenting partner
August 14, 2008: Kasey Keller, former U.S. international goalkeeper and European veteran, signs with Sounders FC
October 28, 2008: After ten years in the English Premier League, Swedish player Freddie Ljungberg joins the Sounders as their Designated Player
November 26, 2008: Ten players selected in the MLS Expansion Draft December 2, 2008: ESPN announces that Sounders FC will open thei 2009 season against New York Red Bulls on Thursday, March 19
December 16, 2008: Two-time MLS Coach of the Year Sigi Schmid signs to become first Sounders FC coach after leading Columbus to both the 2008 Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup title
January 15, 2009: Sounders FC select four players in the MLS SuperDraft, including 1st overall pick and Soccer America Player of the Year Steve Zakuani
February 22, 2009: 20,000+ season tickets sold
New faces: Since this is the team's first year, the entire player roster is new and needs to be whittled down to 24 players in the next three weeks. International veterans Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljunberg will provide experience and leadership to a team that includes a mixture of MLS veterans, former USL Sounders, a cast of domestic and international unknowns.
The MLS Sounders were also able to incorporate a cohesive group from last year’s USL Sounders into the team. They include Brian Schmetzer, the former head coach and current assistant to Sigi Schmid, goalie Chris Eylander, midfielder Sebastian LeToux, forward Roger Levesque, defenders Taylor Graham and Zach Scott.
Projected starters: Kasey Keller (GK) – The veteran keeper will attempt to solidify the backline
Taylor Graham (D) – MLS and USL veteran could make a difference as a center back
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (D) – Newly signed 2008 teammate of forward Fredy Montero at Depotivo Cali with good speed and tackling ability
Tyrone Marshall (D) – Experienced former Toronto FC defender who should solidify a new defense corps
James Riley (D) – Acquired in the expansion draft from the San Jose Earthquakes
Nathan Sturgis (D/M) – Under 20 Fifa World Cup player that can play in the midfield or in the back
Sebastien Le Toux (F/M) – Scored 24 goals in 54 USL appearances Freddie Ljunberg (M) – Doubtful he’ll be in the lineup on opening night, but could be a game changer if he returns healthy
Sanna Nyassi (M) – Impressive quickness and making a push to start
Peter Vagenas (M) – A Sigi Schmid favorite from his days in UCLA and L.A. Galaxy, currently out with a knee injury
Nate Jaqua (F): U.S. National Team member acquired in the expansion draft from the Houston Dynamo
Fredy Montero (F) – Columbian national who has emerged as the team’s top scoring threat
Best of the rest:
Keepers: Ben Dravagon and Chris Eylander
Defenders: Mandou Bojang, Evan Brown, Ryan Caugherty, and Patrick Ianni
Midfielders: Osvaldo Alsonso, Brad Evans, and Stephen King
Forwards: Jeff Clark, Emerald George, Lamar Neagle, Vini Oliveira, and Steve Zakuani
Season storylines: The preseason games are an indication that this team can score in bunches. On the other hand, the defense has been spotty and given up too many goals. Coach Schmid said the team would put a larger focus on tightening up defensively when they head over to Argentina.
With a core group of ex-USL Sounders players (Eylander , Le Toux, Le Vesque and Scott ) and their former head coach (Schmetzer), the team has a cohesive unit that is unusual for a first year squad. It could be one of those intangibles that accelerates the road to the playoffs.
Despite the presence of Kasey Keller in the nets, he will need all of his experience to solidify a new set of defenders in front of him. The issue won’t be scoring goals, but how to stop the opposition from scoring too many. Fans may be in for a slate of 4-3 or 3-2 games. Their knack for goalscoring does indicate that the Sounders will be a fun and entertaining team to watch.
Predicted placement: Sounder supporters should expect high scoring games early in the season. If Seattle’s defense improves as the season progresses, the team could make the playoffs - barely.
Did you know? Sebastien Le Toux, a native-born Frenchman, considers the U.S. his adopted home and would like to play for the U.S. National Team.
John Zielonka is the Seattle correspondent for Goal.com
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