Smurf wrote:

hawkfan68 wrote:I like most of the moves the Sounders are making. Rosales for Bowen is one I'm not sold on. Kenny Cooper and Chad Marshall are good gets in trade. Cooper played for Portland a couple of years back and was the type of player that Nate Jaqua had the potential to be. A tall, strong forward. I believe he's aggressive too. Something Jaqua never was. Is Traore still on the books? He and Marshall will make a solid center defense.

Traore is still on the books...


And Cooper plays nothing like his size would dictate....He plays more like a crappy Niklas Bendtner than anything.

saying "crappy Niklas Bendtner" indicates there is a non-crappy Niklas Bendtner, which we know does not exist.

Cooper is an awful signing. He is the type of player the league should be avoiding at this point.

Aaron Levine ‏@AaronQ13Fox 9m
The @SoundersFC re-sign defender Leo Gonzalez.

KitsapGuy wrote:Aaron Levine ‏@AaronQ13Fox 9m
The @SoundersFC re-sign defender Leo Gonzalez.

1.03 Goals Against Average when Leo plays.


2.00 Goals Against Average when he doesnt.


Glad he's back.

Reports are coming in that EJ has been traded to DC United for a boatload of allocation money.

This is looking more and more like a complete rebuild.

knownone wrote:This is looking more and more like a complete rebuild.

This is a Salary cap forced rebuild.


Something had to give...and it has thus far. I think this was the last major exit we will see. From here on out we should see a few players added, maybe a big one or two..and then another moderate/average player or 3.

Smurf wrote:

knownone wrote:This is looking more and more like a complete rebuild.

This is a Salary cap forced rebuild.


Something had to give...and it has thus far. I think this was the last major exit we will see. From here on out we should see a few players added, maybe a big one or two..and then another moderate/average player or 3.

so Kenny Cooper for EJ?

I've lost interest in the MLS (again)

Uncle Si wrote:

Smurf wrote:

knownone wrote:This is looking more and more like a complete rebuild.

This is a Salary cap forced rebuild.


Something had to give...and it has thus far. I think this was the last major exit we will see. From here on out we should see a few players added, maybe a big one or two..and then another moderate/average player or 3.

so Kenny Cooper for EJ?

I've lost interest in the MLS (again)

I can't tell you how happy that trade makes me.

Uncle Si wrote:
so Kenny Cooper for EJ?

I've lost interest in the MLS (again)

You're looking at it wrong....its not Cooper for EJ.

Its EJ and Mauro for Cooper, Bowen, #2 in allocation order and somewhere north of $700k in allocation money.


We have the pieces to bring in some good players with that.

with that much allocation money we can get a player like Alvaro Fernandez, or Christian Tiffert. Or a Mario Martinez. Buy a Herculez Gomez. We could pay for a player like Valeri, or Chara. We could use that money to buy down Alonso's contract below DP status.

We have the ability to bring in some good players.


We are far from done adding players.

H. Gomez would be nice....does Sporting KC still own rights to him?

Smurf wrote:

Uncle Si wrote:
so Kenny Cooper for EJ?

I've lost interest in the MLS (again)

You're looking at it wrong....its not Cooper for EJ.

Its EJ and Mauro for Cooper, Bowen, #2 in allocation order and somewhere north of $700k in allocation money.


We have the pieces to bring in some good players with that.

with that much allocation money we can get a player like Alvaro Fernandez, or Christian Tiffert. Or a Mario Martinez. Buy a Herculez Gomez. We could pay for a player like Valeri, or Chara. We could use that money to buy down Alonso's contract below DP status.

We have the ability to bring in some good players.


We are far from done adding players.

As of this moment the sounders have a retread striker, a relatively unknown mid/defender and opportunity.... At a loss of a quality technical player and a usmnt striker... Am I looking at this wrong?

You give guesses...until those players are in its a massive digression

Sounders select ST Chad Barrett (New England) and ST Corey Hertzog (Vancouver) in Stage-2 of the Re-Entry draft.

Seattle is collecting depth up front.

Uncle Si wrote:

Smurf wrote:

Uncle Si wrote:
so Kenny Cooper for EJ?

I've lost interest in the MLS (again)

You're looking at it wrong....its not Cooper for EJ.

Its EJ and Mauro for Cooper, Bowen, #2 in allocation order and somewhere north of $700k in allocation money.


We have the pieces to bring in some good players with that.

with that much allocation money we can get a player like Alvaro Fernandez, or Christian Tiffert. Or a Mario Martinez. Buy a Herculez Gomez. We could pay for a player like Valeri, or Chara. We could use that money to buy down Alonso's contract below DP status.

We have the ability to bring in some good players.


We are far from done adding players.

As of this moment the sounders have a retread striker, a relatively unknown mid/defender and opportunity.... At a loss of a quality technical player and a usmnt striker... Am I looking at this wrong?

You give guesses...until those players are in its a massive digression

The drop off from Cooper to EJ is a small one especially in MLS. AH made it clear that the sounders are far from finished. I'd expect us to move either ianni or hurtado maybe both and pick up a talented hopefully young WAM to fill our need for creativity.

Max allocation is worth more than EJ.

knownone wrote:

Uncle Si wrote:

Smurf wrote:

Uncle Si wrote:
so Kenny Cooper for EJ?

I've lost interest in the MLS (again)

You're looking at it wrong....its not Cooper for EJ.

Its EJ and Mauro for Cooper, Bowen, #2 in allocation order and somewhere north of $700k in allocation money.


We have the pieces to bring in some good players with that.

with that much allocation money we can get a player like Alvaro Fernandez, or Christian Tiffert. Or a Mario Martinez. Buy a Herculez Gomez. We could pay for a player like Valeri, or Chara. We could use that money to buy down Alonso's contract below DP status.

We have the ability to bring in some good players.


We are far from done adding players.

As of this moment the sounders have a retread striker, a relatively unknown mid/defender and opportunity.... At a loss of a quality technical player and a usmnt striker... Am I looking at this wrong?

You give guesses...until those players are in its a massive digression

The drop off from Cooper to EJ is a small one especially in MLS. AH made it clear that the sounders are far from finished. I'd expect us to move either ianni or hurtado maybe both and pick up a talented hopefully young WAM to fill our need for creativity.

Max allocation is worth more than EJ.

If you seriously think Kenny is a small dropoff from EJ, I've got waterfront property in Arizona to sell you.

We will be able to have Cooper, Barrett, Hertzog and Bowen for the cost it would have taken to Keep EJ.



That said EJ is WAAAAAY better than Cooper...who is the best of that bunch mentioned above.

Any chance they spend the money on getting some new defenders so we never have to see Ianni, Hurtado, or Scott on the field in a Sounders uniform again?

SeatownJay wrote:Any chance they spend the money on getting some new defenders so we never have to see Ianni, Hurtado, or Scott on the field in a Sounders uniform again?

We already got Chad Marshall.

Expect more from Dylan Remick next year.

Minimal more signings along the backline I think.

In the last 2 seasons, EJ-26 goals cooper-24.
EJ may be the more talented, more dynamic player but in this league the drop off between the two isn't huge.
Look at Wondo he's not in EJs class yet he's had way more production.

knownone wrote:In the last 2 seasons, EJ-26 goals cooper-24.
EJ may be the more talented, more dynamic player but in this league the drop off between the two isn't huge.
Look at Wondo he's not in EJs class yet he's had way more production.

2 less goals in 16 less appearances...

Just saying.

Cooper is hot and cold. He had 6 goals last year....18 before that. With EJ there is consistency...thats what most fans loved about EJ. He was consistently EJ. Its why people disliked Montero for large stretches...he was such a streaky striker....Cooper is just that. Hot for a bit, then cold. Consistency and on the ball skill is why he's not a national team player and why's only ever had 10 appearances for the nats team. I'm not sold on Cooper as a starting 11 player for this team. A role player...perhaps. But he is not a player I want in my 11 week in and week out.

Smurf wrote:

knownone wrote:In the last 2 seasons, EJ-26 goals cooper-24.
EJ may be the more talented, more dynamic player but in this league the drop off between the two isn't huge.
Look at Wondo he's not in EJs class yet he's had way more production.

2 less goals in 16 less appearances...

Just saying.

Cooper is hot and cold. He had 6 goals last year....18 before that. With EJ there is consistency...thats what most fans loved about EJ. He was consistently EJ. Its why people disliked Montero for large stretches...he was such a streaky striker....Cooper is just that. Hot for a bit, then cold. Consistency and on the ball skill is why he's not a national team player and why's only ever had 10 appearances for the nats team. I'm not sold on Cooper as a starting 11 player for this team. A role player...perhaps. But he is not a player I want in my 11 week in and week out.

its not just that.. Montero and EJ are dynamic players (Montero far moreso) who bring more than just goals to the team. Montero's development in Portugal has been amazing to watch. But both can occupy defenders, make runs into space, distribute from hold up play, etc.

Cooper is your typical pre-Klinsmann American striker. Back to goal, stands there alone, tries to control and turn. He was the opt out when Altidore couldnt figure it out. He offers nothing in terms of distribution. He doesnt run behind the defenders to open up space for other players. He is limited in what he can offer, and therefore limits the team around him in terms of system and philosophy of play.

If you're down a goal and want to bang in long balls to dirty into an equalizer... on comes Cooper. If you want to play an appealing, pass and move system with Dempsey moving around underneath Copper is more of centerback for the opposing team than a partner for Clint.

I dont know what the allocation money brings in.. until the Sounders invest that in some dynamic players (now they need atleast a winger and another striker) then this move just sucks.

Sarlacc83 wrote:If you seriously think Kenny is a small dropoff from EJ, I've got waterfront property in Arizona to sell you.

Pssst, you're doing it wrong, there's actually lots of waterfront property in Arizona.

Chapow wrote:

Sarlacc83 wrote:If you seriously think Kenny is a small dropoff from EJ, I've got waterfront property in Arizona to sell you.

Pssst, you're doing it wrong, there's actually lots of waterfront property in Arizona.

*whispers* I know. It doesn't work if the ruse is obvious.

Smurf wrote:

knownone wrote:In the last 2 seasons, EJ-26 goals cooper-24.
EJ may be the more talented, more dynamic player but in this league the drop off between the two isn't huge.
Look at Wondo he's not in EJs class yet he's had way more production.

2 less goals in 16 less appearances...

Just saying.

Cooper is hot and cold. He had 6 goals last year....18 before that. With EJ there is consistency...thats what most fans loved about EJ. He was consistently EJ. Its why people disliked Montero for large stretches...he was such a streaky striker....Cooper is just that. Hot for a bit, then cold. Consistency and on the ball skill is why he's not a national team player and why's only ever had 10 appearances for the nats team. I'm not sold on Cooper as a starting 11 player for this team. A role player...perhaps. But he is not a player I want in my 11 week in and week out.

I disagree about consistency. Dallas miscast Cooper playing him primarily out wide and he struggled. EJ was on a better team and got a majority of his goals off great service. How many goals does he have without Mauro?
Sigi wants a #9 who can stay high and receive the ball at his feet and maintain possession, that's exactly what Cooper did with New York where he scored 18 goals. He's capable of playing every position up top so he can easily combine and interchange with Oba and Deuce. Who do you think would be a better fit in the Diamond?

knownone wrote:

Smurf wrote:

knownone wrote:In the last 2 seasons, EJ-26 goals cooper-24.
EJ may be the more talented, more dynamic player but in this league the drop off between the two isn't huge.
Look at Wondo he's not in EJs class yet he's had way more production.

2 less goals in 16 less appearances...

Just saying.

Cooper is hot and cold. He had 6 goals last year....18 before that. With EJ there is consistency...thats what most fans loved about EJ. He was consistently EJ. Its why people disliked Montero for large stretches...he was such a streaky striker....Cooper is just that. Hot for a bit, then cold. Consistency and on the ball skill is why he's not a national team player and why's only ever had 10 appearances for the nats team. I'm not sold on Cooper as a starting 11 player for this team. A role player...perhaps. But he is not a player I want in my 11 week in and week out.

I disagree about consistency. Dallas miscast Cooper playing him primarily out wide and he struggled. EJ was on a better team and got a majority of his goals off great service. How many goals does he have without Mauro?
Sigi wants a #9 who can stay high and receive the ball at his feet and maintain possession, that's exactly what Cooper did with New York where he scored 18 goals. He's capable of playing every position up top so he can easily combine and interchange with Oba and Deuce. Who do you think would be a better fit in the Diamond?

18 goals with Tierry Henry collapsing defenses around him....

Cooper is not an interchangeable player (most true #9s arent). He is not going to slide down into the CAM role and recieve, take on defenders and distribute (I mean he may "do it" but it wont be effective) its fine to think that Cooper isnt a major downgrade from EJ. Its debatable (I just disagree).

However you shake it, you now have paired a +30 year old CAM/Winger with a 29 year old back to goal striker and have done nothing to add speed to the wings.

if Sigi does want to play a hybrid 433 (whether a 4231/4213 or 4411) Cooper offers little in moving defenses.

Dempsey is going on Loan to Fulham for January and February.

This will help the sounders cap situation as Fulham will pay his wages during that span.

Rumors have surfaced again that Oba Martins is on his way to Turkey to join Rizespor. I doubt it, but its a rumor thats out there....

I heard there is a big friendly this year. Is it Bayern they are playing?

Glasgow Seahawk wrote:I heard there is a big friendly this year. Is it Bayern they are playing?

Thats who the MLS all-stars are playing.


No word if the Sounders will have a friendly, and if so who we will play.

Reports have come forward that the transfer fee for Oba Martins will be paid in the coming days....

Smurf wrote:Reports have come forward that the transfer fee for Oba Martins will be paid in the coming days....

Really disappointing if so. I didn't mind EJ leaving if Oba was staying. Losing both sucks though and we dont really have a proven quality striker now. Neagle can chip in with a few though.

I wonder if the Sounders are considering making a push for Didier Drogba. They have good amount of money now. Drogba did say that he would consider coming to the MLS. If Oba leaves, could be a possibility. I believe Drogba is playing for Galatasaray. Could the Sounders buy his contract from them? Do they have enough money for that?

Looks like the Oba to Rizespor deal has fallen through. Oba only wanted an 8 game loan, Rizespor wanted a full transfer.....its reported they also couldn't pay the transfer fee we required.

I don't think there was ever anything to the Oba/turkey rumors.

West Ham on the other hand... Looks like a forgone conclusion.

knownone wrote:I don't think there was ever anything to the Oba/turkey rumors.

West Ham on the other hand... Looks like a forgone conclusion.

Yeah, West Ham I always thought was more likely if it was a loan situation...but when it looked like a sale I thought there was something too the Turkey rumor.

Mario Martinez tweeted today that today has come one step closer to returning to Seattle.

Erik Friberg will be in Seattle over the weekend. Not sure if just visiting former teammates or if this is a trip about his future.

I have no idea what to make of the upcoming season.

After the playoffs, I finally joined the Sigi out camp, and wanted EJ to stay. That said, I completely understand why it went the opposite way, and have enough faith in Hanaeur that it will be the right move.

I'm still not sure what to make of the back line, but the home stretch of last season did not inspire any confidence.

Sounders have reportedly offered HomeGrown Player contracts to Academy players: FWD Sean Okoli, FWD Darwin Jones and Def/Mid Aaron Kovar.

Lamar Neagle was re-signed today.

Marcus Hahnemann has been re-signed.

Sounders also signed HomeGrown Players Aaron Kovar and Sean Okoli.

Rumor: In a cap space move it looks like the Sounders are sending Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni to Chicago for Right Back Jalil Anibaba. Hurtado and Ianni make $340,000 between the two of them.


It is also rumored that the Sounders are signing Mid Fielder, and former Chicago Fire man Marco Pappa.

Sounders ink Tristen Bowen to a deal: http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles ... Bowen.aspx

CurryStopstheRuns wrote:Sounders ink Tristen Bowen to a deal: http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles ... Bowen.aspx

Chad Barrett also officially a sounder.

Official:

Sounders trade CB's Patrick Ianni and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado along with their 13th selection in the Superdraft for RB/CB Janil Anibaba, The 8th selection in the Superdraft and a conditional pick.


Great trade.

Any trade that removes those two liabilities from the pitch for Seattle is going to get a thumbs up from me.

Anibaba is a natural CB from what I read so I am looking forward to watching if our two young defenders at CB and RB can create a dynamic force that we have been missing.

SeatownJay wrote:Any trade that removes those two liabilities from the pitch for Seattle is going to get a thumbs up from me.

I knew you'd be happy with the move Jay!

lol


Seems like a good move to me.

Anibaba pairs better with Marshall than the others we have. We now have a quick, physical, athletic CB who can pair with our two more tenured field veteran type players (Marshall and Traore).

Also saves cap room so we can go get a Mario Martinez, a Marco Pappa, a Steffan Haggen....or maybe all three (I would be in dream land).

MN soccer star (and former Mn Thunder Academy player, and opponent of yours truly's team on several occassions) Eric Miller drafted #5 by Montreal

Love the Hurtado trade! Has Traore been released yet?

Seattle took two CB's today in Damion Lowe and Jimmy Ockford.