MLS has seen an unprecedented influx of big name and high skill players during the summer
transfer window. In case you missed a few:
F Thierry Henry NYRB (France), D/M Rafael Marquez NYRB (Mexico), M Bronko Boskovic DCU
(Montenegro), F Mista Toronto (Spain), F Blaise Nkufo Seattle (Switzerland), M Alvaro Fernandez
Seattle (Uruguay), F Giancarlo Maldonado Chivas USA (Venezuela), F Nery Castillo Chicago (Mexico),
M Freddie Ljungberg Traded from Seattle to Chicago (Sweden), Milton Rodriguez Dallas
(Colombia).
While supporters of Seattle Sounders FC await official word of Freddie Ljungberg's departure, there
is word that the team has signed a new player. Reports out of South America this morning have
indicated that Uruguayan international Alvaro Fernandez is on his way to the Western Conference
club to finalize his contract.
Alvaro Fernandez joins Seattle after a solid World Cup run with Uruguay. (Getty Images)
We talked a week or so back about this move and how much it makes sense, now its official.The
Seattle Sounders FC have announced the signing of their third Designated Player, midfielder Alvaro
Fernandez, who played for Uruguay in the recent World Cup in South Africa.
Alvaro Fernandez joins Seattle after a solid World Cup run with Uruguay. (Getty Images)
We talked a week or so back about this move and how much it makes sense, now its official.The
Seattle Sounders FC have announced the signing of their third Designated Player, midfielder Alvaro
Fernandez, who played for Uruguay in the recent World Cup in South Africa.
Lately the Sounders have been using a kind of 4-2-3-1. It is similar to the Arrow that we used
to note around here, and has primarily been the way that the Sounders have dealt with the loss of
Brad Evans to injury. Nathan Sturgis doesn't play forward as much as Evans, but he also doesn't get
back as much as Alonso.
Editor's Note: MFUSA is happy to present the first edition of a weekly column from Center Line
Soccer's Robert Jonas.
by Robert Jonas
As MLS stocked up on a new batch of Designated Players in the summer signing window, it was clear
that these big-money earners fell into three categories.
Alvaro Fernandez against Ghana at the World Cup. (Getty Images)
Boy this would be a big coup for Major League Soccer and for the Seattle Sounders FC. World
Soccer Reader (great site BTW) is reporting that Uruguay international Alvaro Fernandez is headed
to Seattle.
He's only 24-years old and he saw some playing time in the World Cup as Uruguay placed 4th in
the tournament.
Though it remains an open question as to how long, the Seattle Sounders now have three designated
players. As rumors continue to swirl around the future of Freddie Ljungberg, Uruguayan National
Team midfielder Alvaro Fernandez has joined the club. The 24-year-old veteran of the 2010 World Cup
was most recently on loan from Nacional with Universidad of Chile.
More photos » Cameron Spencer - Getty Images
See, proof that Alvaro Fernandez (that's him in the back) was indeed on the Uruguayan World Cup
team.
Browse more photos »
A lot of these issues have been addressed in comments, but figured it would be worthwhile to get
as many answers in one place as possible.
Union
MLSsoccer.com has given mid-season grades for the Union, rightly concluding they have looked
better than their record shows. Top grades (A-) to the forwards, lowest (C+) to the midfield, with
two B-'s to round things out. Just to be fair, I would give the fans and the new stadium an A+. How
would you grade the season so far?
One of the notable things from Jeremiah's post earlier today is that the Sounders are likely to
trade or waive a player soon. In light of that let's look at how the current depth chart looks, and
then we'll look at how an ideal First Team and Second Team could be run out in League play at full
health.
Major League Soccer saw two more teams advance to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions
League after Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders both registered vital draws to win their
respective play-in series.
Toronto FC posted a 2-2 draw against Honduran club CD Motagua. Former TFC midfielder Amado
Guevara scored twice for Motagua, but Chad Barrett's equalizer gave Toronto the 3-2 series win on
aggregate.
Sounders vs. Dynamo
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This lineup may come as a bit of a disappointment to some of you, but we try to be accurate
above all else here at Sounder at Heart.
Despite being a little thin at the striker position, the LA Galaxy dealt Alan Gordon to Chivas
USA, which may seem a little odd... for the moment.
We now know that Galaxy coach Bruce Arena made the move in order to clear some cap space on the
roster for a new potential signing.
"We want to be prepared if we're going to make any additional moves this year to be able to do
it," Arena said yesterday.
By JOSE M. ROMERO
So much came out of Sounders FC's 2-1 come-from-behind win over the
Chicago Fire Saturday night. Let's start with the obvious.
- Seattle now has a seven-match unbeaten streak in MLS play.
Alvaro Fernandez could become the best player in Major League Soccer. No, I'm not exaggerating
or using hyperbole for the sake of hyperbole.
That's Kevin McCauley in World Soccer Reader. This little nugget is stuck all the way in final
paragraph, but he certainly thinks highly of the man we fully expect to eventually join the
Sounders.
Alvaro Fernandez could become the best player in Major League Soccer. No, I'm not exaggerating
or using hyperbole for the sake of hyperbole.
That's Kevin McCauley in World Soccer Reader. This little nugget is stuck all the way in final
paragraph, but he certainly thinks highly of the man we fully expect to eventually join the
Sounders.
More photos » Otto Greule Jr - Getty Images
SEATTLE - MAY 22: Freddie Ljungberg #10 of the Seattle Sounders FC throws the ball in
frustration after the Sounders failed to score against the San Jose Earthquakes on May 22, 2010 at
Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington.
"Who dares question the 5 Year Plan?"
KANSAS CITY (12th) VS. TORONTO FC (8th)
CommunityAmerica Ballpark - Saturday 8:30PM ET
TV: SPORTSNET ONTARIO & PACIFIC ----RADIO: THE FAN 590
In the midst of Champions League/ All Star Game madness it's down the "Yellow Prek Road" as TFC
land in the Midwest to tackle KFC.
While you wait for Thierry Henry to make his MLS league debut against Houston Dynamo tomorrow
night, take a moment to read the excellent article on mlssoccer.com about how the Red Bulls went
about recruiting TH14. It's a fascinating look inside the transfer negotiations and confirms once
again (if any of you needed further convincing) that Red Bull GmbH is fully committed to turning
RBNY into the league's gold standard.
Editor's Note: MFUSA writer Vlad Bouchouev attended the Red Bulls unveiling of new signing Rafa
Marquez today at Red Bull Arena.by Vlad BouchouevWhat a fantastic few weeks it has been for MLS. It hasn't been the most active transfer market
around the world but it certainly has been frantic by MLS standards.
Adrian Hanauer brought in some talent during the secondary transfer window. Blaise Nkufo and
Alvaro Fernandez are already changing how the Sounders operate on the pitch. At the same time, as
we've discussed a few times, the Sounders returned a few players to health (Osvaldo Alonso, Nate
Jaqua), dealt one away (Freddie Ljungberg) and benched another (Tyrone Marshall).
More photos » Otto Greule Jr - Getty Images
The Sounders' signing of Alvaro Fernandez was probably the last big move the team will make this
season.
Browse more photos »
The summer transfer window closed today.
The final match of the first round of CONCACAF Champions League play gives MLS a shot at going a
perfect 4-0 in the first week. The Seattle Sounders have made the long journey to Honduras, where
they'll face CD Marathon (10 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel).
Seattle will be a bit short handed, particularly in the midfield as Steve Zakuani, Sanna Nyassi,
Brad Evans, Pete Vagenas and Pat Noonan didn't make the trip according to the Seattle Times.
By JOSE M. ROMERO
So much came out of the Seattle Sounders' 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Chicago Fire
Saturday night. Let's start with the obvious.
First, Seattle now has a seven-match unbeaten streak in MLS play.
Bob Levey - Getty Images
John Legend scores for the Sounders
View full size photo »
As the result didn't matter, much, now there is nothing but the waiting.
Victor Decolongon - Getty Images
As the season started with set-play failures, so it ends.
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I'm probably going to look at both legs, because this game was really the second half of a 180
minute match.
The Sounders may or may not have already come to an agreement with Uruguayan national team
player Alvaro Fernandez and I'm of the mind that their official statement does nothing to dampen
that speculation:
"The club is continuing to look at all options to improve the squad during the transfer
window.
The list of Designated Players grew by one more in MLS Thursday, as the Seattle Sounders
announced the signing of Uruguay World Cup veteran Alvaro Fernandez.
A 24-year-old midfielder, Fernandez joins Seattle after last playing for Universidad de Chile in
Chile's Primera Division.
The Fire officially introduced Nery Castillo today and unveiled the new #10 jersey that Castillo
will wear. Castillo will presumably play in his preferred withdrawn forward role behind either
Brian McBride or Collins John. Both players should benefit greatly from playing with an individual
that can create opportunities for himself as well as teammates.
The list of Designated Players grew by one more in MLS Thursday, as the Seattle Sounders
announced the signing of Uruguay World Cup veteran Alvaro Fernandez.
A 24-year-old midfielder, Fernandez joins Seattle after last playing for Universidad de Chile in
Chile's Primera Division.
The Fire added a second designated player by acquiring midfielder Freddie Ljungberg in a trade
with Seattle. The Sounders will receive a 2011 or 2012 conditional draft pick in exchange for the
former Arsenal star. Ljungberg has had a rocky second season in Seattle after showing up late for
training camp, getting called out by Kasey Keller, clashing with coach Sigi Schmid, engaging in a
verbal battle with Peter Nowak, whining about referees, and then removing himself from Sounders
training in July to "pursue other options".
This week started out with a win over the Colorado Rapids, which meant that the Sounders and its
fans could start thinking about a Playoff run. That feels like a month ago, as the week was packed
full with other interesting things.
- Seattle joined Toronto in winning the 1st Leg of the Preliminary Round of the CONCACAF
Champions League
- Tod Leiweke announced that he will be leaving Vulcan Sports and Entertainment (and
Sounders)
- Alvaro Fernandez joined the Seattle Sounders
- Freddie Ljungberg was sent off to the Chicago Fire
It is obvious to anyone that has followed this team that this week will be one of the defining
moments for the 2010 season.
As of 6:15 p.m., it's looking like the Sounders could have a chance to vault all the way from
ninth in the standings all the way into sixth. Colorado (24 points) has already tied its match,
Toronto (24 points if results hold) is currently tied with Kansas City and a win over San Jose (23
points) would put the Sounders at 25 points.
Three Prekis? That's thrice the turtling!
KANSAS CITY 1 - TORONTO FC 0
While there is a lot to be said for hard-working, grinding, defensively responsible football -
this is just getting silly. On a night when ex-Kansas City Wizard, and current TFC head
offence-denier, Preki was being saluted for his playing career with The Wiz (yes, they gave out
that "Lou Ferigno as Preki" figurine above), you couldn't help but wonder - how did the angry
Serb score 71 goals for them?
On Friday evening came the shocking news from Bridgeview, Illinois that Swedish star Freddie
Ljungberg has been traded from the Seattle Sounders to the Chicago Fire for a conditional draft
selection. The former Arsenal star and Swedish international, a veteran of multiple World Cups,
brings his talents in the midfield to a Chicago Fire team that needs help to even reach a playoff
spot this season.
With Freddie Ljungberg's trade to the Chicago Fire last week a captivating saga finally closed.
The last time he appeared in front of Sounders fans was during the U.S. Open Cup match against the
Los Angeles Galaxy on July 7.
In that match, it is worth noting, Ljungberg showed up late and took his seat on the bench
sometime during the first half.
Sounders at Isidro Metapan
View full size photo »
If Sigi follows through with his assertion that he'll play a significant number of his starters
from Saturday's match tonight, this is what we expect.
In just his second match as a Sounder, Alvaro Fernandez made sure his place in our lore was
secure. Fernandez's header in the 73rd minute tied the score in the road half of Seattle's two-leg
CCL preliminary stage series with Metapan, and gave the Sounders a 2-1 aggregate score victory.
The goal assured the Sounders of no fewer than six more CCL matches, including two home matches
against Costa Rican powerhouse Saprissa and Mexican side Monterrey.
