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Despite Distractions, Sounders Go For Four In A Row
Head coach Sigi Schmid discussed Fredy Montero’s return,Freddie Ljungberg’s knee injury and the upcoming match against the Kansas City Wizards
Apr 8, 2009 5:50:59 PM
By John Zielonka
After winning their first road game 2-0 against Toronto FC in a hostile and frigid environment last Saturday, the Sounders returned to practice to prepare for their home game against the Kansas City Wizards.
Colombian Fredy Montero, the team's leading goalscorer, missed the road trip to Toronto with a case of the flu. He appeared drawn and fatigued when he stepped on the practice pitch with the other Sounders on Tuesday morning.
Sigi Schmid was cautious in making a prediction for Montero to play on Saturday. “We’ll see how he comes through training. If he’s healthy, I expect him to start.”
“Fredy Montero was feeling better today,” Schmid continued. ‘He’s still a little bit under the weather. In the scrimmage you could tell he was getting a little bit tired.”
Montero has also been distracted by sexual assault allegations made last week by a suburban Seattle woman.
Schmid emphasized the need for the entire team to maintain their focus.
“We’re in full support of Fredy, “Schmid said. “We’re going to going to let everything take its course.”
Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg tweaked his knee when he stepped awkwardly on the ball late in the Toronto match.
“The knee is still sore,” Ljungberg said. “The swelling is going down every day. I just did some running today. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow.”
Forward Nate Jaqua, who has a goal and an assist playing in three games, commented on the value of Ljungberg and Montero.
“Both of them are great players,” he said. “It’s easy to figure out what they’re doing and fit in with them.”
Schmid was glad the Wizards earned their first win last week. He views Kansas City as an up-and-coming team that’s more than capable of making the playoffs. He identified several players to keep an eye on during the match.
“They are a good team with speed,” he said. “Herculez Gomez on the right side is very fast and is an aggressive player. Josh Wolff just came back. With those two players, they have two very quick players on the flanks.”
Schmid likes the work ethic of midfielder Davy Arnaud in the middle of the pitch and the resurgence of midfielder/forward Claudio Lopez. On defense, he went on to praise veteran Jimmy Conrad and goaltender Kevin Hartman.
“They are a solid team,” Schmid concluded. “You have to take them seriously, and we do take them seriously.”
John Zielonka is the Goal.com correspondent in Seattle. He can be reached at zielojo@seattlesoccer.us.
After winning their first road game 2-0 against Toronto FC in a hostile and frigid environment last Saturday, the Sounders returned to practice to prepare for their home game against the Kansas City Wizards.
Colombian Fredy Montero, the team's leading goalscorer, missed the road trip to Toronto with a case of the flu. He appeared drawn and fatigued when he stepped on the practice pitch with the other Sounders on Tuesday morning.
Sigi Schmid was cautious in making a prediction for Montero to play on Saturday. “We’ll see how he comes through training. If he’s healthy, I expect him to start.”
“Fredy Montero was feeling better today,” Schmid continued. ‘He’s still a little bit under the weather. In the scrimmage you could tell he was getting a little bit tired.”
Montero has also been distracted by sexual assault allegations made last week by a suburban Seattle woman.
Schmid emphasized the need for the entire team to maintain their focus.
“We’re in full support of Fredy, “Schmid said. “We’re going to going to let everything take its course.”
Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg tweaked his knee when he stepped awkwardly on the ball late in the Toronto match.
“The knee is still sore,” Ljungberg said. “The swelling is going down every day. I just did some running today. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow.”
Forward Nate Jaqua, who has a goal and an assist playing in three games, commented on the value of Ljungberg and Montero.
“Both of them are great players,” he said. “It’s easy to figure out what they’re doing and fit in with them.”
Schmid was glad the Wizards earned their first win last week. He views Kansas City as an up-and-coming team that’s more than capable of making the playoffs. He identified several players to keep an eye on during the match.
“They are a good team with speed,” he said. “Herculez Gomez on the right side is very fast and is an aggressive player. Josh Wolff just came back. With those two players, they have two very quick players on the flanks.”
Schmid likes the work ethic of midfielder Davy Arnaud in the middle of the pitch and the resurgence of midfielder/forward Claudio Lopez. On defense, he went on to praise veteran Jimmy Conrad and goaltender Kevin Hartman.
“They are a solid team,” Schmid concluded. “You have to take them seriously, and we do take them seriously.”
John Zielonka is the Goal.com correspondent in Seattle. He can be reached at zielojo@seattlesoccer.us.
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