The Sounders look like they want more attacking options up front and in the middle. They drafted that way with David Estrada and Mike Seamon. Now in training they are looking at Josh Gardner, Jacob Lousky and new trialist Gao Leilei. The club also invited back Mike Fucito and Jarrod Smith from last season’s roster. It’s an interesting hodge-podge of characters to evaluate and choose between. None of them come with high scoring professional credentials and all could be classified as ‘under the radar’ discoveries if they stick. Leilei is fast but his scoring ratio of 14 goals in 160 pro appearances leaves something to be desired. His most-recent club was Finland’s FC KooTeePee. Ego theories It is interesting that the Sounders have brought in such low profile candidates so far. Perhaps the club sees a need for a team-focused partner for the offensive weapons (Montero, Ljungberg, Jaqua) already in place. While many fans remain convinced that what’s missing is a finisher, Sounders FC are continuing to look at a string of creators or speedsters without finishing credentials. I wonder if the Sounders management already thinks their “ego roster” is full with the balancing act of keeping Montero and Ljungberg’s egos in control and happy up front, and Kasey Keller’s in the back? Don’t get me wrong, “ego” in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, and it often is earned through great success. But can you imagine a volatile, egotistical winger who likes to score goals making it work with Freddie and Fredy already up front wanting service and limelight? It might just make sense for the Sounders to bring someone along who likes to serve rather than be served. Is there an ‘ego’ to manage on the left side of the attack with Zakuani? I’d go as far as to say he was confident in his first year as a rookie, but sometimes sounded like a guy who already knew what he needed to do, and how he was going to do it. Another coaching challenge for Schmid, and another Sounder with speed and creativity but lacking finish. Along the ‘ego’ lines, Seattle did lose one of its most self-loved players when Seba Le Toux went to Philly in the expansion draft. That might rile his many Seattle fans, but the truth is that another side to Le Toux that most supporters didn’t see was his confidence often bubbling over into arrogance. Team Le Toux with his handler / friend / agent Michael and you could really here an earful about how Seba was the second coming at forward. USL Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer was often subjected to Le Tou’x handler’s rantings. It even went as far as Le Toux and Michael submitting formation and line-up change suggestions to Schmetzer, seeing as how they were from Europe and of course had to know more about the sport. What’s Sigi Schmid’s record at handling egos in the locker room? He’s been a successful MLS coach of course, but one of the egos he needs to check is often his own. We all live and learn, and Schmid might well have learned a lot about that sort of thing in 2009. Funny that the LA Galaxy had Beckham, Donovan and a cast of no-names and youngsters last year and Bruce Arena was able to get them on the same page. Schmid had especially Ljungberg and Montero with tender psyches up front, and that never did come all the way to the positive. Perhaps it can this year. In any case, the Sounders are acting like they’ve got a ‘full locker room of personalities’ right now, on and off the pitch…and only the humblest and most-coachable need apply. Goal-scoring optional. (via Chinese midfielder Gao Leilei is latest Sounders ‘under the radar’ trialist)
