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posted 07/21/10 09:40 AM | updated 07/21/10 09:40 AM
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Looks Like Freddie Ljungberg's Finished as a Sounder

By Seth Kolloen
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Freddie Ljungberg, the most famous player ever to suit up for a Seattle soccer team, likely won't wear the rave green again. With the Sounders unwilling to commit to a 2011 contract for the former Arsenal star, Ljungberg is looking elsewhere, likely to hook up with a team in Europe, where the season starts next month.

Ljungberg's signing five months before the Sounders' inaugural season gave the team instant credibility with local soccer fans. His pedigree was unmatched in local soccer history: nine years at one of the world's top club teams, a Premier League player of the year award, participant in two World Cups. Short of David Beckham, he was the most accomplished player in all of U.S. pro soccer.

During season one Ljungberg's reported $2.5M contact appeared to be worth the investment. He made the MLS "Best XI," confounded opposing defenders with his skill, speed, and strength, and helped the Sounders to the best expansion season of any Seattle franchise.

Season two started off poorly, with Ljungberg skipping preseason training and pissing off teammate Kasey Keller. Didn't get better once the games started. The Sounders have flopped, as key players like midfielder Osvaldo Alonso, defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and striker Nate Jaqua have missed most of the season with injuries. Ljungberg's presence hasn't done anything to make up for their loss. If anything, his presence through the Sounders' slow start suggests that he may have been less valuable than his far-less-heralded teammates.

Normally an offensive center midfielder, Ljungberg played a few games at forward this year as coach Sigi Schmid tried to squeeze more offense out of the team. Didn't work. Ljungberg will finish with as many goals this season as Ken Griffey Jr. had home runs. (Zippo.)

Taken as a whole, the Ljungberg signing was a success. His fame was a key ingredient of the hype soup that turned Seattle on to the Sounders. The franchise may never get a player of his caliber again.

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F.L>
Good riddance. He looks like a member of the Lollipop Guild any way.
Comment by kraftownzrevs
2 days ago
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RE>Disagree
Don't be Euro-struck? 3 out 4 teams in the World Cup in 2010 were from Europe, in 2006 all 4 came from Europe which could be an indication of the strength of the players over there.
Comment by Jay
1 day ago
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Disagree
Seattle is cool and I think they could land another designated player of equal or better status.
Comment by Cam
1 day ago
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WOW
Is this a blog website or an actual publication? If it's the latter, then this is extremely unprofessional and poorly written. Sorry, but if you want to be a credible writer you need shape up buddy.
Comment by Clayton John
1 day ago
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Disagree
Seattle will have plenty of players of his caliber. Don't be Euro-struck. First of all Keller is still on the team. Second, even if you assume the next generations of Zakuanis won't get there (Big assumption by the way), they have a lot of money to buy someone.
Comment by Charles
1 day ago
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hmmmm
i agree this was written rather unprofessionally.

but more importantly, like the others said...don't be Euro-struck. "...may never get a player of his caliber again."...? That makes no sense forever. Assuming that the league, as well as academies/home-grown talent continue to grow steadily...the chance of that is far more likely than you many think.
Comment by hmm
18 hours ago
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