Press Release

Seattle Sounders FC has traded for U.S. international forward Eddie Johnson, the club announced today. Johnson was selected by the Montreal Impact today with the No. 1 pick in Major League Soccer’s allocation process.

In exchange, Seattle sent forward Mike Fucito and midfielder Lamar Neagle to Montreal.

Johnson, 27, signed with MLS earlier this week after spending much of the past five years with Fulham of the English Premier League.

“Eddie is a high quality striker who is a very good finisher,” said Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson, who coached Johnson at Kansas City. “We are very excited to have him join Sounders FC in our quest for another successful season.”

A member of the U.S. National Team since scoring in his debut in October 2004, Johnson has made 41 appearances with 12 goals for the senior team. He has scored eight goals in only nine FIFA World Cup qualifying appearances, and is the only U.S. player to score a hat trick coming off the bench (October 13, 2004).

Johnson became the first player in national team history to score in each of his first four appearances, three of which were 2006 World Cup qualifying matches. He is one of the most prolific scorers in U.S. Youth National Team history, tallying 37 career goals in 51 international youth games with the U-17s, U-20s and U-23s.

“It’s always difficult to part ways with two quality individuals who have contributed greatly to the success of our first three years,” said Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid. “We saw this as a unique opportunity to bring a player in with World Cup and international experience who can help us in our quest to win the MLS Cup.”

A native of Daytona Beach, Fla., Johnson returns to MLS where he began his professional career. He played four seasons for FC Dallas before joining Kansas City for two seasons, scoring 41 goals with 13 assists in 127 MLS appearances.

The six-foot forward spent four seasons with Fulham, signing with the EPL side in 2007. He made 19 appearances with the senior team. Johnson was loaned to English League Championship side Cardiff City for the 2008-09 season where he appeared in 30 games and scored two goals. In 2009 he was loaned to Aris of the Greek Super League, appearing in 12 games with one goal. Johnson’s stint in Europe ended with a loan to Championship side Preston North End where he scored one goal in 16 appearances.

Johnson will join the team on Saturday in Florida.

Fucito, 25, was selected by Seattle in the fourth round (46^th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. In his three seasons with Sounders FC, he scored three goals with two assists in 23 appearances. Fucito added five goals with one assist in the 2010 and 2011 CONCACAF Champions League and also scored two goals in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Neagle, 24, was signed by Sounders FC on March 2, 2011. A native of Federal Way, Wash. he scored five goals with two assists in 23 league appearances in 2011, and added a goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Neagle was named MLS Player of the Week in August for his hat trick against the Columbus Crew.

Sounders FC hosts Mexico’s Santos Laguna in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on March 7. Seattle opens MLS play on March 17 against Toronto FC on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field.

Transaction:Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Traded FW Mike Fucito and MF Lamar Neagle to Montreal Impact for FW Eddie Johnson

EDDIE JOHNSON

Position: Forward

Height: 6-0

Weight: 179

Birthdate: 3/31/1984

Birthplace (citizenship): Daytona Beach, Florida (United States)

Hometown: Dayton Beach, Florida

Previous Clubs: FC Dallas (2000-2005), Kansas City (2006-2007), Fulham (2007-2011; loan to Cardiff City, 2008-2009; loan to Aris, 2010; loan to Preston North End, 2011)

Press Release

Seattle Sounders FC have signed Swedish international defender Adam Johansson to a multi-year contract, it was announced today. Johansson’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 visa and International Clearance. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Johansson, 28, has played the past seven years for IFK Göteborg in Sweden’s top league, the Allvenskan. He has made a total of 129 league appearances for Göteborg since 2005, scoring two goals. His pro career began with Västra Frölunda of the second tier in 2002.

“Adam has been a mainstay at Göteborg for years and we are very happy to add him to our defense,” said Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson. “His leadership and experience are going to be a great compliment to the growth of our team.

“Adam is very good tactically and is smart in the way he joins the attack from the back,” added Henderson. “We are pleased he is also in the running for the starting right back role for Sweden as they prepare for the Euros.”

“I had a great stay in Seattle while meeting with officials from the club, and seeing the stadium and training ground,” said Johansson. “I got a really good feeling. It will be a new start for me, a new life. It’s going to be a good adventure.”

“The Sounders are one of the biggest teams in the United States,” added Johansson. “They want to be one of the top clubs in North and South America and have big crowds. I’m joining a club with a very good reputation.”

In 2009 Johansson made his full international debut for Sweden in a friendly with the U.S. at Carson, Calif. and later started in three World Cup qualifiers, playing on both the left and right side. His ninth and most recent cap came against Cyprus in February 2011.

After finishing runners-up in 2005, Göteborg claimed the Swedish double in 2007, and also claimed the cup in 2008 and 2009. The Angels were second in the league in 2009.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed DF Adam Johansson

Adam Johansson
Position: Defender
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Birthdate: 2/21/1983
Place of Birth: Gothenburg, Sweden
Hometown (Citizenship): Gothenburg, Sweden (Sweden)
Pronunciation: Yo-HAWN-sun
Last Club: IFK Göteborg (2005-11)
Previous Clubs: Västra Frölunda IF (2002-04)

RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has signed Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Gspurning will be added to the roster pending receipt of his International Clearance.

Gspurning (pronounced guh-SHPURN-ing), 30, has been capped three times by Austria and played the past four seasons for Skoda Xanthi of Greece’s top flight.

“First off, you don’t replace Kasey Keller. What you’re looking for is a new goalkeeper,” said Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid. “We like Michael’s background and pedigree. We like his size. He’s got good feet so we can play through him and he’s very good on crosses, takes good angles and has good hands.”

Gspurning has made 96 career appearances in the top leagues in Austria and Greece and was a two-time All-Star in Greece’s Super League.

“There are many reasons I want to come to Seattle,” said Gspurning. “It is a very good team that plays in many competitions and Seattle has the best fans in Major League Soccer. When I think about the task in the next year, I feel very confident to come over and have the opportunity to be the new number one, and have success with the Sounders.

“I like to keep goal in difficult situations and make saves. With my height I am good at crosses and a solid goalkeeper. I like to push the team in a positive way. I want to help the Sounders and all of my teammates to play better. I can’t wait to come over to Seattle.”

The six-foot, five-inch Gspurning played his first several seasons in Austria, beginning in Austria Wien’s youth system and then DSV Leoben before joining ASKO Pasching of the Austrian Bundesliga in 2004. He was named the best goalkeeper in Austria’s First Division (second-highest league) in 2003/04 and had several call-ins to the Austria U-21 National Team.

Gspurning joined Skoda Xanthi in 2007 and became the first-choice keeper, playing 89 matches in his four seasons, including a career-high 29 in 2009/10. He posted 16 shutouts in 26 matches in 2008/09 and currently holds the record in Greece’s Super League for the longest road shutout streak at eight games. He was twice honored as the top foreign goalkeeper, playing in both All-Star games.

At Skoda Xanthi, Gspurning earned his first call-in to the Austria National Team. He made his international debut against Turkey in a 2008 friendly and started two World Cup qualifiers the following year, a 2-1 win over Romania and a 1-nil loss to eventual group-winners Serbia.

Gspurning will report to Seattle for preseason training camp in January.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed GK Michael Gspurning

Michael Gspurning
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’5
Weight: 209
Birthdate: 5/2/1981
Place of Birth: Graz, Austria
Hometown (Citizenship): Graz (Austria)
Pronunciation: guh-SHPURN-ing
Last Club: Skoda Xanthi FC (2007-11)
Previous Clubs (chronological): DSV Leoben (2001-04), ASKO Pasching (2004-06)

Official Release

The Seattle Sounders FC announced today midfielder/forward Pat Noonan has signed a contract extension through the remainder of the season. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Noonan, 30, made his first appearance of the season last Sunday versus New England. He is in his second year with Sounders FC after scoring one goal and one assist in 12 games (eight starts) in 2010.

“I’m pleased that we could work out an agreement that’s beneficial to both Pat and the club,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “Pat has vision and intelligence that strengthens the team when he’s on the field, and now that he’s healthy we feel he can help us during the second half of the season.”

Noonan spent the latter portion of last season on the Disabled List and underwent hip surgery during the offseason.

A veteran of nine MLS seasons, Noonan has 41 goals and 33 assists in 165 career appearances.

Blaise Nkufo at Sounders Training in 2010 (Chris Coulter Photo)

The rumors and allegations ran rampant the past 10 days, but have now been confirmed by the club. Former Sounders forward, Blaise NKufo has announced his retirement from the beautiful game.

Official Release

Blaise Nkufo, the veteran striker with over 450 professional appearances and 200 goals during a 17-year career, has announced his retirement, Seattle Sounders FC announced today.

“During our relationship we have found Blaise to be both a gentleman and a great sportsman,” said Adrian Hanauer, general manager. “We wish him all the best and believe that, much as he did on the pitch, he will find great success in whatever he chooses to pursue in the future.”

“In announcing my retirement from playing, I want to thank the Sounders organization and their fans for making me feel so welcome in Seattle,” said Nkufo. “I also would like to extend my gratitude to my teammates and wish them great success.”

Nkufo, 35, joined Sounders FC on July 15, 2010 and went on to score five goals in 11 MLS matches. All five goals came during the first three matches of an eventual four-game win streak. Nkufo became the first Seattle player to register a hat trick, scoring three times in a 4-0 victory at Columbus.

“My plan is to stay in North America,” said Nkufo, “and I look forward to opportunities where I can work with young players and help them realize their dreams to play at a high level.”

Prior to joining Sounders FC, Nkufo represented Switzerland in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, completing his international career with 27 caps and seven goals. He played the previous seven seasons for FC Twente in Enschede, Holland. Twente won the Dutch Eredivisie in 2010 and Nkufo scored a club record 114 career goals in league play.

Just in from the club- Sounders FC have signed Argentinian Mauro Rosales.

Official Release

Seattle Sounders FC have signed Argentine midfielder Mauro Rosales, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Rosales, 30, has been capped 10 times (one goal) by Argentina and was a member of the gold-medal winning team at the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2001 FIFA U20 World Cup and the 2004 Copa America runners-up. He played the past four years for Buenos Aires giants River Plate.

“Mauro brings a lot of experience to our team,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC coach. “He’s a playmaking type of midfielder with good quickness and clever passing. We’re excited to have him join our team.”

Rosales scored 39 goals in 234 league matches for Newell’s Old Boys, Ajax and River Plate.

“I am very excited to start playing for the Sounders,” said Rosales. “This is a great opportunity, to play in this league and for one of the biggest teams in the USA. I’m especially happy to be joining such fantastic players and staff and such a great organization.”

Rosales has played nearly 400 matches over all competitions in South America and Europe. He was a member of two Ajax teams which twice won the Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup. Rosales played for River Plate when Los Millonarios claimed the 2008 Argentine Clausura.

He joined Sounders FC in late February during the club’s preseason training in Florida.

Sounders FC plays the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed MF Mauro Rosales

Mauro Rosales
Position: Midfielder
Jersey Number: 10
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Birthdate: 2/24/1981
Place of Birth: Villa Maria, Cordoba, Argentina
Hometown (Citizenship): Villa Maria, Cordoba, Argentina (Argentina)
Pronunciation: MOU-ro Roh-SAH-les
Last Club: River Plate (2007-10)
Previous Clubs (chronological): Newell’s Old Boys (1999-04), Ajax (2004-07)

Official Release

Seattle Sounders FC re-signed midfielder Miguel Montaño and signed goalkeeper Josh Ford, the club announced today. Montaño returns for his second season in Rave Green. Ford was Seattle’s first pick and 11th overall in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Montaño, 19, was first acquired by Sounders FC on loan from Argentina’s Quilmes on April 30, 2010. He is the youngest player to appear in an MLS match for Seattle, making his debut against the L.A. Galaxy on May 8. He went on to appear in six league games, starting one, and collected two assists in U.S. Open Cup play. He contributed three assists during the 2011 preseason. Montaño appeared in 12 competitive matches altogether and also made his first appearance for the Colombia Under-20 National Team in 2010.

“We are pleased that Miguel is staying with us,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “He is a player who continues to show flashes of absolute brilliance and we are hoping that this season becomes a very consistent year for him.”

Ford 23, was a four-year starter at the University of Connecticut. He was named the 2010 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and also earned first team College Soccer News All-American and All-Big East first team honors as a senior. Ford holds the Huskies’ school record for career shutouts (50), consecutive starts (85) and wins (54).

“We felt good about both goalkeepers,” said Schmid. “Josh worked very hard. He’s got a strong mentality and he is a great shot stopper. He is very brave with what he does as a goalkeeper so we are very pleased to be able to sign him.”

Carrasco was the 3rd selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft (Chris Coulter Photo)

The Sounders announced the signing of two additional players today as the club inked forward Lamar Neagle and rookie midfielder Servando Carrasco.

In pre-season action, Neagle scored against Real Salt Lake and UCF. Carrasco scored the match-winner against the Chicago Fire.

Head Coach Sigi Schmid noted, “For sure I think Lamar Neagle the year of playing at Charleston helped him and his play is a lot more consistent than it was at the time he was playing with us the first year out of college.”

Updated Roster

Official Release:

The Seattle Sounders FC signed forward Lamar Neagle and midfielder Servando Carrasco, the club announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

A Tacoma native, Neagle, 23, re-joins Sounders FC after successful stints in America and abroad during 2010. He scored 12 goals in 19 regular season matches for the Charleston Battery to earn Golden Boot and MVP honors in USL-2, the third tier of U.S. professional soccer. The Battery went on to win the 2010 USL-2 championship.

Following the season Neagle was signed by Finland’s IFK Mariehamn, where he played in five leagues matches last fall scoring two goals. He returns to Seattle as a free agent.

Neagle is joining Sounders FC for the second time. He signed on June 10, 2009 but was limited to action in friendlies versus Chelsea and Barcelona. He was waived after the season and spent the 2010 preseason in training as an invitee. Neagle was a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection while at UNLV. He earlier played for Federal Way’s Thomas Jefferson High School.

“This is where I want to be,” said Neagle. “From the start, I knew I needed more games to get better, and now I’m ready to make a difference. The biggest difference is my confidence and feeling comfortable on the field, and confidence comes from playing games and playing well.”

“We welcome back Lamar,” said head coach Sigi Schmid. “The year away was very beneficial to him. He’s a versatile player who can play up front as well as wide midfield.”

Carrasco, 22, was selected by Seattle with the 27th pick overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. A defensive midfielder, Carrasco has played in all eight preseason games, starting three. He scored the winning goal in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire in Bradenton, Fla.

Carrasco was born in San Diego but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico and holds dual citizenship. He played all four years at the University of California and was a three-time All-Pac-10 selection, earning first team honors in 2010. Carrasco finished his collegiate career by starting all 20 games last fall for the Bears and scoring seven goals along with three assists.

“I’m very happy to officially become a part the Sounders, and I’m excited to get this season started,” said Carrasco. “We’ve all been working extremely hard and we’ve established a great foundation during this preseason, and I know this is going to be a successful season.”

“We are excited to have Servando joining our team,” said Schmid. “He’s a central midfielder with good defensive tendencies who help us in our quest this year.”

Sounders FC opens the 2011 MLS season on Tuesday, March 15 by hosting the L.A. Galaxy on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed FW Lamar Neagle
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 165
Birthdate: 5/7/1987
Hometown (Citizenship): Federal Way, Wash. (USA)
College: UNLV
Pronunciation: NAY-gull

Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Signed MF Servando Carrasco
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Birthdate: 8/13/1988
Hometown (Citizenship): San Diego, Calif. (USA)
College: California
High School: St. Augustine HS

Keller played in all 32 matches for Sounders FC in 2010 where he carried a 1.13 Goals Against Average and had 11 league shutouts. During the Sounders’ Inaugural campaign in 2009, Keller tallied a .92 GAA and had 10 shutouts.

Keller has also played in 9 US Open Cup matches for Sounders FC- the Rave Green/Electric Yellow have won all 9 matches.

The upcoming campaign will be Keller’s 20th as a professional.

Thanks to Chris Coulter of SoundersPhotos.com for the images.

[Show as slideshow]

Official Release
The Seattle Sounders FC has signed goalkeeper Kasey Keller to a contract extension for the 2011 Major League Soccer season. Per MLS and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Keller, 41, will be playing his 20th professional season and his third in Seattle. The Olympia, Washington native played 17 seasons in Europe before becoming the third player signed by Sounders FC in 2008.

“In these two years with the Sounders, I’ve been very happy with the form of myself and the team. Throw in the fact that Portland and Vancouver are coming into the league, and there was no question that I wanted to play one last season,” said Keller. “My mind’s great, my body feels great and so I feel this can be a great and successful season for the Sounders and myself.”

“Kasey only wanted to come back if he was playing at or near the top of his game,” said Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer. “He is still quick, still a great shot-stopper and a great organizer in the back. And as great as he has been on the field, he has been an even greater ambassador for Sounders FC and the game. We are happy to have him back with us in 2011.”

In his first two years back home, Keller was twice selected to the MLS All-Star team. In 2009 he was a finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Fair Play Award and was voted by teammates the Sounders FC most valuable player. This past season he won MLS Save of the Year and ranked second in the league in shutouts (11) and third in wins (14). Five of his 82 saves were voted MLS Save of the Week.

Sounders FC won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in both 2009 and 2010, and has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs each season.

Added Keller: “Adrian and I have a great relationship, and the club has been extremely cooperative. It’s been nice to win two Open Cups in our first two seasons. But I would love to finish my career with an MLS championship. I’m looking forward to this season and hopefully bringing that championship home to Seattle.”

“I am happy Kasey is returning,” said Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “His composure and quality are invaluable assets for our teams as we continue our drive for success.”

Keller has served as the Rave Green’s captain each season and has played in 59 of 60 regular season matches, and has played more minutes (5204) than any keeper. In 2010 he ranked sixth among MLS players in total minutes (2655) and, including playoffs, he has started 59 consecutive matches entering 2011. Keller also assisted on one goal. His 457 scoreless minutes to begin the 2009 season is an MLS record.

A three-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, Keller has been a member of four World Cup teams and won three CONCACAF Gold Cups. He holds the goalkeeper records of 102 international caps, 53 wins and 47 shutouts for the U.S. National Team.

Prior to his return home, Keller played in three of Europe’s top-flight leagues: English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s Bundesliga.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – G Kasey Keller signed contract extension

Official Release…

The Seattle Sounders FC has signed Swedish midfielder Erik Friberg, it was announced today. Friberg, 24, played the past four seasons for BK Häcken.

Friberg’s signing will be finalized upon receipt of his P-1 visa and International Clearance. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Playing in the middle and sometimes the left side, Friberg was instrumental in winning the ball and setting-up attacks for Häcken. He also scored five times in 94 appearances for the Göteborg club. Friberg (pronounced FREE-burg) first signed as a professional at age 16 with Västra Frölunda IF.

In 2010 Häcken finished eighth in the Allsvenskan, the Swedish first division, after taking fifth the previous season. In 2008, Friberg’s first season as a starter, Häcken earned promotion after finishing second in Sweden’s second tier, the Superettan.

“This is very exciting, to be coming to Seattle and playing for Sounders,” said Friberg. “I want to help the club win as many matches as possible. I work hard, I like to play and my desire to win is plain to see in every match.”

“Erik is a player who who brings an honest work rate and flair to our midfield,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He has a nonstop engine and is versatile with the ability to play in the middle of the park or wide on occasion. His passing will help diversify our attack in 2011.”

Said Friberg: “I heard during the summer that they were looking at me, and immediately I let it be known that I want to play there, in Seattle. Everyone I speak with says it’s a great city, and the fans are the best in the U.S. I believe it’s going to be a very, very good year.”

“Erik is a tactically smart midfielder and very versatile,” said Chris Henderson Sounders FC technical director. “He has good technique and a good soccer brain. We expect him to contribute and compete for a position centrally or wide.”

Friberg made his senior team debut in 2005 with Västra Frölunda at age 19. His contract was purchased in 2007 by Häcken, where his father, Peter Friberg, had also played as a professional.

Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) – Signed MF Erik Friberg

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-11

Weight: 154

Birthdate: 2/10/1986

Birthplace: Lindome, Sweden

Hometown:Göteborg, Sweden

Citizenship: Sweden

Pronunciation: FREE-burg

Last Club: BK Häcken (2007-2010)

Previous Clubs:Västra Frölunda IF (2005-2006)

Erik Friberg Career Statistics

Season                                                                         GP/GS (Goals)

2005     Västra Frölunda IF                                             25/24 (2)

2006     Västra Frölunda IF                                             7/7 (1)

2007     BK Häcken                                                        14/4 (0)

2008     BK Häcken                                                        25/21 (2)

2009     BK Häcken                                                        28/24 (3)

2010     BK Häcken                                                        27/19 (0)

Totals                                                                           126/99 (8)