December Q&A

You can count on that.

Not sure how much the rumor has developed since the post. It’s also possible SSFC are only in the running until the Gspurning deal goes final.

More German-speaking presence. While we’re at it, why not get Podolski and Müller?

Maybe an Ianni-type.

So guys like Leo and Ianni may be of interest.

Oh yeah, there’s plenty of those. We’re supposedly scouting for guys in Honduras, there was that dude in Costa Rica… I’m not sure any of them are very credible in terms of there being an announcement soon, though.

but all of the players mentioned are midfielders, so those would seem to be for additions down the road

But I could see it in the summer window

With the whole “Cuba” thing and all…

and hope to learn more about Ngassa. Azam would want a transfer fee and I didn’t see anything that says that he’s a player worth any more or less than any other minimum salary guy.

BUT there’s also the aspect of opening that gate and what that could mean to future players from East Africa.

I would say yes, because they can get something FOR Frei as well.

I think O’Brian White might be the best ideal world fit. He has that combination of size and holding ability that neither Fucito nor Ochoa have really displayed. But I’m not sure he’ll ever be 100 percent.

I’m biased, but I think that Fucito showed well last year and deserves more time.

For instance, Fucito was more effective against RSL than Ochoa. There were other opponents against whom Ochoa’s style was more effective. I don’t think we have anyone that should obviously be starting every week alongside Montero, so I think a rotation of Fucito, Ochoa, and White can be pretty effective.

Evans at RB is definitely one option, as is putting Estrada there. I’d love to see Flaco in the middle. But these things have a way of working themselves out.

sure, that could mean twice.

Some will play at forward.

Evans, Estrada and Levesque I expect to get pre-season time at RB

But so many sounders have green cards that it’s really a non-issue at this point. Alvaro is even supposed to get one.

But I could see it happening. Oddly the Jabulani was used in MLS prior to the World Cup. No one hated it until after the World Cup.

Evans at right back seems likely to be tested again.

I think team will definitely look at Evans at RB, but I don’t see Zakuani being moved to forward. He just doesn’t really offer the kind of skills that I think are a plus there, since he plays almost entirely facing the goal. I haven’t seen lots of film of him at forward in college, but I’m sure he had lots of freedom to track back to receive the ball, and that’s very much NOT something the Sounders want whoever is paired with Montero to do.

He’d be extraordinarily expensive and Seattle probably needs two players on the backline.

And I think they are interested if the right model existed. They were definitely down on the WPS model and right now the Sounders Women are only loosely affiliated with Seattle Sounders FC. Hope that answers teh question.

Robbie Rogers maybe

My most irrational MLS hate is probably for John Spencer

and no one is interesting to me in Stage Two.

since he’s already back in the Midlands of England

with the Sounders current pick they probably can get a senior likely to get some time. I dream of Andrew Wenger who could be the next Geoff Cameron, but he’s top 3 for sure.

Do they pick 18th because they finished second in the SS? Or do they pick like 15th because of where they finished in the playoffs?

I want the TV and Radio split though. Seattle can then develop a unique voice on radio to climb into the TV booth someday.

And other teams could probably do it, but aren’t popular enough at this time to get huge payments for showing up.

“In its existence, MLS has never had a complete player at any of the outside back positions.”

It is very rare for a team to not use the full cap because the cap doesn’t cost a team any money.

Almost everyone outspent the salary cap

So yes

Some of my issues are related to data, not the tool

I’ll assume that Zakuani isn’t fit to start

Fucito-Montero
Alvaro-Friberg-Rosales
Alonso
Gonzalez-Parke-Hurtado-Evans
Meredith

You said right now…

who woulldn’t play as high as any current left mid.

But right now he does seem more likely to be MLS ready at LM

or nearly so. That just makes it easier.

5 – every other american league does it (except the NFL). So I just don’t care a lot. or maybe I’m just so bored with schedule talk that I don’t care right now.

so we just don’t where the hatrick will happen.

I’d put my money on DeAndre Yedlin. But really, I could see it being another year or two before we sign one. There’s absolutely no rush.

it will be done when they think the player will develop more by playing with them than with the college team.

I’ve a list – Okoli, Nick P, Yedlin, Peterson, Lange, Kovar

the league has someone in place there though.

Can’t wait to see when we play the all-important preseason friendly

MLS Cup
Supporters Shield (this is different from last two years)
US Open Cup

That winning CCL was most important. But realistically, I think this is where it stands now:

1. MLS Cup
2. CCL
3. Supporters Shield (the unbalanced schedule really dropped it for me)
4. Open Cup

But that’s a good question. I’m imagining they would be allowed to train with the team

They practice in spring and even have friendlies. UW is practicing even right now.

Many play for amatuer PDL teams in late spring and summer. I believe they are allowed to practice with the club, but not play.

Imagine he and Alonso in the middle

Feel like he’s a really quality LB that could do some great stuff for this team. But I guess Brek Shea isn’t a DP, is he? I’ll take Shea.

I’ll echo Sigi, though, and say getting more contribution from the fullbacks in the attack and build up. There was too much inclination on the FBs part to just clear the ball when things got dicey.

I only started talking to him last year

just prior to the blog launching

But there’s no reason that MLS can’t be as legit as any league outside the big 4. I really don’t want to see MLS get much bigger than 20 teams, but based on what’s out there, I feel like Charlotte, NC and Orland, Fla are the two most obvious places for MLS to go outside of NY2.

Is top 5 top? what about 10? 15? 20? Without a target it’s hard to say MLS can do it.

I want a 27 team league in 3 conferences. I like Orlando, Ottawa, Puerto Rico some midsouth cities and a team or two in Carolina with Vegas, Phoenix or San Diego getting a team. NY2 can join if they must.

Zakuani on the left wing, Alvaro in the middle and Rosales on the right

I’m with Dave, I think you need to figure out a way to get all three on the field and Flaco is the only one who seems capable of playing a CM in the fashion the Sounders want it played.

I’d like MLS Reserves to play in either D2 or D3. I’d like all teams at pro levels to be required to have USSDA teams. I’ll care about pro/rel when being in D2 isn’t a figurative death sentence.

Seems like a gross mistake, no matter how you look at it. Excusable at the time, maybe, but still a bad mistake.

That’s tough. It may be protecting Marshall rather than Le Toux. But I don’t think Le Toux would have played well here.

Moves I didn’t like. Putting Fucito on the injured list in late 09. Nkufo siging what became only a 6 month deal. 2nd and 3rd round draft in 2009. Not getting to Parke as early as they could.

The offense really didn’t have the problems that the backline did.

Not the “position of need” type

you’ll learn that the team made a sudden move to keep Montreal from picking Fucito. So they at least value him that much.

I don’t think fucito would be traded for frei

decent touch, better than average passing though mainly in a possession manner rather than attacking, he’s decent in the air as well, his on ball defense is probably slightly above average but not impressive.

If the cap room is where I think it is if Rosales isn’t a DP they’d only have room for a youth DP. I’d love to find like East African 19 year old Gareth Bale or something.

Right forum or not….this is information that needs to be shared

It would require Alonso to become more like a CM, which isn’t a bad thing, but it also loses the abilities of one of the following players – Evans, Friberg, Alvaro. Those are good players who need playing time.

Seattle doesn’t need a starter. This move only makes sense for a backup and including allocation or losing a few other players.

Such as: Will Roger/Estrada make the full time switch to RB? Will SSFC bring in players that make a specific player surplus? Will Zak be fully ready to go (particularly relevant for Neagle)? Injuries, of course, are always a factor.

In general, I think Roger’s minutes will go down, Neagle’s will stay about the same, Fucito’s will go down (with Ochoa having a full preseason), Estrada’s will go up (assuming he plays some outside back this year), and Carrasco’s will stay about the same.

Otherwise the fullback battle is between Zach Scott and whoever converts from the midfield. I’d prefer a U23 player at RB.

Because there is certainly room for a youth DP.

I’d love the idea.

While I have absolutely no doubt that Riley is an amazing human being, he was only a good defender. We were scored upon this year more then anyone except New York, and New York didn’t have Kasey Keller. While it’s certainly not all on Riley’s head, he had his fair share of mistakes.

Also, of course Arlo wanted to go. You think that if an EPL team came knocking for Riley or any other Sounder that they wouldn’t leave in a heartbeat? Arlo was offered arguably the best announcing gig for soccer in the United States.

I don’t know that we threw him under the bus at all. He was an awesome guy and an adequate player. I loved his motor, but he was neither a great defender, a great ball handler nor a great passer. I don’t think I ever called him any different. I’m sorry you disagree, but reasonable minds can certainly have different opinions on the relative importance of the loss of various people and players. As for the trade, I’ll just say it was more than a guess and leave it at that.

The rest are parttimers.

It used to be four. One retired and the other was booted for not being good enough

I expect to never hear about the Sounders wanting to raise costs and lower revenue.