Count me among those who thinks that the loss of Montero would be devastating to Sounder playoff and Open Cup hopes. My first argument is an obvious one - how do you replace Montero's point production? As of today, Montero has played in 15 of the 17 MLS league matches, and has accounted for 9 goals and 6 assists. This puts him 2nd overall in MLS for goals scored behind Schelotto's 10, and in a tie with several others for 2nd overall in MLS for assists with 6. And if the Sounders learned how to capitalize on set pieces, his 39 fouls suffered (2nd in MLS) would provide a number of great scoring opportunities for others. I'm not sure how you argue against these numbers. They exceed anything that could be accomplished on luck alone....
Which leads to my second point. Sounders do not have another natural forward that gets it like Montero does. In the last month, as Montero, Jaqua and Ljungberg have developed an understanding of each other's games, the scoring opportunities have gone up significantly. And Montero is the one who has been the most consistent (if maybe not efficient) in scoring goals during the stretch, scoring in the last 5 MLS games. Additionally, Montero is one of the few guys on the roster that can create a goal out of nothing but his own individual talent. It is this ability to create that neither Jaqua nor Le Toux possess. And it's why I don't believe that anybody on the roster right now could step up their production to make up for Montero's absence.
Man, that last point has me on the verge of launching into several other Jaqua and Le Toux-related issues, but I need to stay focused.... Look, I'll grant you that Montero has had a lot of chances to score lately that he has failed to put away. Golden opportunities at that. The Houston Open Cup match on Tuesday was one prime example, with Montero failing to even get a shot off. But it's MONTERO that seems to find himself in that position. It's not Le Toux, and it's not Jaqua. I don't care how tall you are, or how hard you work. The truth is that Montero's ability to read the game and be in the right place at the right time will always be more valuable to a team than Le Toux's work rate.
Anyone is replaceable. It's highly unlikely this gets done during this transfer window - but if it does, it does. The Sounders won in the most difficult venue in the league (other than Starfire and Qwest, of course) 2-0 without Montero. Anyone is replaceable. Le Toux is not flashy, but he does a few great things that Montero doesn't: he alows Freddie L SuperHot to get into the mix on set plays because he's a great corner and free kick taker, and his work rate puts the opposing team under a bunch of pressure in the back.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Adrian hasn't talked to Fulham makes this all the more unlikely. In fact, even Montero denies the rumors of the British press:
"It's incorrect," Montero said after Thursday's Sounders FC practice at Qwest Field. "I haven't done anything. I'm cool and content here in Seattle, happy with the Sounders. My head is totally focused on MLS and the season with the team. Apart from that, my job is here."
Montero said there was never any contact six months ago with Fulham about the possibility of going there. In January he signed with Sounders FC. Seattle general manager Adrian Hanauer declined to comment on the report but has said he has not heard from Fulham.
Ok, where do we begin? Let's start with addressing what would happen if we lose Montero, and move on to your lack of respect for Jaqua and Le Toux Legit 2 Quit.
ReplyDeleteMontero would be a huge loss, no question. He is a goal scorer, a set up man, and our most creative attacking player. But what would actually happen if we lost him? I still like our chances in the Open Cup final. Its one game, and our team is deep enough to take on any MLS team in a one-off, no matter who misses out. Without Montero we will still make the playoffs, and the final is in Seattle no matter what. On top of that, we have the best coach in the league, who has won MLS titles with two teams. As much as I would hate it (and it won't happen anyway), I think we would be capable of adapting and winning without him.
Which brings me to Jaqua and Le Toux.
Jaqua has 5 goals and 4 assists so far in MLS. He is a target man who isn't afraid to get dirty (or bloody), and is a good distributor. Yes, early on he could not win a header in open play but that has improved. Part of the reason why both he and Montero have been inconsistant at times is because it takes a while for strikers to build chemistry together. I expect both of their keys stats to rise dramatically over the second half of the season.
Le Toux Legit! Le Toux Legit to Quit! Yea, I said it, and I love this guy. First ever signing for SSFC. Monsieur Hustle. But he brings more than just energy to the game. He is great at set pieces (maybe even better than Ljungberg), he wins tackles, he sees the field, and he sets up team-mates.
So, to sum this all up, it would be terrible to lose Montero, but we are capable of winning without him. Sigi is a good enough coach to adapt, and our current roster has enough talent to go all the way.
Anonymous. Anyone is replaceable if you are ManU or Real Madrid. But not if you're Sounders FC operating under a salary cap. And despite your (constantly changing) stance that the introduction of Beckham would destroy the league financially, I don't see Seattle dropping more than $2 million a season on anybody. Which means you have to find good talent at a cheap price. Not easy to do, making Montero even harder to replace.
ReplyDeleteI sure wish you guys had something better to talk about than soccer. Like the transformers. Not the movies, but the cartoon. That would be cool. Also, I'd like to give a shout out to myself. Hey, guy!
ReplyDeletePatrick, at least you could acknowledge that we lined up the ultimate designated mascot. The only cartoon character of the 1980s that rivaled Sound Wave in awesomeness was Snake Eyes, and his asking price was too high.
ReplyDeleteYes yes, well played Patrick. Congrats on selecting the name/mascot. But don't pretend you aren't a soccer fan. Are you afraid to speak up because you follow the Timbers?
ReplyDeleteI will have to go out on a limb here because, obviously, i LOVE to win...but my hatred for watching players roll on the ground to get a call trupmts that winning love. Surprising, but true. Every single game I have watched Montero in, he earns one of those "39 fouls suffered (2nd in MLS)" and I want to close my eyes and pretend that a grown man is not rolling on the ground in utter pain from a tiny kick every one of us has received in our soccer careers and jumped right back up from. It's obnoxious, and I can't stand it, and if that means we no longer have Montero on SSFC, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteWow, angry Funk! But no, you are right. I don't know if you saw the end of the US Open Cup game, but he literally sat on the ground next to a Houston free kick for a minute until their goalie kicked it. It made me sick to my stomach. If he does end up at Fulham that behavior will get him hacked so hard he really won't be able to get up. I love the guy, but you are right, he needs to play like a man.
ReplyDeletePortland Timbers here we goooo! Something, something something something oi! Oi! Oi!
ReplyDelete