In addition to the phone conversation with Adam Johansson today (post below) we also got some time with Sounders technical director Chris Henderson. That began with information on the newest Sounders, but also included a pretty good overview of the club’s off-season: what has been accomplished and what remains on the to-do list.

Highlights:

Background on Johansson) The first time I saw him play live was at the end of ’09. We were looking at other players off of that club. And so we’ve kind of followed him along. And know that his contract and that he was going to become free, we just followed him. To have a guy who was the captain of his team become available, and he’s at a good age coming into the prime of his career, he’s a player that we followed and when we take trips to Sweden that was one of the teams that we would watch, whether it was focusing on that team or whether they were player a team where we were looking at players.

Johansson scouting report) He’s a player who’s tactically very smart. He’s versatile. He’s a leader in the back. He has a good engine. Crosses well. His timing of overlaps, his timing of deep crosses in the box is good. He’s a solid player who tackles well and competes well every time he plays.

Remaining off-season priorities) We’re working on things. As you guys know, Read more »

The Sounders set up a conference call today with new defender Adam Johansson. I think he made a pretty good first impression with the media.

Here’s what he had to say:

When you were considering this offer, were you thinking about wanting to play in MLS or specifically for the Sounders?
AJ: “I would say both, because from what I saw when I was in Seattle, it was a very big club with a big audience. Also it’s a big step for me just coming to the United States. It’s a long way from home and it’s going …

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This just in from the club:

Seattle Sounders FC have signed Swedish international defender Adam Johansson to a multi-year contract, it was announced today. Johansson’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 visa and International Clearance. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Johansson, 28, has played the past seven years for IFK Göteborg in Sweden’s top league, the Allvenskan. He has made a total of 129 league appearances for Göteborg since 2005, scoring two goals. His pro career began with Västra Frölunda of the second tier in 2002.

“Adam has been a mainstay at Göteborg for years and we are very happy to add him to our defense,” said Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson. “His leadership and experience are going to be a great compliment to the growth of our team.

“Adam is very good tactically and is smart in the way he joins the attack from the back,” added Henderson. “We are pleased he is also in the running for the starting right back role for Sweden as they prepare for the Euros.”

“I had a great stay in Seattle while meeting with officials from the club, and seeing the stadium and training ground,” said Johansson. “I got a really good feeling. It will be a new start for me, a new life. It’s going to be a good adventure.”

“The Sounders are one of the biggest teams in the United States,” added Johansson. “They want to be one of the top clubs in North and South America and have big crowds. I’m joining a club with a very good reputation.”

In 2009 Johansson made his full international debut for Sweden in a friendly with the U.S. at Carson, Calif. and later started in three World Cup qualifiers, playing on both the left and right side. His ninth and most recent cap came against Cyprus in February 2011.

After finishing runners-up in 2005, Göteborg claimed the Swedish double in 2007, and also claimed the cup in 2008 and 2009. The Angels were second in the league in 2009.

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The MLSsoccer.com website is counting down the most important league stories of 2011. Coming in at No. 3 today were the serious injuries suffered by some of the league’s stars, including the one that never should have happened to Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani.

Here’s a highlight from the report:

And in the Pacific Northwest, Steve Zakuani, in his sophomore campaign in 2010, lit up the left side of the field for the Seattle Sounders. Ranked No. 4 in MLSsoccer.com’s 24 Under 24 of 2010, the Congolese winger scored 10 goals – roughly 25 percent of the team’s total of 39 – and added six assists that year. 2011 was supposed to be his time to shine.

But as it turned out, 2011 was the year without the playmaker.

On April 22, in his seventh match of 2011, Zakuani became the first major casualty Read more »

Goody guy and good player, who never quite found a role in Toronto.

Here’s the report from MLSsoccer.com.

Here is the (occasionally awkward) translation of a bold.dk web report midfielder/right back Christian Sivebaek will join Sounders FC for the coming season:

confirms that he leaves in January to FC for Seattle Sounders in the U.S. Major League Soccer.
23-year-old Christian Sivebæk was originally moved up from academy to first team of FC as a winger, but later tried to retrain the former U21 national team right back with mixed success.

Playing time is not been to much of the last time with the wolves, who, after a meeting with the player gave the green light to

…

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Here’s one little news report sure to draw a smile on a day dedicated to joy.

Happy holidays to all of you.

This just in from the club:

The Seattle Sounders Women have named Amy Carnell as the team’s general manager, it was announced today.

Carnell, the Sounders FC Director of Youth Programs since 2008, has helped build the largest youth camp system in Major League Soccer with over 6,000 campers in 2011.

“We are extremely excited to have Amy as our new general manager,” said Lane Smith, owner of the Sounders Women. “Amy represents a perfect match of both business skills and a true ambassador of women’s soccer. Her great success and continued role as Sounders FC Director of Youth Programs speaks to her business acumen.”

An All-American and Southern Conference Player of the Year at UNC-Greensboro, Carnell played for the Sounders Women from 2002-06.

“I’ve been fortunate to work for a first class organization that continues to set the bar for Soccer in America,” said Carnell. “To walk the halls with Adrian Hanauer and the brilliant staff who make up Sounders FC is a truly unique experience. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring that same passion and excellence to the women’s game.”
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