Seattle Sounders Transfer Rumors And Transfer Window Open Thread
by Brian Floyd on Aug 14, 2011 8:58 AM PDT
in Sounders: MLS Regular Season
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PrintEdit: Bumped back to the top for your deadline needs.
It should probably be named a transfer window closing thread, but this will have to work. There's been a request for an open thread to throw all the stories, rumors, speculation, love, hate and everything else into this weekend, so this is what you get. The Seattle Sounders have a very short amount of time to make a deal before the transfer window closes, and with a calm settling over team headquarters, it's been very quiet -- at least when it comes to rumors.
So what's going on? Nobody has a clue. General manager Adrian Hanauer is reportedly exploring all options and working fast to try and make something happen, but does not want to add a player for the sake of adding a player. This, of course, has been the subject of much debate, which you can get caught up on here and here.
Feel free to add any rumors, reports or thoughts in the comments as the weekend progresses.
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on another note
This one came out of the blue, so here’s hoping the Sounders pull a rabbit out of their hat.
I think you mean
Robbie? Although deep down I would still like to be able to see Roy play again… :)
by Undertablefan on Aug 12, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Robbie
And that’s terrible news. Keane’s really past the point where he can get it done in the Premiership, but he will absolutely tear MLS defenses to shreds. I’ve seen an awful lot of Keano over the years (as a Spurs fan) and he’s perfect for this league, for two years for sure.
$9 mil for two years. Why aren’t WE getting guys like this?
Probably because
despite what we hope/wish/think, players of his caliber most often would rather play in NY or LA.
You will hear us on Brougham, you will hear us on Occidental, you will hear us on King. Our yachts are all around you, there is no escape.
Say what you want
but as of this second, there are 37 articles on the net regarding Robbie Keane to MLS. The fact that the MLS can command this coverage, or that we can be seriously in the Tagoe, Forlan, or Adebayor rumor mill shows you how far MLS has come. We (mls) are linked to potential trades from 5 continents. Gotta love it.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
always other factors...
in this case, his wife is a model and wants to live in LA for her career.
by exSlacker on Aug 13, 2011 6:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I would love to talk Sounders transfer rumors.
Has anyone heard any?
Unusually quiet on the SSFC front
But the league is on fire, with trades from SKC to NYRB, Adu to Philly, rumored Keane to LA, rumored Angel to Chivas, and more coming every minute. Its a tribute to MLS that we have such a silly season of our own
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions
It's really amazing how good a job they've done to keep everything quiet
No one’s sinking any ships around Seattle, I’ll tell you that.
SSFC | What I do for fun: Sometimes-Interesting
by ABTsportsline on Aug 12, 2011 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
ships or
yachts?
Sounders FC & Gunner's Supporter
by Zack Ryland on Aug 12, 2011 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
We need someone to sit at Seatac in a lawnchair
next to the international arrivals section. If they try to sign anyone internationally, they will almost certainly have to come here for a physical before signing the deal.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 3:41 PM PDT reply actions
My gut tells me....
no signings will happen this year. Not sure why, but it just does.
Two teams that are rumored to be interested in Angel
According to Goal.com : Two teams that are rumored to be interested in Angel are the Seattle Sounders and Philadelphia Union
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2011/08/12/2617411/report-robbie-keane-joining-the-los-angeles-galaxy
Angel would compliment our team immensely....
With Montero and him up front, we would have a very creative pair up top.
Totally agree.
DeRo was doing terribly at TFC this year and is doing quite well with DC now.
by eosrebel on Aug 12, 2011 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Angel was doing poorly
in NY and now LA, so it’s clearly been a trend.
He was doing pretty well in NY for most of his time there
It was only at the end he tailed off a bit.
Would I take Angel in our team for the rest of this season? Yeah, probably. He’s better than they guys we have. He’s a warm body with talent on the roster. Would he really help up get over the hump and win like lots of fans are screaming for? I highly doubt it. I don’t think he’s worth his price-tag anymore I hate to say.
We're much closer to the end than the beginning
The end is much more indicative of his ability at this point in his career. Playing on our crappy turf probably wouldn’t help much either. He’s also signed to a multi-year contract with LA. I’m not sure how DP contracts work with trades, so who knows.
by Randy Meeker on Aug 13, 2011 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions
No Good
I’d be very disappointed if this was the kind of move the Sounders would make. He had a dull last year in NY and an even worse year so far with LA.
by Joshua Tuscan on Aug 12, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
No way we take on his salary as is
But if LA was willing to pay enough of it down for us…
I’m all for it
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 12, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
The salary thing is one part of it
… but the league plays fast and loose with the rules often enough that I bet the Gals could swing something. I don’t blame LA for taking advantage of this, by the way.
A bigger issue for me is, why would any other MLS team want to help LA open up a DP slot?
by Kenneth Jung on Aug 12, 2011 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
therein lies the leverage
LA is going to have to practically give Angel away to pull this off. The question for us would be does this improve us more than Keane improves LA?
And it becomes more fun
When you think that there’s bound to be a team willing to take him for a low enough cost. Like anyone not in the top 3
no he wouldnt
Angel is just another montero.
Columbian, high salary, they were great two years ago, and now a PDL player could score more than them
by RaveGreenForever on Aug 14, 2011 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions
The fact that both Angel and Montero are Colombian
makes it slightly more likely than ‘not likely at all’
Nos Audietis
Chivas USA
they are also interested i believe
by RaveGreenForever on Aug 14, 2011 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Also breaking!
MLS set for press announcement to discuss the new DP rules allowing a 4th DP to teams in LA and NY.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 12, 2011 3:57 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
You forgot the fine print on that rule
“Extra allocation may cause dry mouth, shortness of breath, increased blood flow, dialated pupils, and halitosis. Offer only valid in NY and California.”
Alan Hinton tweeted...
“Been excited all week re Sounders happenings=signing a top player!! Quiet as focus is on Sea V Chivas 1pm tomorrow. This game concerns me??”
Hinton
is in love with = and ???
I wonder if=he does it=great tweeting=to stand out??
Sounders FC & Gunner's Supporter
What I don't get is why we haven't got a loaned striker
There are a lot of EPL and European teams that have a surplusage of strikers, e.g Chelsea. Man City. We could afford anyone strikers wages in the world for 4 months. I want Adebayor!!!
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 3:59 PM PDT reply actions
I'm with you
But I assume the reasons this doesn’t happen (yet) is:
A) The player doesn’t want to; sees it as a downgrade
B) The team that owns the player wants them to progress and don’t feel like they would get the competition here
C) The team would rather have them closer to home at a team they have connections with
D) One of 37 other reasons
Sounders FC & Gunner's Supporter
by Zack Ryland on Aug 12, 2011 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
first team experience maybe
Its alledgedly one of the reasons Keane is coming here. Irish coach told him he needs to play regularly in at least Championship or Mls to stay on Ireland team.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 4:56 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Adebayor is one of my favorite footballers
but he would never come to Seattle. or the MLS. at least not while he is still in his prime. He has Spurs and Madrid after him. I can’t see him choosing the MLS over those two clubs. Maybe they could entice Santa Cruz of City to come here for a short loan until the end of the MLS season.
MLS issues aside...
I was never clear on why people liked Adebayor. He has scored some good goals, but he couldn’t fit in at (successively) Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid; and that stunt where he ran the length of the field to celebrate a goal in front of the Arsenal supporters was vile. What is it that you see in him now?
by Kenneth Jung on Aug 12, 2011 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions
that goal celebration was epic
Adebayor is a character and that is a beautiful thing for the beautiful game. what’s in another boring footballer ? I like him because he looks out for himself. He is unique. He socres great goals, and he really stuck it to the Arsenal supporters. He is a guy who stands out from the rest. Good and bad. I am sure alot of you will disagree with this, (probably alot more than not) and that’s fine. To each his/her own. But this is the exact same reason I love Balotelli.
by brandinho on Aug 12, 2011 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not to mention, he's a total merc
Arsene Wenger literally raised him, put his neck out and put his faith in Adebayor for three seasons while he didn’t progress. Then as soon as he’s had a good year (only because RvP was injured), he starts complaining he’s not paid enough (despite having numerous years on his contract left), and so Wenger washed his hands of him, and sold him for an ABSURD amount. no way in hell Ade should be paid as a top five striker in the world. He’s not even in the top 25 strikers.
No likes someone who has no loyalty. I can’t believe you do, Brandinho.
In fairness to Adebayor
Arsenal seem to be incapable of hanging onto big-name players — Adebayor is just one of many. One wonders if something else is going on behind the scenes.
I also think that the response of most City or Madrid fans is more likely to be “meh” than hatred.
by Kenneth Jung on Aug 12, 2011 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Adebayor is garbage ???
if you truly believe this, then you are blind to football quality. Maybe his attitude is “garbage” in some people’s opinion, but to say he is garbage suggests you don’t know football quality from football mediocrity . And to say he didn’t progress is totally false. He scored 4 goals in his first year at Arsenal, and then he scored 12 in his second year. that is progression. Is it not?? Are you going to attempt to prove those factual statistics wrong? And Most Madrid supporters loved Adebayor.
also
as far as the no loyalty thing goes, I have an unbiased opinion about Adebayor’s unloyalty from a club’s prospective because i’m not a city or Arsenal supporter. But for instance, when Ljungberg showed no club loyalty to the Sounders, I took offense, so to be fair, I can agree with that to an extent.
But what top player is truly 100% loyal?? Think about it.. How many players spend their entire career with one club. A few names come to mind, sure. But one could say Cristiano Ronaldo has no loyalty for leaving United for Real Madrid. Wayne Rooney wanted to leave United during the offseason. That’s not loyal. You could say Mauro Rosales has no club loyalty for leaving River Plate. You could say Lionel Messi has no loyalty for leaving his home country of Argentina and playing for FC Barcelona as a youth. If a player wanting to leave his team for another makes him not loyal, then the entire transfer window is nothing but players with no loyalty?? And more times than not, when a player goes from one team to another, it’s for the money. So what makes Adebayor any different than any of these players? They all are unloyal in their own ways. Just because Adebayor adds a little character to his unloyalty doesn’t make him a bad person.
Adebayor is someone who I really believe would excel in the MLS
He has the size and the attitude to do well in our crash and bash league. And the Sounders well could afford $180K per week for four months. And regardless, there are so many good world-class strikers out there and we can splash cash such that I have a really hard time believing that we cannot pay enough to get the best to play on our “field turf” for only 4 months for likely MLS, CCL, and Open Cup glory. I don’t buy it.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions
cut off, sorry
buy it that we cannot afford a decent striker on whatever terms, and that no decent striker would come here whatsoever.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
It's possible that the FO
thinks that even without a DP signing, we will be a contender. I think the FO is disciplined enough that if they don’t get who they want, then we simply move forward and make the best of it. Then, in the off season, things change.
by Mugen Power on Aug 12, 2011 4:04 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Very true. There will be big changes in our offseason 11/12
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Need new keeper, pay Rosales, etc.
Not sure if sarcasm here, so excuse me if I state the obvious.
We have to replace Keller, have to pay Rosales and others we have what they are worth, and potentially sell some off, such as Montero to Ajax rumor.
A lot of moving pieces then.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 4:43 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Guranteed we're losing Keller, possibly Montero. Gonna have to pay Rosales more for sure
Just to name a few…
Sounders FC & Gunner's Supporter
Movement - none
If you think Jaqua, Noonan, or a number of other players will be on the team next year it’s not going to happen. Evans and Fucito could also be moving. I am more concerned with who we protect from Montreal.
Back to rumors, I think they have something going, but they have 20 minutes to file the paperwork with MLS, so we shall see
by Portscum Tampons on Aug 12, 2011 4:41 PM PDT reply actions
MLS told the teams
that they had until the end of the business day on Friday to file the paperwork to ensure that the deadline would be met. This basically means we either signed someone or didn’t and it just won’t be announced until after the Chivas USA match.
by Randy Meeker on Aug 13, 2011 12:27 AM PDT up reply actions
How much
does Noonan make now? I don’t hate Noonan like some do around here, if he was under 60k or so, I might not mind having him for depth.
I thought that
was his old pay level, and the FO just had to negotiate a new contract with him at the beginning of July. Unless they signed him at the same pay level.
It
is his old pay level. We won’t know how much it is now until the updated salary doc comes out.
I can't bring myself to make...
… the obvious dirty joke here. But I think that’s a bad trade for everyone involved.
by Kenneth Jung on Aug 12, 2011 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Rather have an EPL loaner than a DP Geezer
I would far rather have Alex Ferguson loan us a young player than sign a struggling older player like Angel. Just my 2 cents.
AH made it sound like a big player
When Josh talked to AH yesterday he mentioned a big signing not just a regular sized one. If that was Angel, I’d lose a little confidence in the FO. However, on the other side if we can’t come up with a deal, I wouldn’t mind a higher dollar non dp like kamara in a trade….he can score and he’s a bit taller.
Might have been Alan hinton
That led me to believe it was big…but I swear I read it from mayors too and he deleted the tweet or something.
68
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 12, 2011 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
because i dont have the latest FIFA
What are the Sounders current overall scores. So we know what we are looking for.
Mid 50s-60s on average
A few low 70s, like Alvaro, Kasey. I think Freddy and Steve are 78-80 off the top of my head. Average top-tier EPL team is like ALL starters 80-84, and basically the entire bench, with their reserves 70s. Give or take.
Important Fifa 11 safety tip: repopulating the Sounders with Cech, Nani, your own virtual pro with an earned overall of 83 at CB, and a mysterious blonde 6’ 6’ figure named “Thor” with all 99s as striker makes the MLS season and US Open kinda hilarious. I think it was a bug that gave me that roster.
Good grief, now there is a rumor that Keane is actuall coming here
because Joe Roth is is LA, that is why Keane is heading there first. I am not surviving the next 36 hours remotely sober.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 8:00 PM PDT reply actions
Mentioned
It was mentioned as a non likely rumor….he’s LA’s.
Well
Keane to LA is not gonna happen until they can dump JPA.
Chives and others
Jreports have already linked interest from chivas, us, etc….?
I can’t take it anymore!!!
I didn’t get any work done today. I’ve checked this website at least once every 15min today! I can’t even sit at a computer and finish a simple email! Damn it Hanauer, put me out of my misery.
He is in Vancouver
wondering why the ’Caps such so much. :)
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Not that I think there's any chance (or desirability) of this happening...
…but, if Nkufo were to suddenly to decide to “un-retire,” would we still control his rights, or would he be available to anyone on a free?
Here is a recent link on Anelka's status at Chelsea
http://www.footybunker.com/chelsea-striker-will-stay-if-no-offers-made-around-8m-mark/9413
Apparently it is gonna cost someone 8m English bucks to take a player like Anelka
with Lukaku coming in
Chelsea has a surplus of strikers. They really are begging for a loan of one. :)
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
8 million euro
That’d be equivalent to $220k a week, aka more than prince at $200k a week, aka more than AH said he’s willing to pay any player.
8 million Euro is the rumored transfer fee
not the wage.
Current salary
His current salary looks to be 4.86m euro per year, still a hefty price tag (more expensive than any other mls player currently).
Ah
Well I guess a loan would make sense, wonder what he would command for a yearly salary.
Uh yeah right
While I wish so, my drunken stupor is not that deep.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions
word from your brain or what?
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Aug 12, 2011 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of Mario Götze...
Mario GOMEZ would be perfect at Sounders.
by Kyle Ritter on Aug 12, 2011 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Gomez
That’s absolutely hilarious and true actually. He’d arguably be the MLS’ best player but he’s fit right in with his slow-mo finishing style.
nothing happened ? :(
MLS’s summer transfer window closes Sunday at 8:59 p.m. PT, but the league has informed clubs they need to submit paperwork by the end of business Friday to ensure players are approved before the deadline.
http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/10301/galaxy-reports-say-robbie-keane-close-to-deal
The MLS rules
say that the International Transfer Certificate (itc) must be requested by Sun night. I can’t imagine that the MLS would cut that short by two days. Deals have been done in other leagues at the literally, very last minute. If the MLS were to really do this, oh boy….
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Surprised
I’d be really surprised if MLS turned any big signing down before Sunday, especially if Seattle has already mentioned that they’re working on something.
Doesn't mean we didn't file anything
Who says we didn’t file anything and it’s just not made public yet?
We all have sources, but....
Good friend of mine is “may” be in a certain musical group we hear every game. Drunk tonight. Said “some forward from Arsenal is headed to the Sounders.” When asked if Bentner, said person said yes. (trying to remain vague on some of the details as to not get them in trouble if something happened).
As much as I would love to wear the red and white at the CLink, I don’t like that. Better then JPA rumors though…
by vikinglifeguard on Aug 12, 2011 10:33 PM PDT reply actions
Drunken rumors are the bestest
I could be a Gunner, Blue, Red Devil, Red with the the best of ’em…
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I know
but at least there is SOME club affiliation there, even if it isn’t the front office. And it is at least plausible. He isn’t a big EPL person so I doubt he would know Bentner is on the way out there (and for good reason considering they have a new $58 million pound treasury to spend).
by vikinglifeguard on Aug 12, 2011 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I will add (with extreme grains of salt)
I have a (crazy) bud in the sales office who says they are working on a big loan from the EPL. He said it last week. He thought it might be Adebayor but he at least “knew” it was EPL. He said at the very least, people are “guarding” the faxes at First and Goal, Inc. as of tonight.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
When i get drunk i make stuff up to screw with my friends too
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 13, 2011 1:16 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Arsenal: Campbell or Afobe maybe, Bendtner not likely
If it’s an Arsenal forward, Joel Campbell or Benik Afobe are far more likely than Bendtner, who is needed at the Emirates if he isnt offloaded for a transfer fee expected to be $15-20 million dollar range (10 million pounds to stoke is one I’ve seen). If he isn’t transferred, Arsenal would definitely use him.
Joel Campbell, signed today from Saprisssa, is a CONCACAF player, so that makes a ton of sense, especially since he isn’t like to get a work permit for Arsenal action. Afobe to, as he was supposed to be on the first team, but had his squad number yanked yesterday.
Don't play a dangerous game.
15-20????
Wow, you are over valuing Bentner. He was a bench guy. He wouldn’t see the light of day this year. They don’t need him. Offers are close to 8 million for him (at least rumored from Newcastle)
by vikinglifeguard on Aug 12, 2011 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions
And just so you know...
Bendtner is not a “bench guy.”
He’s a 23 year old 6’3 CF, a Danish full international who scored 10 goals and 6 assists for Arsenal last year. He is damn good, and he would definitely play alot at Arsenal, just like he did last year.
You’re kinda oh-fer-two, don’t know why you’d jump in to correct someone when you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Don't play a dangerous game.
He is gone
His play has decreased each year. Had 31 league appearances in 08/09 and 17 last year (23 between). Fans want him gone. They can’t wait to see him out. He has fallen in the depth charts with the signing of Gervinho and the rise of Ryo. Production is down, appearances in league are down, signing of more forwards = not needed as much.
by vikinglifeguard on Aug 12, 2011 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions
His production's not down
he just essentially split time with Chamakh. I think his goals/minute have stayed relatively constant. The guy divides opinion. I don’t think anyone would disagree that he’d be a great MLS player though.
by Kyle Ritter on Aug 12, 2011 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm a fan. I don't want him gone. And neither does Arseblog, Goonerholic, you name it. All the major AFC sites
You really have no idea what you’re talking about. Bendtner had his best year last yaer. He was injured some, but his production was excellent.
He’d be the most valuable player in the MLS from day one. I have no idea what makes you spew out uninformed nonsense every time you’re shown to be wrong…but what else do you have? Go for it.
Don't play a dangerous game.
Could do with a lot less of the personal invective
vikinglifeguard has an opinion about Bendtner. So do you. Leave it at that.
Nos Audietis
by sidereal on Aug 13, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ok, from Bleacher Report
Re Robbie Keane “as at only 31-years old he could have as many as six or seven good seasons at the lower level of competition to the English game.” http://bleacherreport.com/articles/795030-premier-league-transfers-keane-fabregas-sturridge-todays-top-gossip/entry/115478-la-galaxy-look-to-have-a-new-tabloid-friendly-front-man-in-robbie-keane “lower level?”—Didn’t we kick your British asses off our continent 200+ years ago? You can beat SEA reserves 6-0 but you can only get a 1-0 halftime lead against SEA. God bless the Red, White, and—F-U—Blue!!!!
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 12, 2011 11:07 PM PDT reply actions
Speaking of Gunners -
what about Carlos Vela – http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/942218/carlos-vela-could-be-sent-out-on-loan-again-this-season?campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901
Articles seem to be saying that Bendtner is looking for a transfer (could be too much $$?), whereas Vela is looking for a loan..
Giovani dos Santos anyone??
Here is a guy who is completely out of Redknapp’s plans and has no future at Tottenham. Sevilla, Udinese, and Fiorentina were supposed to sign him but they never went after him. Or if they did, it never went public. It would be ideal and to get him in a loan deal WITH an option to buy. That would be the perfect scenario. Gio would be a great signing. the one problem I see with him is, his main positions are attacking midfield, withdrawn forward and both wings. But those positions are all occupied by damn good players in Evans, Montero, Rosales and Fernandez/Zakuani. And we kind of need a target forward. It would be cool to sign him on loan, but i’m not sure if he would be the piece to get us to the next level.
Gio
simply plays too fast for our style of play.
Montero just sent out an interesting tweet
Goleador17 Fredy Montero
What a day in seattle !!!
Mmmm…the weather here is not too pretty today yet. Playing Chivas is nothing special. Is he implying something? :)
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 13, 2011 9:59 AM PDT reply actions
No. You're implying something.
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Aug 13, 2011 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
This would not be the first time this season
we go to a game to hear transfer news upon arrival, e.g. Nkufo, Sanyang.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 13, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Hm. The first letters in 'what a day seattle' are also the first letters in
We Acquired Dos Santos.
Fredy’s so sneaky.
Nos Audietis
by sidereal on Aug 13, 2011 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
Intrigue!
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
by Grady Clapp on Aug 13, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
That's very logical, so let's run with it
Dos Santos it is.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 13, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Ok, we have 24 hrs +
I will reserve my comments and let this play out. We will see what the Sounders do. If they don’t do something smart, I will then make my comments. Tick, tock.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 13, 2011 4:40 PM PDT reply actions
White suffered a setback
which sucks especially if we cant sign someone
Whats
this Friday deadline I’m reading something. Something about if they want to make a move they have to submit it to MLS yesterday.
i think MLS imposed a time that needed requests submitted to them
so they can have time to approve them..
But the thing is… if a team signs a player after that time and they will help the MLS then the MLS will approve them
Wow
7pm Saturday and not one solid rumor.
At least they could just come out and give us some kind of info with 24 hrs left. What’s the big freaking deal if they tell us who they are targeting at this point.
by fcjake on Aug 13, 2011 7:03 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
It's
always the player/agent/media that leaks it not Seattle.
It's probably
only a big deal if they’re not targeting anyone at all, I would guess.
Well
the only way a rumor doesn’t come out if its not a name player. Example Vancouver latest DP signing. There was not 1 single rumor on who it was.
Yeah
The Chivas USA game came and went and not a peep on transfers. I was glad to see Noonan start up top today. I think he quashed any hopes that we may have had that he could contribute more than Levesque or OBW up top. He squandered so many chances. I was tearing my hair out. We need a big talent up top and tomorrow’s the FO’s last chance I think. Sure we may nab JPA, but we could do so much better I think.
I really hope that late tomorrow afternoon we have some awesome news. Otherwise I think today’s game proved that the SS is out of our reach and we need to focust on CCL and USOC with our best players until the playoffs get here. Frustrating, yes. A failure? No, not yet at least. The results will speak for themselves come November when we have our Alliance meeting.
Could we be getting someone from Tanzania?
From MLS rumors:
By SUNDAY NEWS Reporter, 13th August 2011 @ 12:04
USA Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit, Seattle Sounders, is expected to set up an academy in Tanzania following the successful trials that Azam FC’s striker, Mrisho Ngasa, underwent at the former last month.
Ngasa went for week long trials at Seattle Sounders and had an opportunity of his lifetime, when he featured for the club in an international friendly match against English Premier League champions, Manchester United, with the latter winning 7-0.
Seattle Sounders’ Vice- Chairman, Lance Lopez, said in a statement that the move has also been inspired by a plea issued out by Tanzania’s President, Jakaya Kikwete, who invited USA sports stakeholders to invest in the country.
Lopez said apart from setting up the academy, his club has planned to take three Tanzanian players every year for trials, as the MLS side has discovered there is plenty of talent in Tanzania.
He said the three players taken to the club will comprise two seniors and one U-17 player, who will be drafted into the club’s academy.
by Eastside Ajacied on Aug 13, 2011 7:53 PM PDT reply actions
Seems like
If the rumors about signing Ngasa next year are true, then they could just sign him now if the FO doesn’t have any one else in mind.
Long-term I like this move a lot
It’s not going to be much help this season. It will take 3-5 seasons for this to fully pay off.
The fact that they apear to have his signing all lined up
And haven’t announced anything could be a good sign that they are targeting someone for the transfer window and still think they could get them. Otherwise why not at least bring Ngasa in. We could use all the depth we could get while going for 3 trophies.
On another note,
God, I wish we had Le Toux back.
Maybe we will
he isn’t getting much use in Philly, given that they play him at right back half the time
Nos Audietis
Our need is glaring
I pray we have a something up our sleeve at the 11th hour. I have quite vitriolic commentary in mind if we get no one. We saw our lovely lack of a second (and maybe a first) consistent striker yet once again. And I pity the person who would think that Noonan is better than Fucito—my only hope is that Fucito is secretly injured or something, otherwise that is a huge swing-and-a-miss by Sigi. I also am getting quite agitated at the happy-go-lucky types who keep saying, “oh well, at least we are third in the league” and other such nonsense. If you are a fan of this game, and you believe that we should play to win everything we are in, then you cannot argue against our lack of a forward. Tick, tock…
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 13, 2011 10:23 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Well on a positive note,
Seattle just beat Manchester United 4 to 3 on my FIFA 11 iphone app. :)
I suggest you play some FIFA. It will take the edge off while we wait the next day through.
I'd rather not
see your vitriol. Nothing personal. I’m sure it would be quite good, but I’d much rather read about a good trade deal having been made or that OBWs latest ailment turned out to be nothing. Less than 12 hours left. My confidence is waning. If there’s no trade and OBW is out for another 2 months, the FO will have some ‘splainin’ to do.
by Eastside Ajacied on Aug 14, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Really?
You don’t LOVE the thought of Levesque or Noonan starting every MLS game from here ’til the end of the season?
What is wrong with you?
/s
Irish Striker Kyle Lafferty
is being targeted by West Ham for around $2 million pounds. He has been on the radar previously and is coming off a recent operation for a sports hernia. Should be game fit within the next week or so. He is a giant lanky bastard that can put the ball in the net.
JPA to Philly?
Mondragon just tweeted this:
What a dream come true will be to have my “brother” @JUANPABLOANGEL to play for the Philadelphia Union, he will fit perfectly in our team!
However, when you read the spanish version of that tweet which came right before (and right after) the first verb makes all the difference. He’s waying “what a dream come true it would be…” Big difference. Still, maybe he knows something we don’t about active negotiations.
The question for Sounders followers is did we even try for JPA? Maybe we didn’t even want him, and if that’s true, then fine, whatever. But, if we did try to get him and were outbid by Philly, then I hope that hasn’t been the trend in many (or all) of our negotiations. This is the USA and we play on field turf. If we want to attract a great talent, we should expect to lose negotiations unless we’re willing to pay more. I wonder if Adrian has been spending too much time trying to drive prices down and not enough time making enticing offers to his ’targets".
He followed it up with
Its just a personal wish, just saying, you never know!!! DOOP!!!
Although I’d be ok with it. I really haven’t been a fan of JPA and lately he hasn’t been impressing.
To address your other points, I would hope we wouldn’t get outbid. We all know we bring in enough money not to within the MLS.
Dave just reiterated an excellent point
This International window is only for: “the dates between which MLS may request the transfer certificate of a player under contract in another country” So it does look like we could still sign out-of-contract international players by the 9/15 roster deadline: “No trades may occur after the Roster Freeze Deadline of September 15, 2011 at 5 p.m. ET” Thus, we could still find and add a Rosales in the next month. Perhaps there is hope yet as there are some good footballers in the EPL that are still without contract.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 14, 2011 9:44 AM PDT reply actions
I'm still unclear on the specifics...
But as long as player doesn’t require a transfer certificate, I think they can be added.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 14, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
This extends silly season for me
I only need to lower my expectations now. I will update the whiteboard in the basement and change the top targets from Adebayor and Drogba to Marcus Bent and James McFadden. Anyone who watched yesterday’s game knows we are down to one meaningful striker that we will play (FM), and one other that we will not (Fucito), with the rest just average bodies.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 14, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
At this point I'm thoroughly beaten down to "Whatever"
If something happens it’ll be like that Christmas Eve where you drink a little too much champagne, which would be fine, but then there’s way too much rum in the eggnog and you start to brown out…so when you wake up on Christmas morning and everyone else is opening presents, you’re surprised all over and again and opening presents is twice as sweet.
this whole topic
Is making me a torured soul! I am a miserable mess waiting for any announcement.
by jmitchell on Aug 14, 2011 10:42 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Update from Mayers
No moves for Sounders FC in the transfer window. Came close on two targets, got “to the one-yard line” with one. Fell through few days ago.
well this sucks... i have no faith in getting anything this season.
we needed a striker bad…. Im sick and tired of seeing noonan and jaqua
Would
it be over reacting to pretty much forget about the rest of the season and look towards winter transfer window?
This really sucks!
Although I think we have to realize where this league is at and the kind of big name signing we want, probably does not want to come Seattle.
by fcjake on Aug 14, 2011 1:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
This really sucks!
Although I think we have to realize where this league is at and the kind of big name signing we want, probably does not want to come Seattle.
by fcjake on Aug 14, 2011 1:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Got to the one-yard line?
How about a more appropriate metaphor: won the penalty but hit the left post, off the keeper’s head, and out for a worthless corner…
by MicahRowe18 on Aug 14, 2011 1:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Meta Analysis:
Our FO is having just as much trouble with finishing as our players.
And don’t get me wrong, I love both, but it is also because I love them that I want to see them finish well. I’m getting way too familiar with that “to the one-yard line” feeling. Sigh.
by bago'juice on Aug 14, 2011 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Another update
Book isn’t entirely closed on targets (offseason transfer window), so names will be harder to get. Both were forwards playing in Europe.
Ugh
Gutted is all I can say. I’m sure I will feel better in a few days but for now I am really disappointed with our FO for not getting something done. We still have a chance to win multiple trophies but the FO has not help improve our chances. If we fail to meet our goals this failure will most likely be main point used as a reason. We have had 5 months to line something up. I’m still holding out hope that we can still make some moves to improve our front line before the roster freeze but if this is any indication I am getting prepared to be disappointed.
Deals falling through
do happen but i rather have a deal fall through before the transfer window OPENS not on the last 2-3 days of a transfer window.
by gstommylee on Aug 14, 2011 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
true
its hard to know whats going on then either.
All I can hope
Is that it was the player deciding he didn’t want to come over and not that we weren’t willing to spend enough to get him. I can’t fault the FO if the player decided that they don’t want to come. Hopefully the FO has learned something from this and that these kinds of failures are over. I’d rather overpay to get the player we want then try and get market value and miss out.
by Colin Johnson on Aug 14, 2011 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Failure to finish
Like our team, so too our F.O.
Plenty of chances created, but none converted.
Story of our collective lives.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
Of course I will eat my words
When they pull something out of nothing in extra-time.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 14, 2011 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
Our FO has failed so hard this season.
Only one DP-class game-changing player signed for basically pennies.
I wanted at least four of those.
To be fair
Rosales is not some wonder-move of our FO. The fact that they were willing to play ball when approached by an agent is kinda like calling a tap-in a wonder strike.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 14, 2011 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
March 15th
Sounders front office had since March 15th to replace Nkufo, and since April 22 to replace Zak. This can only be considered complete failure.
We
did sign Rosales so and that our midfielder has been picking up the slack that Zak left when he got hurt.
As disappointed and frustrated as I am
I believe the FO is fully aware of the blowback that will come from not signing a DP, and do their best to make up for it…..patience is a virtue….all good things come to those who wait….
A common refrain
In Canada this year.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 14, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
1st best support
3rd best team.
It’s not so bad I guess. We could be Mariners fans.
You could be a Toronto Fan
Great support from day one. Crappy team from day one.
I am a Mariners fan
Which is why this feeling is so wonderful.
I LOVE being ticked like whinny little Yankees fans that we didn’t sign the mega-block-buster and turn ourselves into a monster team at the trade deadline.
It is a new feeling, having one of the top teams with a income stream that seems likely to KEEP it that way for some time (i.e. a fan base comparatively large enough to support being a top team for a long while, and an intelligent front office with an intelligent ownership group).
It would help me feel a little better
if we could at least find out some of the details, names, what kept the deals from happening, etc.
Once we get a natural grass pitch
that is well kept, we will attract more class footballers. Nobody wants to play on field turf, nobody. What are the chances of the city building a Sounder specific stadium at some point in the future?
No chance on a Stadium
You will never get tax payer money to build a stadium. Not anytime in the near future. Plus where would you put it?
I agree we do need grass though. I dont think many fans realize how big of a deal that is to major players. They will not come here because our field is turf.
No chance really?
No private donations, fund raisers, etc? A nice 40k person soccer stadium in the fashion of St. James Park would be amazing….you could always find a location….
Why
would Joe Roth spend 300-400m on a stadium that one day may not be needed once we hit attention of 50k per game.
We wont get 50k sustained
This isn’t Barcelona, or Madrid.
and
how do you know the support won’t grow to the point where it could?
Of course I can't see the future
but I would wager a large sum that you will NEVER see 50k sustained soccer fans at CenturyLink…..EVER….
Do you guys
understand how difficult it is to average over 50k fans per match? Hell, Camp Nou has trouble breaking that. Championship or not, we won’t have 50k fans unless our talent increases, as does the leagues.I don’t ever see it happening.
Jesus
You guys still don’t understand that soccer/football is not the fabric of american sports culture as is the NFL. Take a look at the top 10 in attendance last year. You think Seattle, in the U.S., can get in that table?
1 FC Barcelona 80,1531 2010–11 Camp Nou, Barcelona Spain
2 Borussia Dortmund 79,2502 2010–11 Westfalenstadion, Dortmund Germany
3 Manchester United 75,1093 2010–11 Old Trafford, Manchester England
4 Real Madrid 70,7361 2010–11 Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid Spain
5 Bayern Munich 69,0002 2010–11 Allianz Arena, Munich Germany
6 Schalke 04 61,2482 2010–11 Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen Germany
7 Arsenal 60,0253 2010–11 Emirates Stadium, London England
8 Hamburger SV 54,4452 2010–11 Imtech Arena, Hamburg Germany
9 Milan 53,5284 2010–11 San Siro, Milan Italy
10 Marseille 51,0815 2010–11 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille France
11 Internazionale 50,5784 2010–11 San Siro, Milan Italy
Yes.
There are only 17 league games and that creates demand. I can easily see us drawing an extra 14 thousand more a game as long as the FO doesn’t make a collosal mistake.
And we have proven repeatedly that Seattle is not like most other markets.
Your optimism
is kinda sweet. Don’t get me wrong, I would love soccer to be the #1 sport in the U.S., but I am a realist, and it never will be.
You
have no idea where soccer would be in the US let say 10 years 20 years or even 30 years from now.
You are insane
if you think soccer will eclipse the NFL in this country. Insane.
Technically
it already has happened. The sounders has higher attendance then the Seahawks.
if
You mean the entire league than just Seattle then you have a point.
Why does soccer
have to eclipse the NFL in order for the Sounders to get an additional 14k fans a game? I just don’t get the connection.
Absorbing fan base is a big part of it
you guys throw around 14k fans like its no big thing. And that is 14k average, not simply one match like the ManU friendly
But why would that require
Soccer overtaking football the U.S. as a whole? Also, don’t forget, seating is artificially lowered at C-Link we don’t know how many people the Sounders would average without that. It’s very possible we could be talking about a difference of 10k or less.
We
were 4k less from hitting 50k for the New York game and that was on a weekday.
good sir
that was one game, nationally televised, and I believe part of a ticket package for the ManU friendly, correct?
Yes
however you can’t really argue that Seattle attendance for that one game can’t be the same if it wasn’t part of a ticket package for a friendly.
I’ll make 1 finally argument before moving on and that is NFL in my opinion can’t go any higher than what it already is.
But with MLS and soccer as sport can go only one direction and that is up.
We agree
Again, I want MLS to succeed as much as anybody, but to say that 50k average is within reach seems to lack a bit of perspective. Either way, we keep supporting.
You
can’t compare MLS to European leagues. But i could argue that every one of those teams at some point in their history had worse attendance then the sounders. You can’t just create league and expect every team to get 50k per game in their first year.
They had all to start somewhere.
what happens if (gasp) we hit a few seasons of average play?
there are ebbs and flows in a teams performance over the years…while seattle is soccer mad, soccer still not in the fabric of our national sports conscience. so what do you think will happen when we hit an inevitable lull in our success and are simply a mid-table team for a a couple of seasons? do you really think that we’ll still pull in 36k a match? We don’t pull in anywhere near 36k for the home CONCACAF matches right now.
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
You are kinda acting like a massive dick considering we are arguing hypotheticals that neither side can prove.
by Robert on Aug 14, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
i think that is unfair
MP has his opinion and I agree with a lot of it. I don’t see him being any more of a dick than those arguing against his points
To add atop that
The Mariners routinely pulled 45k per game (!!!) during the early 2000 era right after Safeco opened. They had the new digs, the big wins, and were riding high.
Anyone seen how many they pull now?
Seattle fans ARE NOT LOYAL to teams. They are loyal to wins. There are some Seattle fans who will always be die-hards, but this town is generally fair-weather. Whatever one or two teams are doing well, those teams get support.
The exceptions are Seahawks and Husky football – but even the purple and gold lost support while they were losing in the last few years.
by Orothar on Aug 14, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who cares about the 'national sports conscience'?
You think anyone in Seattle gets up and thinks ‘I really want to go to the Sounders game, but soccer just isn’t popular on ESPN, so I guess I won’t’?
Home attendance is a local concern, not a national one. I am 100% positive that if someone told you and Mugen in 2008 that the Sounders would pull 36K a game in 2010 you’d both say all the same stuff you’re saying now.
Nos Audietis
by sidereal on Aug 14, 2011 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
fairly strong assumption
i lived for 10 years with my property backing what used to be a farm field. Two years in it was transformed into a park and one years later a regional youth soccer tournament began an annual visit to the park. I watched over the next 6 years as that tournament went from a small event to one that brought in literally millions of dollars to my town during that event. I’ve had little doubt that a professional MLS team would do well in the PNW — this truly is a soccer hungry region of the country.
The issue I have when discussing long term attendance averages rests with fan loyalty. Sports that have a longer and more storied tradition in our country (and yes, in our local region) struggle to maintain fans during the down and even average years and soccer has not had sufficient time to burrow itself into the regional fans (let alone national) hearts and minds.
The die-hards will always be there (me included)…but it takes years (more than three) to win over a 30k+ loyal fan base that will still pony up for tickets because it’s the Sounders, not because it’s the winning, successful Sounders.
I believe we can get there. I just happen to believe we are on the first steps of that eventual dream becoming reality.
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
We weren't the winning, successful Sounders in year 1
We were the completely new, haven’t done anything (in MLS) Sounders. And we pulled 31K.
Nos Audietis
the new exciting kids on the block
in an area that is soccer hungry….. if we’d come out and bombed do you think that those number would have been sustainable?
we all know how fortunate we are to live in a region that is so ready for this beautiful game. We have an organization that’s done it right in terms of creating a fan experience that’s difficult to match, no matter the sport. But if this team wasn’t successful and didn’t stay successful do you really think that 31k would have continued to show up let alone increase? History suggests otherwise.
I hope we continue to grow the fan base — the steady rabid fans that will follow no matter what, simply because they’ve fallen in love with the sport and with the entire Sounder experience. But across all sports, when a team hits tough times, the fans support wanes.
As long as this is a winning franchise, great — we’ll be fine.
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
regarding the importance of national and not just local support of soccer
it should be kinda of obvious why it matters… if soccer on a national, professional level does not stay successful then the sounders as we know them cease to exist regardless of the local support….
an organization isn’t going to consider putting mega-dollars towards a new stadium based solely on a couple good years of local support without also considering if there’s nationally sustainable growth and support of the league to warrant such a monetary investment….
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
because of course the success of a national mls has no bearing on the sounders?
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
It doesn't for me
The other teams stir no interest for me, other than their role as villains to be overcome.
Besides
the point you are asking our owners to spend their own money to build a stadium just so we can have grass.
not gonna happen any time soon ---
fund raisers and donations would barely scratch the surface to the overall costs of building an entirely new facility and it would run into so much public debate and criticism as our current stadium was sold to the ‘the people’ has not being solely for football but also for a future mls team
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
So
ljungberg is a nobody, Nkufo? Rosales? Sorry but you can’t say nobody wants to play on field turf.
In comparison to the quality of someone like Henry
Yes, they are nobody. And I bet if you asked them, they would want natural grass.
henry
is a bad example to use. He wouldn’t have come here anyways regardless of our field turf.
Point is
they don’t like playing on fake grass. It’s Seattle, there is no excuse for not having a natural pitch.
a
crappy grass pitch is just as bad as Field turf. That will become an issue with a stadium that is being used for more than MLS and NFL.
Three teams playing on the same turf in the coming year.
Two teams playing on the same turf beyond that. It’s just not that simple.
at this point, i'd say non-existent
this stadium was built (and funded) with the intention to support both the seahawks and a future (at that time) mls team. this area is now pretty dang gun shy on trying to get more stadium funding approved and these economic times won’t help that whatsoever.
I do believe that getting a grass surface will be important but we will always run into the fact that we are not LA or NY in terms of perception (outside of soccer) - seattle is not viewed as a world renowned city.
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
I'd love a real sss like KC
But it makes more sense to get grass in either the revamped Husky stadium or Qwest.
Grass
pitch is not worth 300-400m+ cost that’ll be coming out of our owners pockets. You’ll more likely see the seahawks built a new stadium then the sounders at some point down the road.
you think grass will not happen?
or the sss?
Unless
we gotten to the point of having to replace the staduim That is the only reason why i see our owners paying the money. But the new stadium would still be multi-use both Seahawks and sounders.
I'm exausted
trying to rationalize my disappointment with Seattle sports teams, I still think Hanauer is good GM, and I think the Sounders are an awesome team. But I wouldn’t be good fan if I didn’t express my disappointment with the FO’s results this transfer window. While I think most will get over this relatively quickly. This is going to put huge pressure on Hanauer to sign someone in the off season. I also wonder how this will effect the vote in November.
My gut tells me
if Hanauer did pick up a Striker like everyone wanted, and they still didn’t win, I think most people would be willing to forgive. Without a signing I’m not so sure. On the other hand if they continue to play reasonably well, I don’t think he’ll have a problem either.
and
if LAG/FCDallas win instead there should be trouble.
Both teams improved in the window and both team are currently better than the Sounders. Meanwhile we failed to do anything.
A USOC win would qualm most but I don’t see us coming home with USOC, SS, CCL, or the MLS Cup. Just the lowly and imaginary Cascadia.
Disappointing, but not unexpected.
Now I just want to see Sigi try something different tactically, anything but Roger and Noonan as target forwards.
Yeah.
In order to play a 4-4-2 you need to two forwards. We have .5 forwards. Something could/should change.
Sigi must feel like Lou in the early 2000's
Just needed that one more offensive piece and the FO is unable…
Very similar
Was just thinking about that. Team in contention, high attendance, making money, need goes unaddressed.
Wow.
Levesque, Jaqua and Noonan for the rest of the season.
That ain’t gonna get it done.
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 2:14 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
kinda makes me wanna throw up
those players might be fine for depth off the bench but those guys our the front line starting rotation (except jaqua)….
I love the spirit and fight of this team but i am incredibly frustrated that the FO couldn’t seem to figure out immediately following Zak/OBW injuries in APRIL that just maybe they should be extending the boundaries just a little to bring in some help.
I love the fight and spirit of this team and we do have talent and some depth — except up front. I understand that the FO didn’t want to make a move just to make a move — but every team has widows of success and I think most recognize that the team as we see it now will be drastically different next year. We are so close this year talent wise and it’s extremely disappointing that they couldn’t get anything done to help us out up front in the last 4+ months (actually longer if considering they let Nkufo go before the 1st game).
I get that our city does have the world-name recognition to draw in some players and our turf will be an issue for others. But we’ve been able to get solid talent here and it’s just so incredibly frustrating.
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
post fail....'our city doesn't have the world-name recognition.....'
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
Maybe they are trying to make him look good
To shop him in a trade
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
They'd need to get ILM on the case
Because that’s just not happening without CGI.
We have a guy on the bench who routinely puts the ball on frame
and causes havoc for the back line……ya know, Mikey Fucito….
Sigi...
…Refuses to play him. Favors Levesque and Noonan. But I agree with you.
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 2:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Sigi
did play him with Montero and it wasn’t working.
I would be interested
to see Jaqua and Fucito up top, with Montero in a CAM postion with Fernandez and Morales out wide, with Alonso playing CDM….then we have some size up front, the creativeness of Montero, and Fucito making runs off of Jaqua.
What?
It wasn’t working? Says who?
We were more dangerous then than we are now. And it’s not as if Sigi gave the Montero/Fucito much of a chance before he started Levesque six matches in a row.
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 2:45 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't think it was a big enough sample size
Fucito still played well in those games, and also had some bad luck that cost him a goal or two.
Writer: CougCenter Twitterer: @GradyClapp
I heard Sigi is going to convert to Player-Coach..
Sorry trying to bring a sense of humor to this. Yes, I am disappointed we didn’t affirm a commitment to addressing an obvious need, however we must rally around our current players. We can still get an international without a club. PS el classico on ESPN3 is getting crazy . Sounder til I die!
Mesut Ozil, "The Best Thing on Two Legs Since Sophia Loren"
I love you Roy Hudson
No MLS Cup. Again.
Back line isn’t consistent and our strikers can’t finish. We’ll make the playoffs, but we’re not getting close to the final.
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 2:33 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Cause they didn't have the most productive striker pairing in the MLS?
Kinda opposite our problem atm.
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
by Little old me on Aug 14, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow
after reading all these posts you would think we were the last place team doomed to lose every game for the rest of the season.
Relax people. This is not the end of the world. We are still in the hunt for trophies and the team did not get worse by us not acting.
I get the feeling that people on this message board will not be happy unless we win every trophy every year. That is just completely unrealistic.
by MurrayD on Aug 14, 2011 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
when have we ever won every trophy?
it’s nice that you’re trying to be all against the grain but you’re also wrong.
It's the missed opportunities that are frustrating
Both on and off the field.
As for getting worse by not acting, in effect we have, because our main competition have made moves to improve and we haven’t. It’s possible the guys we have currently can do the job, but it’s far from a sure thing. Bringing in someone who can consistently finish would have helped immensely.
the proof is in the post-season post-season pudding
and thus far, we’ve barely dipped our toe in that dessert bowl. Until we can round out our team we will struggle to go deep (though I am eager to be proved wrong). Don’t get me wrong, this team fights hard and is doing well. But we all know that everything steps up in the post-season and we need to be able to step as well. Do we have the horses to make that happen right now?
Life's what happens while you're making other plans
Adrian
came out on a statement on those 2 targets.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2015911225_no_moves_coming_in_this_intern.html#.TkhCIrx1FdU.twitter
One already had transferred to another team and the other target was convinced to stay at current club otherwise the deal wit the 2nd target would have happened.
bleh
That second target
Sounds a lot like prince tagoe.
by agtk on Aug 14, 2011 3:03 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Not only are we being hurt by our own injuries on offense
But those of other teams as well.
by Derek R on Aug 14, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I bet that..
The first target (the one that got transferred to another team) was Cisse, who moved to Lazio. The second target was probably Tagoe. Reports came out a few days ago that he had mysteriously left Hoffenheim, but I assume they may have had some injuries… What a shame. To whoever decided to get injured last minute and screw the Sounders over — I hate you!
Their first striker Ibisevic is out for at least two months
He got injured sometimes in August before their season started, so it could be that his injury is one to blame if we really targeted Tagoe.
Wo wants to do some Googling?
Go to town.
“One got transferred a little bit earlier in the window to a different club,” explained general manager Adrian Hanauer, who didn’t want to identify the targets. “The second one we got to the one-yard line on. A lot of documentation was finalized. We thought we were there and a couple days ago that started unraveling. Without getting too specific, it was a player who was prepared to move and in the run up to when it should’ve been completed the team had two injuries at forward. Obviously I’m not on the inside, but it appears as though the coach of the club went to the player and said he needed him. So they were able to convince him to stay.”
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 3:04 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Does indeed....
Sound like the two targets were Cissé and Tagoe.
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 3:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
If Tagoe was the second?
Ibsevic appeared to be one of the injured players and maybe Obassi the other.
Tagoe was subbed on at the 69th minute against Windeck two weeks ago in a 1st round DFB Pokal game
90th minute against Hannover last week in Bundesliga
and not subbed in at all against Borussia yesterday in Bundesliga
Zero starts in that “injury riddled” lineup
If it was Tagoe…he might want to punch that coach in the face that talked him into staying. How many minutes will he get when Ibsevic gets healthy?
Injured Depth Chart for Hoffenheim
Schipplock, Mlapa, Babel, and an injured Obassi…and Ibsevic when he gets healthy…then Tagoe.
So
Who do you think is the best non-starting forward in the MLS we could have a crack at?
"But who would listen to Little Old Me anyway?"
-by -Dave Clark
and -thehemogoblin
Gale Agbossoumonde
Reserve minutes would do this kid well. Plus help with depth at CB
Miguel Montano transferred...
From @CoulterChris on Twitter:
According to his Facebook account, #Sounders Miguel Montano is now off to Montreal Impact #MLS
by nicktjacob on Aug 14, 2011 3:19 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
What is the duration of Montano's loan spell?
The Montreal Impact’s season ends next month in September. Will it be a short loan until the end of Montreal’s season?
no idea
we’ll have to wait for the press release
well that sucks if we end up loosing Montano.
We are already loosing Keller for sure. Now we will probably loose Montano. And potentially another player (if it’s not Montano) in the expansion draft. And there is the likelihood of loosing Montero to Europe. And one player who could leave that alot of people don’t expect to leave is Steve Zakuani. But I think because of his injury, we have a greater chance of loosing him. He will probably look at this year as a year lost of course, and this year, if he stayed healthy could have possibly been his last year in Seattle because he was on his way to an all star type year. So I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to Europe just to save the year that he lost. Because it is inevitable that he is going to Europe sometime soon. i think we can all agree on that.
I think Zak's injury makes it more likely he'll stay here
He needs to re-establish himself, and we’re in a much better position to give him minutes where he can show that he’s still got it.
A Euro squad would be taking a huge risk on Zak if he moves before coming back from the injury.
I agree, but what I am saying is
I think if Zakuani received an offer, from his prospective, he would be much more likely to jump on it and take the offer. I’m not saying it will now be more likely that a Euro team will make him an offer. That is probably slim to none now. What I am saying is, if he gets that call from a team, I think he will be more likely to take it.
Makes
me wonder if Montano does well with the impacts that that they make take him during the expansion draft.
Wonder if...
…he’ll make an impact?
by Adam Waltering on Aug 14, 2011 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
How about
Teal Bunbury? Sporting is stacked at forward. I mean, I’m just gonna throw names out there. People who I think realistically could leave their clubs given the right conditions. Justin Braun, I’d love for a Luke Rodgers type (its a stretch I know) Le Toux (if they pick up JPA this is a possibility) ahhhhh, my head
I would LOVE to have Salgado.
But I don’t think he is ready to make an impact just yet. But he would be a great asset for the future.
I'm glad Hanauer
at least did a good job explaining the situation as much as he could. It makes me feel better that at least that we were willing to go after some bigger targets, and probably will be during the off season. Also I find the part about the rule change regarding younger DPs to be interesting. Anyone care to explain what that means?
Sounds like
They might give more cap flexibility to teams for dps who arent over the hill.
by Adam Waltering on Aug 14, 2011 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Taking a guess
Players under 25 whose DP status is only due to their transfer fee.
by agtk on Aug 14, 2011 3:51 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
That
would make sense but i was mostly wondering what salary-cap flexibility teams would get.
Here's how I would craft the rule...
Transfer fees (up to $1million) for players < 25yrs old are not factored into the salary cap hit. Only their salary would count against the cap. They would however count as one of the teams 3 DP’s even if their salary was for example $40k/yr.
This would allow teams more flexibility in how they manage their DP slots. It incentivizes them to do a better job scouting with the potential profits of selling on a young player to Europe. The MLS would share in the gains.
With the rumor of JPA going to Philly
that would give them alot of players that can play striker in
1.Mwanga
2.Adu
3.Paunović
4.Le Toux
5.McInerney
6.JPA (of course if they actually aquire him)
Maybe we could get Le Toux or McInerney
Also, Vancouver has alot of good strikers in Hassli, Camilo, Salgado, Tan, Harris, and Jarju. Maybe we could get Camilo or Tan.
Could you imagine the fan reaction...
…if we brought Seba back?
it would be crazy!!
I’m sure he would get a standing ovation from the moment he walked out of the tunnel. That would be worth the price of admission. Plus, I think he always enjoyed Seattle as a city.
Confirmed: Michael Thurk
According to Sport1.de, Michael Thurk will be going to either Sounders or LAGalaxy imminently. He’s a striker from FC Augsburg, 35 years old.
I just looked up Michael Thruk
the only problem I see with him other than his massive age is, he is not a target forward. He plays basically the same position as Fredy Montero and Mike Fucito. So to me, this does not solve are problem. It adds depth, yes. But already had Fucito for depth at that position.
I don’t know why Sigi hates the concept of the 4-3-3 so much. That would solve all our problems in the short term of the remainder of the season.
Keller
Wahl-Hurtado-Parke-Riley
Fernandez-Alonso-Friberg
Fucito-Montero-Rosales
Also, I know Sigi said OBW had a “complication” with his injury, but has their been any significant update on OBW at this point?
Unlikely to be any OBW update for a couple of days...
…if, as seems to be the case, his “complication” occurred on Friday. We’ll have to wait on medical tests which will probably begin Monday morning.
However, the fact of it is, if there’s any form of problem at all (and it’s hard to imagine there wouldn’t be), there’s no chance he’ll be back this season. It took him three months to get from the initial problem to where he could even spend a few minutes on the field (in the ManU friendly), and another month to get him to the point where he could play in a competitive reserve league game — and that still wasn’t at full strength. If he has to go thinners again, it will take until he doesn’t need them anymore until he can even start training once more, and, by then, he’ll have lost some of the condition he has now. Count on next season, if he’s lucky.
Similar player to Montero
But also of similar ability. At least according to Football Manager 11…
So that’s nifty.
The ol' loaning out depth and failing to add talent strategy
Sure to help in our quest for multiple trophies
Montano
wasn’t gonna be starting in the CCL anyways.
This is a punch in the gut
A pie in the face. These fans desrve better than these striker pretenders. I think the management sat on their hands thinking they didn’t need to make a move and in the end it was too little too late. I am extremely dissappointed.
by Kevin Higginbottom on Aug 14, 2011 7:03 PM PDT reply actions
So you think Hanauer is a liar?
by Aaron Campeau on Aug 14, 2011 7:50 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe more of a spin doctor. He made a statement a few days ago that reeked of “nothin’s gonna happen this time” And now this one yard line garbage?
by Adam Waltering on Aug 14, 2011 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
And also...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Any idea what’s going on with Marcus Hahnemann? He can come back outside of the window because he’s not a transfer.
I thought
I read somewhere that he got an offer from a European club.
by Adam Waltering on Aug 14, 2011 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I read
the same thing but from what i heard it wasn’t likely to happen.
He'e
still subject to allocation and i think Seattle doesn’t want to try to trade and get him now due to not have enough cap space.
At this point it may be a waiting game re: allocation order
Presumably there’s mutual interest between the Sounders and Hahnemann, but no urgency. So, we wait to see how high Seattle moves up the allocation order before the end of the season (when the order resets). Unlike we rise to #1, but maybe we move up a few more positions, either getting him by others passing… or at least minimizing potential compensation in a trade. Or maybe we just figure out a way to get it done in the offseason when there’s a better cap fit.
Last hour of the window now
JPA is still looking for a club. http://www.brotherlygame.com/2011/8/14/2363303/juan-pablo-angel-los-angeles-galaxy-faq-transfer-rumor-philadelphia-union Let’s see what may happen
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 14, 2011 8:03 PM PDT reply actions
in case you're wondering
my own convo with hanauer is now up, feel free to take the conversation there.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
Interesting tidbit to add
I am just back from dropping my kid off at soccer camp and ran into a person I know, a former international soccer player and someone who is well familiar the workings at the Sounders. He told me that the Sounders are a victim of their own success overseas. Many in Europe know of us very well, know of our huge support and our “rich owners” (remember that Allens’ yacht is bigger than Abramovich’s) He said that every time we speak with any well known player, they completely think we could easily strike them a $10-20M check to come here, and negotiations basically go nowhere because we are still too cheap. That’s what happened with Tagoe and a few others he said. He believes that we can easily add a mega star but it will really cost us money that the gang here is not willing to spend.
by Brougham Hooligan on Aug 14, 2011 8:17 PM PDT reply actions
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