Seattle Sounders 2015 Season Thread

[SeatownJay]

The "core player" rule wasn't created for L.A. but I do believe they are rushing the implementation of it so L.A. can take advantage this Summer.

 

[Uncle Si]

I'm just busting your balls. Bored today.

Of course they are creating rules to benefit their most prominent franchise(s). But for a reason that benefits the league.

LA, Orlando, New York (and maybe Chicago) I imagine are appealing destination places for players like Pirlo, Gerrard, Villa and the others that will follow. If the league wants these players, they need to basically guarantee that they will end up in this cities. they also need to do their best to make those franchises competitive. Same way Dempsey ended up in Seattle.

The rest of the league benefits from increased interest in watching these players.

 

[knownone]

The core DP has been rumored since February, so I don't think this is MLS rushing to cater to LA. There are some rumors that Seattle is looking at Wesley Sneijder although I doubt there is any validity to it. I would be surprised if Seattle doesn't at least try to make a move during the window.

 

[Smurf]

I wouldn't be shocked if the Core DP was used similarly to how "Retention funds" came to be. i.e, we need to keep our leagues best players, AND bring in new talent, lets pay our top tier players more.

Ozzie Alonso, Omar Gonzalez, Chris Wondolowski, and Kyle Beckerman are the type of player I expect to be "Core DP's". They are players that are essential to their team, were brought up in the league, the core of what it is and where it is going.


I think the introduction of a Core DP see's all of those DP's current status change from regular DP to Core DP (which will likely also mean a huge decrease in Cap Hit).

Gio Dos Santos is a GREAT player for this league. He's exciting and putting him in LA is tremendous, for obvious reasons.

Chicharito would be a great get for MLS too. Orlando would be decent, I can also see Seattle and LA2 (in 2018) being alternate destinations. For those not in the know, majority Sounders owner Joe Roth thinks that Chicharito is the next David Beckham in terms of cultural popularity spike in US Soccer. I think Joe Roth will do just about anything to ensure that he makes it to MLS, just like he did for Clint Dempsey.


And yes, the league has history of changing its own rules on the fly to help the league grow. It is necessary at the moment, but there will come a time where such behaviors will end up being detrimental. I don't think that time is now, but its not that far off. A few more seasons where they can bend the rules (like Beckham).

 

[Smurf]

Starting to hear buzz that the Gio/Core DP announcement could come as early as today, if not, certainly by EOD Friday.

Gio is reportedly in LA right now, and there was a league conference call with all the teams FO's this morning.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Chicharito would be a great get for MLS too. Orlando would be decent, I can also see Seattle and LA2 (in 2018) being alternate destinations. For those not in the know, majority Sounders owner Joe Roth thinks that Chicharito is the next David Beckham in terms of cultural popularity spike in US Soccer. I think Joe Roth will do just about anything to ensure that he makes it to MLS, just like he did for Clint Dempsey.

If I had to guess, if Chicharito is coming to the MLS they'd want it to be with the new LA team in a couple years. That'd be a HUGE get for that new franchise trying to get off the ground.

As much as I'd love to see a guy like Chicharito in Seattle, I'd like the league to be smarter with where they put these stars.

IMO they dropped the ball on Altidore and Bradley. Those are two big US stars, they should be in US cities to maximize their drawing power. I'm sure Toronto appreciates those guys, but nowhere near as much as a US city would.

 

[Uncle Si]

The Bradley, Altidore placement was very strange to me. They'd have fit perfectly at Sporting or Chicago, for example, both soccer mad towns who would canonize USMNT stars in a heartbeat.

It is something MLS fans probably need to accept, however. Stars from the big European leagues that come here will be picking their homes. The league will be acting to place them best they can (Dempsey), but Gerrard picked LA, Pirlo will pick NY, etc. If Hernandez comes to the MLS, he will be picking his home. Whereever he goes will be massive for that franchise.

 

[Smurf]

Better play this evening.

Big 3 points vs the best team in the east.

 

[CurryStopstheRuns]

Better play this evening.

Big 3 points vs the best team in the east.

It will be interesting to see if there is a loss of more games for that thrown elbow that drew the red.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

I admit, it'd be super weird seeing Fredy in another MLS team's kit.

http://www.sounderatheart.com/sounders- ... ansfer-mls

As much as I like Montero, I hope he doesn't come back to the MLS. The MLS doesn't really suit the game of a small technical goal scorer with average speed.

 

[hawkfan68]

I admit, it'd be super weird seeing Fredy in another MLS team's kit.

http://www.sounderatheart.com/sounders- ... ansfer-mls

As much as I like Montero, I hope he doesn't come back to the MLS. The MLS doesn't really suit the game of a small technical goal scorer with average speed.

I take it that you haven't seen Montero play much. He doesn't have average speed. He's pretty quick, IMO. If signed he'd be an instant upgrade over Barrett and Neagle. He's faster than Dempsey (didn't say better, I said faster...note the difference). I believe he'd be faster and upgarde over about 80% of the Sounders current roster.

Plus Montero would add more flexibility in the different types of formations they could use. They could go 4-3-3, with Dempsey, Montero, and Martins on top. They could stay in the 4-4-2 or go 4-5-1 (which Sigi seems to favor quite a bit this season).

 

[knownone]

If Sigi can some how convince Oba, Pappa, Dempsey, and Montero to track back and defend I would love the move. I just don't see that happening, or maybe the front office intends on winning games 5-3 then f-yeah! let's get Montero.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

I admit, it'd be super weird seeing Fredy in another MLS team's kit.

http://www.sounderatheart.com/sounders- ... ansfer-mls

As much as I like Montero, I hope he doesn't come back to the MLS. The MLS doesn't really suit the game of a small technical goal scorer with average speed.

I take it that you haven't seen Montero play much. He doesn't have average speed. He's pretty quick, IMO. If signed he'd be an instant upgrade over Barrett and Neagle. He's faster than Dempsey (didn't say better, I said faster...note the difference). I believe he'd be faster and upgarde over about 80% of the Sounders current roster.

Plus Montero would add more flexibility in the different types of formations they could use. They could go 4-3-3, with Dempsey, Montero, and Martins on top. They could stay in the 4-4-2 or go 4-5-1 (which Sigi seems to favor quite a bit this season).

I saw him play in person for four years, and can't remember once where he ran away from anyone.

Montero has brilliant technical skills on the ball and one of the quickest most accurate shots I've ever seen in MLS. But no, he's not fast in the pure sense of speed. Unlike Oba who can run away from defenders, Fredy much like Clint relies on his superior footwork to create space.

Which is why I think Fredy's game is better suited for smaller technical leagues..........not the MLS where yeah he had success, but he also got thugged up by defenders.

 

[knownone]

So by your assertion if you don't have pace to beat players, you are better suited in smaller leagues?
Montero is much quicker than Dempsey and great in hold up play... Montero also excelled in Portugal which is both technical and one of the more physical leagues in Europe .

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

So by your assertion if you don't have pace to beat players, you are better suited in smaller leagues?
Montero is much quicker than Dempsey and great in hold up play... Montero also excelled in Portugal which is both technical and one of the more physical leagues in Europe .

He hasn't excelled or they'd keep him. He had a good run last season for a while but like his MLS form it dipped and he is still extremely streaky and inconsistent.

Hurtado is training with the Sounders again :| I hope it's just that, one of the worst central defenders i've saw play the game.

 

[dumbrabbit]

I admit, it'd be super weird seeing Fredy in another MLS team's kit.

http://www.sounderatheart.com/sounders- ... ansfer-mls

As much as I like Montero, I hope he doesn't come back to the MLS. The MLS doesn't really suit the game of a small technical goal scorer with average speed.

But can he get on base?

Just kidding. Sorry, but I had to say it.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

So by your assertion if you don't have pace to beat players, you are better suited in smaller leagues? .

Yes, that is what I'm saying.

Montero can have success in both leagues, as there's always room for talented players like Fredy. But which league better suits his style of play and gives him more technical finesse players around him? I'd say smaller finesse Euro, South American or Mexican leagues.

Now on the Sounders in their current state? I think Fredy would be awesome playing with the likes of Clint, Oba and Pappa. But on a mid table MLS club where he has to score 80% of the goals? I think he'd be supremely frustrated and struggle.

 

[knownone]

So by your assertion if you don't have pace to beat players, you are better suited in smaller leagues?
Montero is much quicker than Dempsey and great in hold up play... Montero also excelled in Portugal which is both technical and one of the more physical leagues in Europe .

He hasn't excelled or they'd keep him. He had a good run last season for a while but like his MLS form it dipped and he is still extremely streaky and inconsistent.

Hurtado is training with the Sounders again :| I hope it's just that, one of the worst central defenders i've saw play the game.

That's actually wrong, Montero is being shopped because he doesn't fit Jorge Jesus's system not because of a perceived lack of production from afar. As someone who follows Sporting, Montero is much more consistent now than he was here, he's still a streaky goal scorer... I'll give you that.

 

[Smurf]

So by your assertion if you don't have pace to beat players, you are better suited in smaller leagues?
Montero is much quicker than Dempsey and great in hold up play... Montero also excelled in Portugal which is both technical and one of the more physical leagues in Europe .

He hasn't excelled or they'd keep him. He had a good run last season for a while but like his MLS form it dipped and he is still extremely streaky and inconsistent.

Hurtado is training with the Sounders again :| I hope it's just that, one of the worst central defenders i've saw play the game.

That's actually wrong, Montero is being shopped because he doesn't fit Jorge Jesus's system not because of a perceived lack of production from afar. As someone who follows Sporting, Montero is much more consistent now than he was here, he's still a streaky goal scorer... I'll give you that.

This.


From what I've seen is asked to play the sole striker in a 433 system. Granted, he has learned to play with his back to goal...most of that coming from his days in MLS, but he has always been much better in a 442 system with a strike partner. That was actually the biggest issue with Montero, who do we play up top with him? Who is his partner? Personally I liked guys who could run up top. Fucito, Estrada, Johnson. Guys who stretched the defense and made that hole between the front man, and the mid field even bigger (which is where Fredy is best). We had a tendency to play big players with him though. Nate Jaqua, and Blaise Nkufo...and well Eddie Johnson. Honestly EJ was the best partner Fredy ever had....but EJ is also a bat shit insane diva...so....


Anyway...Montero is a great player. Fantastic. I love him to death. For obvious reasons he is one of my top 10 favorite players in the world, and my favorite all-time Sounder. He is a club legend and shouldn't put on a kit for another MLS club. If he comes back to the states. It's going to be in Rave Green.


Personally, if we can get him....why the hell not? He's proven hes productive in the league and with Oba and Deuce he doesnt HAVE to be the guy. Someone keeps bringing up the defending bit....well honestly, we already play 3 players who don't defend....Pappa, Neagle, Clint and Oba just don't. They take up space (which is part of the battle) but they rarely step in hard....I would argue that Fredy in his sounder's days was far more defensive a player than Clint has been, or Pappa for that matter.


I think Fredy works with this team. Especially with a change of tactics. 433. Rotating three prong attack with Oba the central high man. Run the channels. Clint and Fredy play wing positions. Not hugging the touchline, but slightly more narrow and withdrawn from Oba. Behind them you line up a 3 man midfield of Friberg, Alonso and Roldan/Pineda. 3 Players who are good passers of the ball, who can tackle, and are tactically disciplined. Friberg and Roldan will go forward on occasion, but Ozzie should hold down the center. Usual back 4 in behind them.


Obviously this brings up a few things.

1. The Pace of the team HAS to come from Martins. He has to run a bit more than he does now. It would also means that when Oba drops back, Fredy or Clint have to push higher. All 3 players like to drop into that hole to pick up the ball. They can't all do it at the same time.

2. Marco Pappa. Fredy Montero is a better player than Marco Pappa. Thats a fact. With Fredy, Marco doesn't play as much. He's a bench player. He's your late Sub. You bring him on right about the time you bring on Lamar Neagle.

3. Our backline is currently not designed to play that way. Our fullbacks like to overlap and the players we have in those roles do it well. Remick can get up the wing and Mears can send in a hell of a cross. Would need different tactics from these players, and even perhaps different types of fullbacks.




Also. There is no way this is happening. Zero. None of it. Its all nonsense. Montero isn't coming back to the states.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

So by your assertion if you don't have pace to beat players, you are better suited in smaller leagues?
Montero is much quicker than Dempsey and great in hold up play... Montero also excelled in Portugal which is both technical and one of the more physical leagues in Europe .

He hasn't excelled or they'd keep him. He had a good run last season for a while but like his MLS form it dipped and he is still extremely streaky and inconsistent.

Hurtado is training with the Sounders again :| I hope it's just that, one of the worst central defenders i've saw play the game.

That's actually wrong, Montero is being shopped because he doesn't fit Jorge Jesus's system not because of a perceived lack of production from afar. As someone who follows Sporting, Montero is much more consistent now than he was here, he's still a streaky goal scorer... I'll give you that.

My bad, I just means dipped as in being streaky with goals. If we weren't already paying Oba and Deuce a small fortune i'd be happy for him to come back. I think other parts of the team need that investment though. I feel Montero so far has done more for the Sounders than Deuce. I get it that Deuce is a big name and probably draws crowds but Montero was cheaper and not on the downswing of his career. I feel like Deuce is more concerned with the USNT than the Sounders.