Slowly catching up a bit from long UW hoops road trip with vacation mixed in.
Came across this interesting look at Sounders offseason from MLSnet.com.
Thoughts?
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Slowly catching up a bit from long UW hoops road trip with vacation mixed in.
Came across this interesting look at Sounders offseason from MLSnet.com.
Thoughts?
I thought it was interesting they singled out Roger and Ianni. I don’t see Rog being a regular starter in league play, but he’ll certainly see more time in CONCACAF and Open Cup.
Ianni grew on me as the season went on, particularly in the playoff match. But he’s got to shake those weird early season mistakes. Failing to mark top strikers in the box is just unacceptable for a professional. On the other hand, Marshall is getting up there in age so he’ll need plenty of rest.
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Can’t see the Dread Pirate Roger as a starter but he sure proved himself useful coming on later in matches.
Zakuani should spend the off-season in the weight room.
And Ianni should spend the time doing Sudokus, Rubiks cubes, the Mensa test — whatever — just so long as it stimulates the gray matter a little bit, gets the elevator going all the way to the top floor, if you know what I mean.
Would love to acquire a poacher type — somebody like a Pippo Inzaghi who will pop up and put those half-chances away.
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Given that this is the off-season, haven’t really been paying much attention to US soccer (EPL sure, but US no). But this article is interesting, and had some good points.
1) “However, Zakuani still needs to mind his defensive duties and learn to quickly pass out of double teams.”
Could not agree with this statement more – these are the two key things Zak MUST work on if he hope to raise his game to another level.
2) “Seattle needs a find another scorer, preferably one who can turn crosses into goals with consistency.”
Very true. For all of his 6’4″ height, Jacqua is not a good header of the ball. Defender Taylor Graham is a very good and powerful header. If he can recover from all of his injuries and get in the starting mix, he will contribute several goals off of corners. Team still needs to find a quality player with heading skills for crosses during the run of play – Zak, Ljung Montero – none of them fit this bill.
3) “Stephen King could also earn a place. As the club’s only true attacking midfielder . . .”
I found this to be an interesting comment. Did see King in a couple of open cup matches I went to, and he seemed decent. Don’t really recall him getting significant PT during many MLS matches. From what I saw in the cup, he may still be having problems adjusting to the faster speed of MLS matches. May not be processing and reacting fast enough – a little too tenative in his decision making.
4) “With Seattle’s right midfield spot in flux, Levesque could build on his late-season performances to push for a starting role in 2010..’
Notice the article said right midfield. Ljungberg had been playing there initially, before drifting up top as the season progressed (as Sigi went to Jacqua, Montero, and Ljung rotating between the two striker spots and right mid with a during-the-game-switch-off). Roger served as a late game sub for one of those three – coming in to the right mid spot. Don’t see Roger in a starting right mid at all – EVEN IF the starting two striker spots are resolved and the role of Ljungberg is solidified to a particular slot (2nd striker, Off Mid, etc). Love Roger and he is a great sub and reserve, but not a regular starter.
5) “Seattle needs a find another scorer, preferably one who can turn crosses into goals with consistency. Finding a quick, potent striker to support Montero and Freddie Ljungberg tops Seattle’s personnel wishes for the offseason.’
While it would be great to find both traits in the same player, that is a rarity. Many strikers are either quick (like Montero, Anelka, or F. Torres) or powerful (like McBride, Rooney, or Toni). Someone like Drogba is the rare breed that has both skills – not that he is ever coming to Seattle. With Zak on the wings, if he can continue to improve, can provide the added pace from the outside in my opinion. Think Seattle needs the powerful type, who can turn crosses into goals with superior heading, as opposed to another quick striker.
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I’m still bummed about Le Toux … Who is going to come in and add that spark of energy when Ljungberg is out? King?
If DY’s rumors are, that a killer F is coming via Winter transfer, then the rest of the off-season moves should pivot around that. I want a F with an insatiable appetite for goals who attacks mercilessly … Models are Messi, Anelka, Sturrige, Drogba, Cristano Ronaldo, Torres, Rooney ….
I also think Henry would be a fantasic playmaking F in tight spaces and off the ball ….
Is that so much to ask?
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It seems pretty well settled that Henry is coming to the MLS after the WC break. Probably to the New Jersey Energy Drinks unfortunately. Still hoping he comes for a visit to his old pal Freddie and falls in love with Seattle since his motivation seems to be based on where he wants to live. Might not be like the Arsenal days of old, but man it’d be fun to watch.
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