Sounders’ Montero to play in Colombia this season

  • By John Boyle Herald Writer
  • Monday, January 21, 2013 5:01pm
  • SportsSports

TUKWILA — There was never a massive overhaul of the Sounders FC roster, no rebuilding project. Yet over time, enough players have come and gone that the current roster no longer looks much like the one that opened the 2009 season, Seattle’s first in Major League Soccer.

Even so, as Sounders FC began training for its fifth season Monday, one notable absence did stand out. For the first time since coming into the league as an expansion team, Seattle is without forward Fredy Montero, the franchise leader in goals and assists. It’s hardly been a secret that Montero was on his way out, heading to play on loan for Colombian club Millonarios. But the move didn’t become official until Monday morning, and it really felt official a few hours later when players took the field to prepare for a new season without one of the biggest names in franchise history.

(And no, by the way, it’s not your imagination; Major League Soccer’s offseason is ridiculously short).

With Montero’s departure, Seattle now has just six players remaining from its 2009 opening day roster: midfielders Steve Zakuani, Osvaldo Alonso and Brad Evans, and defenders Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni and Zach Scott.

Montero’s departure frees up a designated player slot on Seattle’s roster, and general manager Adrian Hanauer said the team is exploring options to fill it, but whether or not a big-name talent is added to the mix, expectations will be high in 2013. Seattle has been a playoff team in each of its first four seasons, and last year won a playoff series for the first time, advancing to the Western Conference final before losing to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“You never say do or die, make or break, but as a team, we need to now go another step,” Zakuani said. “We know what we need to do.”

And the feeling in Seattle’s front office is that, while another goal scorer would be nice, the team can contend for a title as it is currently constructed.

“I feel confident we can open the season with the people we have here,” said Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid. “We want to make sure that the guy we bring in is the right guy. We don’t want to feel (like) our backs are against the wall and make a decision just to make a decision and bring in the wrong guy. So from that standpoint, we have enough confidence in what we have, but we’re also looking as well.”

Of course just because this group is confident, that doesn’t mean they won’t miss Montero, a three-time MLS All Star who scored 47 goals in his four seasons in Seattle.

“Fredy could produce things that nobody in the league could produce at times,” Zakuani said. “He was a special player. Fredy was a friend to me because we came to Seattle around the same time and we shared some great times together. But we’re used to it now that every year you lose people. We’ve lost a lot of good players over the years. It’s just the turnaround at a professional club; it’s the way it is. We wish Fredy, of course, the best in his career and for his next step, but we have to focus on what we have here in Seattle, who’s coming in and what we have right now, and try to make it work for us.”

Before Montero’s loan was finalized, he was signed to a multi-year extension — his previous deal ran through the 2014 season. That move was made for two reasons, according to Hanauer. For starters, it increases Montero’s value on the loan market, and secondly, it keeps alive the possibility of Montero returning to Seattle somewhere down the road.

Montero wanted to return to his native Colombia in large part to increase his chances of making his country’s national team before the 2014 World Cup. Playing for Millonarios, the defending Colombian league champs, will give Montero a better chance of impressing national team coaches, particularly with the club competing in the Copa Libertadores, the biggest club competition in South America.

Yet as much as this move was made to accommodate Montero, it can also give Sounders FC a chance to see what it can do with a different look up top. As productive as Montero has been, he has not always meshed well with Seattle’s other forwards, and in four postseason appearances, he has yet to score a goal. And it seemed telling that, needing two goals to prevent playoff elimination last season, Schmid decided to pull Montero, the franchise leader in goals, with nearly 20 minutes remaining in the game.

The addition of Eddie Johnson, who led the team with 14 goals last season, as well as a desire to see where the team can go taking a slightly different direction, may well have made Seattle more willing to listen to offers for Montero this year than in years past.

“Look, it’s been four years,” Hanauer said. “We haven’t quite gotten to the top of the mountain that we’re after. Certainly, reengineering the roster is part of our thinking. It wasn’t like a direct correlation where we thought, ‘OK, let’s move Fredy because that’s going to make us better,’ but it gives us an opportunity to prove that we can restructure the roster and get better, and that’s what we hope to and intend to do.”

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.