There have been no big names connected with the 2010 Seattle Sounders FC roster this training camp, despite best guesses that the club still has expansion allocation money to spend. Instead, we have heard consistent talk about keeping the gang together and raising expectations for individual performances. There is a sports axiom that goes if you stand pat (with what you've got) you are standing still. Or, if you aren't moving forward, you're moving backwards. Are the Sounders right to put trust in the club they built last year, without any experienced upgrades, getting better in 2010?
Here's a headline for you: Schmid expects 35% more out of Zakuani. It's the kind of thing we've been hearing this training camp. Why get a new left winger when you believe the current one is just beginning to shine? “We expect him to make better decisions. I think that he had a number of situations last year where he got in," Sigi Schmid told Prost Amerika of Zakuani. "Where he either got behind the defense, or he got opportunities, good looks on goals and so forth, and we didn’t always come out with the best results. So if we can get him to up that ratio to like 25 or 30 or 35%, where we get something out of it when he gets those good looks, that’s going to help us at the end of the day, our goal production.”
While last camp was all about scrambling together a squad, 2010 seems to be about taking what you've got and 'tweaking it a bit.' "We definitely have higher expectations now," Nate Jaqua recently told the P-I. "As long as some of the younger guys grow and the older guys bring what they brought last year as well, then I think we've got a good chance. But what we really have to strive on is consistency. At times we were one of the best teams – if not arguably the best team – but also at times we were inconsistent and didn't keep it going as well as we wanted. So we have to learn to be a more consistent team."
So Adrian Hanauer, Chris Henderson and Sigi Schmid are betting the farm on the 2009 Sounders becoming the new improved 2010 Sounders. While I also see only improvement ahead for Zakuani, I wonder about Jaqua. He had a career high nine goals last year. Is that to be expected again in 2010?
What are realistic personal improvements for Fredy Montero? Freddie Ljungberg? Which 2009 Sounder(s) will discover the talent of heading the ball on goal? Which will step up and deliver better corner kicks? Better free kick tries? Better service from the right side of midfield? Montero would do well to repeat his 2009 season. Freddie Ljungberg's goals have got to be reasonably to play more matches, make more road trips. More optimistically, as Schmid told the press yesterday, to score more goals and get more assists. Rookie David Estrada seems destined for the right side of the attack.
I think the Sounders are being overly optimistic about all of these guys having improved seasons the very next run out. Ain't gonna happen. One or two perhaps, but increased productivity from virtually every offensive player? Those odds are ones Hanauer would steer clear of if he was in Vegas.
On the other side of the ball, it could be argued that the Sounders defense over-performed in 2009. How can that group raise their production rates? Keller could avoid a red card, as could Riley. Marshall could stage a repeat of his resurrection from Toronto. Leo Gonzalez certainly can now spred out his talent over a whole season. Hurtado has a year of MLS experience. Still, you've got to think it will be tough for that group to be as stingy this year.
Keeping a vibrant, happy, competitive core of players is essential. However, so is bringing in fresh talent to 'take that next step.' In 2009 Sounders FC were, as Jaqua rightly points out, inconsistent. They looked great early, tumbled in the middle, had offensive woes at home, and then eeked into the playoffs. Once there they were shut out twice by an average Houston side.
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Zakuani should be better in 2010. Here he's seen in one of a handful of exasperating nil-nil draws at Qwest in 2009. (Rick Morrison)
Standing pat has its risks and rewards, but I will be nervous if Seattle enters the 2010 season with no prospects of upgrading the roster with new experienced talent. I'll be disappointed if after the Collective Bargaining Agreement is finally signed we don't make a move before the transfer window closes. I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best if we don't find more help when the rest of the world closes shop in July for the world cup.
I like our core group, but I don't like standing pat. We demonstrated in 2009 that we both have the talent to compete, and lack the personnel to perform consistently, score as needed, and win a championship. To think that this has all changed because the guys know each other better is wishful at best, dangerous at worst.
Come on Sounders, give us an experienced striker and another midfield attacking option. Then we'll take our chances.
See another viewpoint on this subject from SounderAtHeart.com's Dave Clark.
Comments
We need depth at the striker position to give Montero and Jaqua a push...seems like their solution is just o move Freddie up top.
We need better cover on D too. With CCL, we could have a packed schedule. One injury to a striker or defender and the roster will be pushed to it's limits.
I have a hunch that Adrian & Co. are waiting to make a move; think about the roster size here. They didn't have too many positions where upgrades were really needed based on last year's performance; now, given the CBA and World Cup coming up, I think they may be waiting to pick up a one or two impact internationals in the next five months. Maybe after the CBA is signed, or after the World Cup when players move in the summer window. I just don't think these guys are "standing pat", Dave. I think they're scheming.
In the battle to see which writer has the correct pulse of the Sounders...I am rooting for Dave Clark. Why? Because his position is sunnier and happier. :) Dave Falk is just too practical sometimes. ;)
maybe the risks of standing pat are not too big in MLS...but why not be proactive now? We are not talking about radical changes here, but rather what could be a talented "missing piece" to an MLS crown!
You can be in control of the change around you, or not. Either way, the change will occur. So maybe experience together is part of the positive change. Maybe one more set of talented feet is the final change needed. I'd prefer to take direction action rather than hope for a group enlightenment.
Ever the optimist. "If only we don't hit the post so many times in 2010." No, really? ;)
I think the Sounders WILL add someone at some point. I'd prefer sooner because I'd like to see the squad peak at the end instead of readjust.
Falk might speak for the masses, but guess what...sometimes what the masses observe turns out to be right, and all of the "we are four deep at winger" nonsense turns out to be just that. Deep? As is warm bodies? Because two of the wingers Clark listed in his piece have not seen a single minute of MLS action. That's not deep.
I'd like to see us add a versatile, experienced attacker. Just that one guy to push everyone or come off the bench. Love Levesque, but that is not him.
So, where will improvement come in terms of headers and set plays (corners & free kicks)?
Gee, I guess I am weighing in late on this one! I'd rather add one more experienced attacker as an option in case Montero / Jaqua / Ljungberg go into a similar funk to what we saw at home last season.
Right on David. I have been shocked by the FO stand pat. With all of those frustrating losses, draws and blown opportunities last year am disappointed in their plan. Here is my big fear. They come out agains the Union and is basically same line up as last year and they are flat. Or maybe they cannot score a goal. Just seeing the same team that was in a funk trotting out again will hurt. The level of frustration and depression for me will just kill the new season buzz. The organization is risking it all on increased production and that is not acceptable. How are the players going to handle that pressure. I just do not understand the thinking and this is not KC where people do not care. If they flop early here expect some ugly scenes from the fans me included.
One thing that I haven't heard mentioned is our loss of Le Toux. He provided some much needed depth as a forward and attacking midfielder (especially in cup play). He provided some of the best finishing and overall effort on the field for the Sounders.
We'll be playing more, not less, games this season with the CONCACAF Cup, and with less players, as I expect more national team call-ups for the World Cup. Losing Le Toux will definitely sting.
I don't see Estrada being able to come in and fill those shoes. I'm hoping they add some depth after the whole CBA is finished.
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