MLS: Starts a New Season with the Seattle Sounders Debut

By Stephen Lars

Once again the emotions and the best moments in the MLS are present with the start of what will be the fourteenth season of the best soccer tournament in US. For this 2009 season, a new team is joining to the American League, the Seattle Sounders FC, a team that was part of the USL (minor leagues of the MLS) and, in addition to its debut, the Seattle Sounders FC will be in charge of opening as locals in the current season, in a match in which they will face the New York Red Bulls.

Emerged from the idea of creating a new sporting attraction for the city of Seattle, after the disappearance of their basketball team, the Seattle Supersonics, the Seattle Sounders are appearing in an attempt to portray themselves as a well organized team and sufficiently competitive as to face the other teams that have more experience in the soccer first division.

Aiming to achieve a good performance, Sigi Schmid was appointed to lead the Sounders to this new stage as professionals. To move forward and face the great challenges that await them in the future, Schmid has been given the task of organizing a team that would be strong and will have great ability to demonstrate a great competitive level. For this, it has formed a powerful offensive unit in which there will be Sebastian LeToux, Osvaldo Alonso and Taylor Graham, three good players who have had great performances at the USL.

Although the Sounders definitely will have a strong advantage in terms of offensive, its defense is a bit fragile because at the moment they haven’t found a defender that will suit their needs, most defenders that MLS either they 35 years of age or have little experience, which is why the Seattle Sounders will have to make a stronger work with their defense to avoid any failures in that area.

An important aspect to come across for a good performance of this team will be the capacity of Schmid to develop the potential of each of his players, particularly the defenders Tyson Wahl, Nathan Sturgis, and Patrick Ianni, who even though they have had good moments, have not exploit all of their talent to the fullest yet. Another one that integrates the group of defenders is John Kennedy Hurtado, a talented player who has drawing attention in Europe due to his physical skills and his technique game.

A big surprise that the Sounders will have at their new phase as professionals, will be the incorporation of the Colombian Fredy Montero, another talented defender who is reaching his best moment and if he can remain constant, he could become a superstar in the Major Soccer League. Although for Montero playing at the MLS is a totally new experience, his skills in the air as well as his good performance throughout the field are elements that will help to boost the performance of his teammates and could create a great group setting.

With this powerful group reinforcing the offensive, without a doubt the Seattle Sounders seems to have a very good chance of becoming a great team, capable of starting their way in professional football successfully and it is left in hands of Coach Schmid to give make the most of all the tools he fortunately has in his favor to make this happen.

About the Author
Stephen Lars has been a prominent writer on daily MLS games, sports news and the sportsbook industry for many exceptional sport web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.