Ljungberg was all smiles at his introduction to Seattle in 2008. A year and a half later the Designated Player has been traded to Chicago Fire for a provisional draft pick in 2011 or 2012. (Joesph Armand)
Flashback: What I wrote about Freddie on May 31st
How far has the stock of Freddie Ljungberg fallen in the past few months? Far enough that today he was traded by Seattle Sounders FC to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire for a conditional selection in the 2011 or 2012 MLS SuperDraft.
Ljungberg was gracious on his way out the door. “I want to start off by saying how proud I am to have been part of the most successful new franchise in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders FC," he said in a club press release. "I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I first came to Seattle but I have to say that how the city and the fans have embraced me has gone beyond my wildest dreams and for that I am forever grateful. I also want to thank my teammates who are absolutely great on and off the pitch. I have made some very close friends who I know I will be in contact with forever.”
Ljungberg was surplus goods when Seattle officially announced the signing of Alvaro Fernandez yesterday. Fernandez, a member of the Uruguay National Team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, was acquired on Thursday and has received his International Transfer Certificate. He is now eligible to play on Saturday night against the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Sounders have yet to play the Chicago Fire this year, making the future matches between the two sides must-see viewing. The clubs will meet August 28 at Qwest Field and September 25 at Toyota Park.
The announcement ends a strange, short career for the Swede in Seattle. He was announced amongst great fanfare well before the Sounders had even hired Sigi Schmid as head coach. He missed multiple matches in 2009 with migraines before being diagnosed with hypoglycemia. He started slowly in 2009 and then came on at the end to help Sounders FC secure a playoff spot in their first season. He was late to camp and ruffled feathers back in February, when he blogged about snow surfing while Sounders players were already in camp. He was publicly challenged by Kasey Keller and Sigi Schmid to complain less and lead more in 2010. He stated his love of Seattle, a place where he said he could be out of the spotlight, yet would often thrust himself back into world focus via his blog, or by making comments about returning to Europe in the foreign press.
In the end Ljungberg remained popular with Sounders fans at large, though a growing number were seeing him as a distraction to the club, which has begun to turn around its fortunes on the field since he was 'separated' from them and allowed to seek a new team.
What will Ljungberg's legacy be in Seattle? In the short term he was a foreign spark to get casual fans interested. He was a mixed bag on the pitch. He must now be considered a 'failure' as a Designated Player (DP).
Why else would he be leaving Seattle for nothing more than a future provisional draft pick, unless the Sounders were just happy to see him, and his salary, take the next plane to Chicago?
What do you think about Freddie's short Sounders career? Leave a comment below.
Comments
Not the least bit sad. We are better without him.
Ljungberg now has two chances with the Fire to show us how wrong we've been. Can't wait for the first time Alonso lands Ljungberg on his can at Qwest Field Aug. 28. :)
can't say that I am too sad to see him gone, our level of play has increased since he drifted away from the team. I think He was good for selling jerseys and that was about it. RIP Ljungberg Career. Have fun in Chicago
other than the 2 matches against us, I wish Freddie well for the rest of the season.
It's weird to see it all go down this way. I am not sure quite what to think yet...
The exit and return reflect the current value of FL...practically nil. Montero and the team are working better without him. The best form of flattery is winning...is that how the saying goes?
To those fans who 'bonded' with Freddie, I am sorry for your loss. I happen to be a Sounders fan who never quite got the whole deal around him. I have bonded with Keller, Hurtado, Alonso...but never with the Swede.
Thank-you Freddie. You helped to initiate our team into the MLS which saw fans get on board with a level of excitement maybe no one expected. Was great to experience your joy and love for the game, and also your ability and desire to face an oncoming train wreck when barreling down the field in concert with other sounders players. The fast, furious, fun, exciting start to the Seattle Sounders MLS franchise will always involve memories of the smiling, ass-kicking swede. Thanks Freddie, Brad.
I generally enjoyed watching Ljungberg on the field and I think he is a good player, but I absolutely love the FOs DP moves so far this season with Fernandez and Nkufo. I think the friction with the club was probably overblown a bit by the media and the current winning streak has more to do with other Sounders getting healthy and fit rather than Freddie leaving, but if Freddie leaving was the price to pay for getting Fernandez, I'll gladly pay it. I do wish Freddie the best and hope he does well in Chi-town, except of course against us.
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