Adam Johansson Officially Signs With Seattle Sounders
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 29, 2011 11:21 AM PST
in Sounders: News
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A couple days after seemingly every news outlet in Sweden announced the signing, the Seattle Sounders made it official: Adam Johansson has joined the team on a multi-year deal. Johansson has played most of his professional career with Swedish power IFK Goteburg and has seen semi-regular time with the Swedish national team since making his international debut in 2009 against the United States and playing in three World Cup qualifiers that year. He most recently appeared with the team in February in a friendly against Cyprus.
"Adam has been a mainstay at Göteborg for years and we are very happy to add him to our defense," Sounders technical director Chris Henderson said in a team release. "His leadership and experience are going to be a great compliment to the growth of our team.
"Adam is very good tactically and is smart in the way he joins the attack from the back. We are pleased he is also in the running for the starting right back role for Sweden as they prepare for the Euros."
From the sound of it, Johansson will be presumed starter at right back and could very well be an upgrade over James Riley. Johansson was reportedly weighing offers from elsewhere in Europe, but was won over by the Sounders during a recent visit. Former Sounders midfielder Erik Friberg apparently had nothing but good things to say about the Sounders to Johansson, who also spoke with New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe about the league.
"I had a great stay in Seattle while meeting with officials from the club, and seeing the stadium and training ground," Johansson said in the release. "I got a really good feeling. It will be a new start for me, a new life. It's going to be a good adventure."
If there is any concern about Johansson it is his health. A somewhat serious knee injury in 2009 derailed his promising international career and he has not been able to crack Sweden's first team since then. He has also battled injuries more recently, but is apparently healthy now.
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Incorrect Info Re. Last Int'l Appearance...
Per the Sounders PR, Johansson last appeared for Sweden against Cyprus in February of this year. And, they mention he is competing for the RB spot for Sweden’s Euros. So it would appear he’s not yet finished on the international scene. Would be great to have the Swedish starting RB on our squad. And given that is possible, I see now way Adam is not a significant upgrade over Riley. So far, so good FO…now fill the gap in CM.
what's incorrect about what I said?
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 29, 2011 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
I said he's been a semi-regular...
I didn’t say he was no longer in the national team picture. that said, I added the appearance against cyprus for clarification.
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by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 29, 2011 11:53 AM PST up reply actions
There are two national teams for Sweden
1) The one that plays qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championship
2) The one that gathers each winter to play a few matches
The first one consists mainly of player who play outside of Sweden. There are often a few players from the Swedish league, but 5 would be an exceptionally high number. In their latest matches there were two (Anders Svensson and Tobias Hysen). The second one consists exclusively of players who play in Sweden.
Johansson made the first team in 2009. Then he got injured and has not been back since. However, he made the second team a year ago in the winter of 2011 and will be back again in the winter of 2012 (before coming to Seattle).
His ambition is to make it back to the first team, but right now that seems unlikely because he has not been selected for any of their EURO 2012 qualifier matches in 2011 or for the friendlies that have been played later in 2011.
Kind of similar to the USA
The A team (World Cup, early Gold Cup) is mainly based in Europe
The B team (latter Gold Cup, winter trainings) is mainly based in the US
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good signing
this is what I read on goal.com by sigi
There are a lot of high-profile names that are being mentioned as possibilities in MLS, is there a chance that Seattle could end signing an international star as a Designated Player?
Right now, Mauro’s new contract throws him into the DP slot I believe. With [Fredy]Montero and [Alvaro] Fernandez, we’d have to eliminate one. We’re pretty content with those three guys.
by alexyepz on Dec 29, 2011 11:48 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Mauto and the 3rd DP
Mauro’s contract can qualify as a DP contract but it is also low enough that the Sounders can use Allocation Money to buy it down below the DP threshold if they find another DP caliber player. They could also unload some of their draft picks for more AM. Right now they are keeping their options open.
The FO has positioned the roster well going into the combines, draft and International transfer window. The team basically has a complete roster without glaring holes. Compare this to a team like one of the Texas teams that only has 19 players on its roster. The Sounders have the luxury of being picky and looking for one big move or taking a flyer on a prospect.
by Abbott Smith on Dec 29, 2011 12:07 PM PST up reply actions
Adam, welcome to Seattle!
And welcome to the Sounders. I’m a little biased, but hold on – you’ve just signed on to be part of something very special. Bring it! We’re very much looking forward to your arrival. 2012 is going to be all kinds of adventure!
I still can't wrap my mind around that photo
Kenny Cooper standing upright? It’s mind bottling. Welcome to Seattle, Adam! I’m sure Erik has already filled you in on the taco situation.
Go banana!
by Disco_Stew on Dec 29, 2011 11:53 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
I think his feet are about to go out from under him
he can’t make that turn
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by Dave Clark on Dec 29, 2011 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh crud. Gotta get the ball back...
… or the Coach is going to kill me. How could I lose the ball like that?
by Abbott Smith on Dec 29, 2011 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
His left hand is bracing for the inevitable fall
However this is the best stock photo for a new arrival you’ve ever posted.
Go banana!
I saw a picture of Sivebaek earlier that showed him trying to eat his jersey walking off the pitch.
Was pretty funny to see. Not “beating Kenny Cooper” funny, but good on it’s own.
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Good find for the photo.
It really does look like it could be photoshopped. So maybe someone turned Cooper up digitally 90 degrees?
Sigh. If only I was any position to be defensive about Cooper.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Dec 29, 2011 6:19 PM PST up reply actions
Perhaps your new guy could bring a Baby Bjorn with him
and our new DP can cut his teeth carrying Cooper and thereby keeping him off the ground.
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Dec 29, 2011 6:21 PM PST up reply actions
About his knee injury 2009
It was a cruciate ligament tear. Afterwards he had often problems with short-term injuries, so he never had been as good as he was before his knee injury.
http://www.soundersfc.de.to/ First German Fanpage!
Full healing on lateral movement for ACLs can be 12-18 months of recovery
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That strikes me
As somewhat misleading (though admittedly I’m not clear my reading is what you intended to say?) The corollary that weakened performance since suffering the CL tear can be attributed to the tear is speculative unless there’s corroborative evidence, especially given he’s had to contend with other injuries since his return – which is also not entirely unexpected after an extended enforced layoff. It’s only fair to take a “wait and see” approach to this sort of thing; it’s not like he’s the only Sounders players to do his knee in, and Hurtado last year had a fair few minutes under his belt before he was back to full fitness. It doesn’t sound like Johansson was getting those minutes at IFK.
I expressed myself wrong
Wanted to say, that the “somewhat serious knee injury” was a cruciate ligament tear. Nothing more… just additional information.
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by Paddi on Dec 29, 2011 12:59 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Solid signing
And most importantly, this means that the Sounders have made the two signings that were absolutely mandatory. The other one of course is the goal keeper signing.
We could start the season with this roster without problems. But apparently there are more improvements to come.
Left Back
There has been a lot of rumors of RB’s joining the Sounders, but not to much when it comes to LB’s, and we have not heard much of Ever Alvarado as of late, so do you think there is a chance, that their are plans for Leo to go back to starting LB?
The plans...
i’m fairly certain is to have Leo and Marc Burch duel it out with Tetteh getting some limited time there. I’m not sure that’s a huge need at this point.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Dec 30, 2011 8:19 AM PST up reply actions
Let's remember Leo and Wahl evenly split LB starts
Neither was the starter. Both started.
Alvarado, though quite exciting, isn’t a starter in Honduras. I’d be stunned if he gets added as a starter. Though he would likely shift Tetteh to a Left Mid future.
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