Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg seemed unsettled in Seattle since the start of the 2010 season. His time there however, is now up as he joins Toronto FC’s Eastern Conference rival, Chicago Fire S.C.
The timing makes sense for both teams. With the signing of 24-year old Uruguayan World Cup midfielder Alvaro Fernandez and Swiss international forward Blaise Nkufo – who also featured for his country in South Africa this summer – the Sounders signaled their intent to move beyond the first Designated Player in club history.
[inline_node:3559]Sitting ninth in the league table but just a single point behind the final playoff position, Seattle coach Sigi Schmid will hope this ruthless move to trade away a fan-favourite, sends a strong message to his squad that no player is protected and performance is mandatory.
Ljungberg has struggled in his second Major League Soccer season. The Sounders will only receive a conditional SuperDraft pick in exchange for the 33-year old former English Premier League superstar, known mainly for his exploits with Arsenal.
Chicago sits six points back of eighth place but holds two games in hand over Toronto. The BMO Field Reds are the current occupiers of that position heading into Week 18, though they are tied on points with Colorado and San Jose.
Ljungberg’s arrival comes days after Mexican international Nery Castillo was added to the Bridgeview club’s roster. They join Marco Pappa, a Guatemalan full of talent and trickery, operating alongside the surprising Baggio Husidic from Bosnia. This foursome has the potential to be the most lethal midfield in MLS history, if the new acquisitions live up to expectation.
What does this mean for Toronto? It means that the Reds will need to get tactical and look for results away while demanding no less than maximum points at home. While this has been the team’s target all season, the pressure is now greater than ever due to missed opportunities.
Once within striking distance of East-leading Columbus, Reds have dropped a massive eight points at home in their last five league matches. This has left a road-weary side at the bottom half of the postseason fight. Their schedule gets particularly daunting in the final nine games of the season as six of them are away, including long trips to Seattle and Carson (v. Chivas). There are shorter journeys but difficult matches in Chicago, Dallas and Houston. All of this happens before the BMO Field regular season finale against Columbus, a team that Toronto has never beaten.
Right now Seattle and Chicago fans will like their chances. But Preki has never missed the playoffs as coach and has built a team in Toronto that usually displays stout defending.
Improved finishing can vault the Reds into postseason regardless of their rivals’ latest furnishing.
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