Player rumors swirl for Sounders as training camp approaches

January 5, 8:03 AMSeattle Soccer ExaminerDavid Falk

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Seattle Sounders FC will begin their first-ever training camp the third week of January. Rumors of player acquisitions are picking up as the camp nears.

It appears Norwegian club Rosenborg will transfer defender Roy Miller to Sounders FC on a one-year loan, according to RBKweb.

Roy Miller.

Miller is a 24-year old Costa Rican national who is comfortable playing at the center of the defense, an area yet to be finalized by Seattle as the Sounders continue to negotiate with Jeff Parke to fill that role.

It has long been suspected the Sounders have been working on bringing in a player from Spain. Could it be former superstar Fernando Morientes? This rumor would need Seattle to find salary cap space or even to get a second Designated Player slot (Freddie Ljungberg is Seattle's only current 'DP,' a label that allows the Sounders to pay him above the current league salary cap).

What ever happened to Freddie Montero, the gifted young striker from Columbia? He's currently with the Columbian national team on tour. I've got no news updates, but still think chances are fair he'll be in Sounders camp soon. If not us, then it looks like he'll land with Real Betis.

The Sounders will have 30-35 players in camp trying to make the 24-man roster. Major League Soccer altered its roster rules for 2009 by allowing 20 'senior spots' (up from 18). The league cut the overall roster size from 28 to 24 players.

The Sounders gave the league a list of ten "Discovery" players last month, but so far we've had no leaks on what names were included. The Discovery status allows the Sounders to have exclusive MLS rights to negotiate with the players on that list.

Recently it has become clear that University of Washington graduate Chris Eylander will eventually be announced as Seattle's second goalkeeper, joining Kasey Keller in front of the Seattle net. Eylander has played the last three seasons as the starting 'keeper for the United Soccer Leagues Sounders. Other players from the now-folded USL Sounders will be at training camp, though some have already received offers from clubs to remain in the USL.