Soccer By Ives

You Write the Caption: Best of the Freddie Ljungberg Edition

   

Hello all. It's time to pick the best entries from the Freddie Ljungberg Edition of You Write the Caption. With the MLS Expansion Draft having brought the 2009 Sounders closer into focus, what better time to poke fun at the new franchise's star player than now?

There were plenty of quality entries for this contest, but here are the ten I thought were the best. enjoy:

A closer look at the MLS Expansion Draft

As far as expansion drafts go, it is tough to say that Seattle Sounders FC had a great one.

Sure, the newest MLS expansion team scored some gems, including a bona fide target striker and some quality midfield threats, but the Seattle braintrust missed the mark on several of its picks, leaving you to wonder if soon-to-be head coach Sigi Schmid really did play a key role in the selections (you would think he did considering the selection of Schmid favorite Peter Vagenas.)

While we won't know the actual roster impact made by Seattle's selections until any potential trades associated with the picks are revealed, but first impressions of the group are mixed.

Here is a closer look at the 10 selections the Sounders made on Wednesday:

Jaqua leads Seattle's 10 expansion picks

FIRST ON SBI

 

                                                                          Photo by ISIphotos.com

Former Houston Dynamo striker Nate Jaqua was one of 10 players chosen in Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft for Seattle Sounders FC, sources with knowledge of the list told SBI on Wednesday afternoon.

Here is the list of players chosen by Seattle:

• Nate Jaqua (Houston)

• Brad Evans (Columbus)

• Stephen King (Chicago)

• Jeff Parke (New York

• James Riley (San Jose)

• Khano Smith (New England)

• Jarrod Smith (Toronto FC)

• Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake)

• Peter Vagenas (Los Angeles)

• Tyson Wahl (Kansas City)

Those of you wondering if the list would have a Sigi Schmid imprint on it need look no further than to the inclusion of Vagenas, who played for Schmid with the Galaxy (and UCLA) so many years ago.

Red Bulls fans will be disappointed to see Parke taken, but sources tell me Parke has his sights set on Europe and is asking for a big contract to stay in MLS, something the Red Bulls weren't ready to offer. Parke just might wind up being this year's Clarence Goodson. You may recall it was Goodson who San Jose grabbed in last year's expansion draft only to see him move to Europe and never return.

So what is the new Seattle team looking like after this expansion draft: Here is a projected lineup as of today:

Seattle Sounders FC closing in on Schmid

 

Just two days after becoming the first coach in MLS history to win MLS Cup titles with two different teams, Sigi Schmid stands poised to try to win a title with a third team.

Schmid is on the verge of accepting a deal to become the first head coach of Seattle Sounders FC, multiple sources within MLS told SBI on Tuesday. Schmid's current contract with the MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew expires on Sunday, meaning he could be introduced as Seattle's head coach as soon as Monday.

Crew owner Clark Hunt stated on Sunday that he believed talks had been going well with Schmid and that he hoped to sign Schmid to a new deal, but Seattle's ownership group has made Schmid a strong offer that sources say Schmid is prepared to accept. Details of the Seattle contract offer were unavailable at this time.

MLS Expansion draft lists released

Here are the lists of players being exposed by all 14 teams in the upcoming MLS Expansion draft for Seattle Sounders FC (these are the players who will be available):

Chivas USA

Chiles, Kraig

Curtin, Jim

Ebert, Eric

Ferreira, Dejair

Flores, Jorge

Hamilton, Anthony

Kennedy, Dan

Mayen, Gerson

Nurse, Roberto

Paladini, Daniel

Parker, Lance

Razov, Ante

Savage, Keith

Suarez, Claudio

Talley, Carey

Thornton, Zach

Vaughn, Lawson

Victorine, Sasha

Wicky, Raphael

Zotinca, Alex

Who would you protect from the MLS Expansion Draft?

We are less than two hours away from the deadline for MLS teams to submit their protected roster lists ahead of Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft for Seattle Sounders FC. Teams can protect 11 players, leaving the rest exposed (save for Generation adidas players).

With teams such as Columbus, Houston and Chicago boasting impressive depth, there should be some quality players available in this year's expansion draft as clubs make very tough decisions on who to keep and who to risk losing.

Taking a look at your favorite team's roster, which 11 players would you protect? Who is the best player you see your team leaving exposed?

Share your thoughts and picks below (and go to the jump for a rundown of the rules surrounding the MLS expansion draft):

MLS Cup: Shaking the MLS grapevine

Good morning folks. It is the day after the 2008 MLS Cup and, as always, the MLS Cup weekend provided a great environment for stories to emerge, rumors to surface and the future plans of MLS teams to take shape.

Here are some of the highlights of what I heard from Major League Soccer's movers and shakers during the past five days in Los Angeles:

Chad Marshall is looking like a good bet to move abroad. The 2008 MLS defender of the year and Columbus Crew playoff hero is out of contact and European clubs have already expressed interest. The Crew would be hard-pressed to pay Marshall a salary that would make him pass on the golden opportunity to enter the European market as a free agent. For those of you who haven't seen it, here is my story on Marshall for ESPN.com.

After Sunday's MLS Cup final victory, Columbus owner Clark Hunt said he believes the Crew will be able to re-sign Sigi Schmid as head coach this off-season. While that is certainly a possibility, Columbus will have to show Schmid the money in order to keep him from taking the Seattle Sounders FC job, which Schmid is a candidate for.

Even if Schmid stays in Columbus, Seattle has a very good candidate in New England assistant Paul Mariner, who sources tell me had a good interview with the expansion group.

You Write the Caption: The Freddie Ljungberg edition

Welcome to the latest installment of You Write the Captions. This week's contest features a photo of Major League Soccer's newest millionaire, Seattle Sounders FC signing Freddie Ljungberg, who already has fans in Seattle buzzing about the impact he could make on and off the field.

The photo in question isn't necessarily a funny one, but it does leave plenty of room for creativity on the caption front. It's up to you to deliver the humor.

Before we get to the photo, congratulations are in order to Dave (whichever Dave he may be) for the winning entry in the Ronaldo Rehab edition of YWTC. His submission was voted the top choice, edging out my favorite, from Pablo Chicago, 33 percent to 25 percent.

Now, on to the Ljungberg photo:

Morning Ticker: Seattle introduces Ljungberg, Ronaldo to play in Brazil and Heinze slams Sir Alex

Seattle Sounders FC introduced Freddie Ljungberg to the masses on Tuesday, showing off the club's first designated player and the player Seattle is hoping will be its own answer to David Beckham.

Seattle is certainly spending close to Beckham money on Ljungberg. Reports have Ljungberg signing a multi-year contract with a base salary of $2.5 million, though sources have told SBI the contract is a two-year guaranteed deal valued at $3.5 million per season.

While Ljungberg is clearly talented and, at 31, still relatively young, he is also an injury risk, arguably the biggest injury risk designated player signing since Claudio Reyna.

Ljungberg's official unveiling was just one of Tuesday's big stories. Here are some more stories from early Wednesday to get your day going:

Report: Seattle to announce Ljungberg signing next week

The long-rumored signing of Freddie Ljungberg by Seattle Sounders FC appears close to reality as the Seattle Times is citing a Swedish report that has revealed that Ljungberg is set to be introduced as Seattle's designated player next week.

Ljungberg is set to join former U.S. national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller, USL star Sebastian LeToux and Gambian starlet Sanna Nyassi as the first four building blocks in the Seattle team set to begin play as Major League Soccer's 15th expansion team in 2009.

Seattle Sounders FC targets Ljungberg

                                                  Photo by ISIphotos.com

GoalSeattle, the Seattle-based soccer blog, has revealed a rumor that Seattle Sounders FC has targeted Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as a potential Designated Player. A West Coast source has confirmed that Seattle has, in fact, been in contact with Ljungberg and are trying to lure the former Arsenal star to the Pacific Northwest.

Is Ljungberg worthy of a DP? He does have the combination of skill and good looks ala David Beckham, only with a fraction of the star power.  Count me among those who don't think signing him to a DP contract would be a wise move. I think he could be a good player in MLS, but with only one DP per team, you have to wonder if he's the one you want launching an expansion franchise.

What do you think? Is Freddie Ljungberg DP-worthy?

poll by twiigs.com

Share your thoughts below.

Vermes turns down Sounders FC coaching job

                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

So who is the most wanted man in Major League Soccer? No, this isn't a David Beckham joke. The answer, it turns out, is Kansas City Wizards technical director Peter Vermes. Less than a month after turning down an offer to become general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy, now comes word that he has turned down an MLS head coaching job.

Seattle Sounders FC, the expansion franchise set to begin playing in 2009, offered Vermes its head coaching job and he has passed on the offer, sources with knowledge of the offer told SBI on Thursday. Sources have also told SBI that the job has also been discussed with one current MLS head coach.

The former U.S. national team standout and former player for the MetroStars, Rapids and Kansas City Wizards was offered the position by former U.S. national team and Colorado Rapids teammate Chris Henderson, who is now the Seattle technical director. Henderson also spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach with Kansas City, where he also worked with Vermes.

Afternoon Roundup: Galaxy searching, Red Bulls shopping and another American goes abroad

Good afternoon all. Apologies for the gaps in posting but the Olympic tournament has done a number on my schedule. There are so many stories to get to, and so much information to pass along.

I have nuggets, some new and some old, on the Galaxy, the New York Red Bulls and their forward search, Clint Mathis, Kasey Keller and another America going to Europe to ply his trade.

First up to bat is the Galaxy, which is looking for permanent replacements for the two men in the above picture who aren't smiling (could this photo have been a sign of what was to come?). Let's get started:

West Coast Update: FC Dallas adds Sikora, Cooper earns MLS honor and San Jose's playoff hopes still not dead

Good afternoon to the folks on the West side of the country (and the MLS standings). Here are some news items and notes for you to peruse as your day winds to a close:

FC Dallas signs Sikora

FC Dallas said goodbye to Colombian midfielder Juan Toja over the weekend, but have already replaced him. The Hoops agreed to terms with forward/midfielder Victor Sikora on Monday, and should have the former Dutch national team player on the roster soon.

Sikora last played for Dutch club NAC Breda (whose general manager is none other than former U.S. national team star Earnie Stewart), and also had stints at Ajax and Vitesse Arnhem. Sikora is expected to play on the wings for FC Dallas.

Sikora joins recently acquired midfielder Bruno Guarda, who made his FC Dallas debut in the team's 2-0 win against Toronto FC on Sunday.

Thursday West Coast Roundup

                                                                      Photo by ISIphotos.com

(On a night when the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA meets in a battle for first place in the West, here is the second installment of SBI's new segment, the West Coast Roundup. SBI correspondent Odeen Domingo shares a few news nuggets from the West Side of the country with us.)

Ching to Seattle expansion team?

Brian Ching might be heading to Seattle and he may bring Dynamo teammates Craig Waibel and Mike Chabala (former Washington Huskies) with him.

Ching, who played collegiately at Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash., was a Sounder for two seasons (in 2001 and 2002) as Seattle’s top scorer before signing with San Jose.

Could he go back to play in the rain?

Well, he didn’t say no.

A Sebastien Le Toux-Brian Ching combination would be fun to watch.

Microsoft to sponsor Seattle Sounders FC

Today's Wall Street Journal is reporting that software giant Microsoft will be the jersey sponsor for MLS expansion club Seattle Sounders FC.

How much is the deal? According to report, the deal is worth about $4 million a season for five years.

The size of the deal is impressive, but the deal itself shouldn't be considered that much of a surprise given the fact that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is part owner of the new expansion club.

When Seattle kicks off its expansion season in 2009, the Sounders will have "XBox 360 Live" on the front of their jerseys.

What do you think of the news? Share your thoughts below.

Introducing Seattle Sounders FC

The soccer fans of Seattle have spoken. The official name for the new MLS expansion franchise in Seattle is the Seattle Sounders FC.

The nickname Seattle Sounders FC beat out Seattle FC, Seattle Alliance and Seattle Republic, which were the three original choices in the club's write-in ballot.

What's my take? They could have done without the FC but you can bet the FC will become an afterthought. The MLS Seattle team WILL be known as the Sounders.

Like it? Love it? Hate it?

Share your thoughts below.

Cast your vote for the Seattle MLS team name (write-ins added to ballot)

If you want your say on what the name of the new MLS team in Seattle will be, now is your chance.

The Seattle MLS team's website has opened voting on the team's new name and, not only can you choose between Seattle FC, Seattle Alliance and Seattle Republic, but there is now word that voters can write in with suggestions. This mean voters can now choose to write in Seattle Sounders (or bitter Portland fans can write in with 'Dirty Rats FC', but I don't think that will win).

Vote away people. Anybody can vote, though it appears season ticket holders will have their votes weighted more heavily than the general public vote.

I want to here some creative alternatives to the aforementioned team names. Let's come up with some good ones.

Fire away!

The West Coast Update: Several world stars sidelined, Seattle MLS and finding Jimmy "Hoffa"

Good afternoon folks. Since I know there are plenty of SBI readers on the West Coast who often find themselves looking for some news to fill their afternoons, I am going to make it a part of the post rotation to have more late afternoon posts for West Coast readers.

Here are some tidbits to consider as your Monday winds down.

Several stars out for Wednesday Friendlies

If you were hoping to catch a glimpse of the world's best players in Wednesday's heavy slate of international friendlies, good luck with that. Cristiano Ronaldo won't play for Portugal, AC Milan star Kaka won't play for Brazil, injured Barcelona sensation Lionel Messi is nowhere near ready to play for Argentina, which will also be without Juan Riquelme and Carlos Tevez, Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic won't play for Sweden against Brazil, and France will be without the trio of Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Karim Benzema.

It's enough to leave you depressed.

So who WILL be playing on Wednesday? Cesc Fabregas should play for Spain against Italy, Wayne Rooney should play for England, Gigi Buffon should play for Italy and Michael Bradley should play for the United States (Just wanted to see if you were still awake).