Kristan Heneage

5.25.12

Fergie’s Fledgling

By Kristan Heneage

The last seven days has seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer first lead then depart the figurative race to become Aston Villa’s next manager. The 39-year-old had even flown to Birmingham for discussions with the Midlands club - surprisingly much to the displeasure of Molde’s owners. So why is the former Manchester United striker courting interest so early into his coaching career?

There was a hint of fairy tale to the beginning of Solskjaer’s managerial life. Leaving Molde FK in 1996 to join Manchester United, the man nicknamed ‘the baby faced assassin’ returned in the club’s centenary season to deliver the first league title of Molde’s history, weaving himself into the tapestry of Norwegian football once more.

The return to his homeland followed a stint overseeing Manchester United’s second string, a period that left an indelible mark on the young manager. When he decided to vacate the relative comfort of Manchester for his first full time job, he wisely chose not to depart alone.

His backroom staff was filled out by friends he had made in Manchester in the form of Mark Dempsey and Richard Hartis. Dempsey had spent his time coaching 13-16 year olds for the Red Devils. As well as coaching Molde’s first team, Dempsey also works with local youngsters as part of a bank sponsored scheme.

Hartis took control of the club’s goalkeepers after operating in a similar guise for United. Solskjaer gave glowing appraisals of both in his presentation press conference, and was expected to take both men with him had he opted to join Villa - an early display of loyalty and appreciation to those who have helped him earn his reputation.

Although much has been made of Molde’s billionaire backer Kjell Inge Rokke, Solskjaer has not enjoyed a period of extravagance in the transfer market. Operating on a stringent budget, Solskjaer has looked to promote youth, and never more is this typified than with his captain, Magnus Wolff Eikrem.

The son of former Molde player Knut Hallvard Eikrem, Magnus was born and bred in Molde, before being discovered at one of Solskjaer’s soccer schools. From there the talented playmaker was sent away to Manchester United’s academy before being allowed to leave with Solskjaer in 2011.

Ironically deemed a foreign player having spent so much of his teens in Manchester, Eikrem is the playmaking fulcrum of Molde’s midfield. Revelling in his role as captain, the youngster has fallen foul of his manager on one occasion for diving, a rare blot in an otherwise unblemished copybook.

Tactically, Solskjaer has developed a fast counter-attacking side in which full-backs are encouraged to venture forward, revolutionising Molde as a team. As a consequence of Solskjaer’s philosophy, American defender Joshua Gatt has become a much-admired member of the squad. The Michigan native was recorded as the league’s fastest player last season and the admiration of him seems justified when you consider his wonderful solo effort against league leaders Stromsgodset last month.

Despite spending time away from Sir Alex Ferguson, the impact his tutelage had on Solskjaer has not been diluted. Still referring to Sir Alex as ‘the gaffer’ in interviews, Solskjaer seems to have adopted the Scot’s infamous hairdryer motivation technique, as Jo Inge Berget learned to his cost this season after a poor attempt at diving.

It’s claimed Solskjaer’s disdain for simulation harks back to his time under Sir Alex, when he was given a similar blast and told that diving ‘was not the Manchester United way’ - something Berget said Solskjaer stressed to him. “I had to stand in front of everyone in the locker room to apologiSe. Ole Gunnar said that such things we do not have at this club.” Berget said. In fact, so incensed was Solskjaer with the striker, he even forced him to apologise to the referee, and opponents Stromsgodset.

Having been tipped for success by his former mentor, many had expected Molde to hit the ground running in Solskjaer’s first season. The story began diverting from script as Molde suffered an opening day defeat to newly promoted Sarpsborg 08. Arguably a better test of his abilities, the manager responded well to a difficult opening trio of results which included draws against Viking FK and Tromso.

It should be noted that Solskjaer suffered setbacks throughout his inaugural campaign, including losing leading frontman Pape Pate Diouf to FC Copenhagen midway through. Credit must go to his team’s ability to respond to defeat. They never lost back-to-back matches, a testament to his side’s character.

A narrow win against Staebaek in round four earned him his first victory and served as the precursor to a second win away in Brann days later. It also allowed Solskjaer to display his tactical expertise, a quality Ferguson had often noted. Converting the side from its usual 4-3-3 into a more defensively sturdy 4-2-3-1, they recorded an impressive 3-1 victory against the financially stricken side.

With pace out wide a key component of his style, Solskjaer plays in an unique way compared to the majority of Norwegian sides that prefer a more stable 4-4-2. Under the watchful eye of backer Rokke, Solskjaer has taken advantage of the top class facilities that have allowed him to nurture his winning side.

In an eerily similar situation to last year Molde suffered a difficult start as they looked to defend their crown - three defeats in their first six games meant an average opening to the season. However, a 2-0 victory over the weekend against Sandes Ulf saw Molde record their fourth straight win - placing them one point behind leaders Stromsgodset.

When fielding potentially awkward questions regarding his future, Solskjaer has been refreshingly honest in admitting he holds the same ambitions that any young manager does: “We strive for personal development and players who do well get requests all the time,” Solskjaer said. “I was asked by a friend whether I was interested in speaking with Villa. I called Kjell Inge straight away. We agreed that I could speak to them on Wednesday - that it was okay. Roberto Martinez has been given permission to speak to Liverpool, who are a fantastic big club and you know he has ambitions - not a problem.”

Having spurned the chance to join Villa in favour of staying with Molde, Solskjaer will now prepare himself for a Champions League second round qualifier - an amazing prospect when you consider the position the club were in when he joined. Far from minnows, they were also not title contenders.

As for his future, Solskjaer was often a substitute for Manchester United and you sense the striker is aware that much like in his playing days, his time to enter the big stage will arrive eventually.

4.28.12

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There was a philosophical feel to Alan Pardew’s postmatch news conference on a recent Monday afternoon. In the wake of his side’s 2-0 victory over Bolton on April 9 he fielded the obvious questions about his side’s opener — a wonderful solo effort from Hatem Ben Arfa.

In among the superlatives and compliments Pardew gave telling insight into how you handle someone with a heavy backlog of misdemeanors — which included going on strike to force through his move to Newcastle, and even visiting Tyneside without Marseille’s permission.

“With Hatem, you’ve got to let him have his world,” said Pardew, before adding, “It’s his world when he has the ball, my world is when he hasn’t.” It’s compromise, Ben Arfa is an individual, his desire to wear the No. 10 is a clear indication of how he views himself — the creator. Newcastle’s success is built on a hard working cohesive unit, admittedly more prominent during the tenure of Chris Hughton, but the team spirit and work effort remains a healthy part of the current success.

Those were not traits readily associated with Ben Arfa. The attacking flair he displayed on his debut at Everton in the 2010-11 after joining Newcastle on loan had ignited fans passions, but the leg break he suffered at Manchester City dampened the fires of excitement. At a considerably low ebb, many believe his year in rehabilitation is where the bond between player and club was formed and the man began to change.

Newcastle fans posted cards and well wishes in their droves to Ben Arfa and owner Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias paid him personal visits to check on his recovery (he was still a Marseille player at this point). He was even allowed leave to France and Tunisia for his recovery, provided he occasionally returned to Newcastle to be looked over by the club’s medical staff.

It was give and take, and for once Ben Arfa wasn’t just taking. Having given a number of interviews back in his native France recently, Ben Arfa has spoken openly and honestly about his situation. His leg break appears to have served as an epiphany for the man many feel is the most talented member of the ‘1987 generation’ that included Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri, and Jeremy Menez.

Of course the transformation was far from complete. An injury in preseason against Sporting Kansas City ruled him out for the opening few months of the season and left cynics questioning whether he would ever consistently stave off fitness issues. Pardew was careful in his approach- Ben Arfa had played less than a dozen Premier League games by August of 2011, and as a consequence was still grasping the nuances of the more physical English Premier League.

His eventual return as a substitute against Blackburn in September garnered a standing ovation from the home fans — further building of the relationship between player and club.

Pardew still had reservations. Ben Arfa wanted a central role, but the rigid 4-4-2 Newcastle deployed simply didn’t allow for it- — as a consequence he often found his name among the list of substitutes. As fans clamored for him to replace the melancholic Gabriel Obertan out wide, the manager remained defiant.

Tensions grew. When Ben Arfa did play he was able to display his threat, an assist in a defeat to West Brom on Dec. 21, 2011 and a goal against Bolton a few days later that changed the game seemed to vindicate fan opinion — and yet Pardew still confined him to the bench — citing a lack of defensive discipline.

January’s home game against QPR was the turning point. Replacing an injured Yohan Cabaye, Ben Arfa was a constant threat for the home side ,but more importantly he was chasing back. No longer the individual he was part of a cohesive unit that restricted QPR to few chances as the Magpies eked out a narrow win.

His work had not gone unnoticed, Pardew was keen to acknowledge his effort in his postmatch interview: “He’s starting to maneuver into the first team. I think he’s taken on board the team ethos that we’ve got here and in terms of tracking back and doing everything you need to do to play in our team.”

More than just running backward, there has been a definitive change in mentality — something teammate Demba Ba has duly noted. Speaking on French television Sunday he said: “Everyday in training [Ben Arfa] works really hard.” More surprising however was Ba’s claim that Ben Arfa does not like people seeing him working hard — preferring to exude an attitude of nonchalance, something Ba says is not the case.

Ben Arfa is not entirely unrepentant about his former self. Now willing to admit that his reputation of arrogance was justified — he explains that his overconfidence also saved him at one point. Mixing in questionable circles, Ben Arfa was close to joining what he describes as a cult — his reluctance to acknowledge the leader as a superior being putting an end to his potential membership.

With Newcastle’s formation changing in recent weeks to 4-3-3, Pardew has also found a way to finally accommodate his best players — in particular Ben Arfa. His standout game against West Brom on March 25 highlighted his strengths with two assists and a well taken goal. His form of late has even seen him enter contention for France’s Euro 2012 squad, something Pardew has championed him for via the media.

Yet just as the bandwagon begins to gather momentum Pardew cautions that tability and focus are what Ben Arfa requires. Talent has never been the issue for Ben Arfa. As a consequence Pardew has forbidden any more interviews for the rest of the season, a wise move from a man who seems to have learned a great deal in man management after his time with Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez at West Ham.

Now 25, Ben Arfa still has some way to go to prove all of his critics that he is a truly changed man, but with the potential stage of Euro 2012 just around the corner — he may be able to prove that calling him “l’enfant terrible” should be just a thing of the past.

4.13.12

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Pericard playing a supporting role.

Utter the name Vincent Pericard in England and many will be able to chart at least some of his club-heavy career. From Juventus to Swindon, via Portsmouth, the French-Cameroonian striker has called time on playing days at 29 years old with a new project already underway.

The venture is not a production company or a fashion line, and he won’t be appearing as an agent at your local club. Instead Pericard is a man on a charitable mission: ‘Elite Welfare Management’ (EWM) is a non-profit organisation that it’s hoped will benefit foreign players moving to England.

Far from an overnight concept, Pericard has been working on this project for a long time. “About four of five years ago, when I was on loan at Southampton from Stoke, I first thought about the concept,” he explains. “From my experience I found players that didn’t get that support structure to help settle and flourish in England.”

Having undertaken his own difficult journey from humble beginnings in Efok, Cameroon, to France at the age of four (where he made his name at Saint-Etienne), he admits it was far from a smooth transition when he arrived at Portsmouth on loan from Juve in 2002.

“I had to learn the language and the culture by myself with trial and error,” he says. “I didn’t know in that country that’s how they do things or perceive things or that’s how they play football.”

When life at home is stressful you may seek solace in your work, but for Pericard that was where his problems emanated. “The biggest shock was just the style of football,” he says. “It’s a lot more physical and a lot more direct. I didn’t want to leave England though - I’m not a quitter so I wasn’t going to give up because my first few months or first year were difficult.”

On the south coast, though, he was not the only foreign player who was struggling. “When I was at Portsmouth I had a French team-mate with a young daughter,” he reveals. “The travelling between France and England took a toll on him. He’d argue with his wife and in the end she stayed in France. I could see how unhappy he was because he missed his wife and his daughter. Something should have been done so they could live under the same roof in England.”

With a gap in the market and a viable business model, his tailored service could very easily be exported for financial gain; for footballers, trust is often a rare commodity. But any suggestion that money can be made from his idea is met with resistance: “It’s a non-profit organisation because it’s all about the wellbeing of the player and the family. The wellbeing of the family is crucial if he is to fulfil his potential.”

Of course some reservations still remain, for example: surely the aforementioned issues are why these players employ agents? To keep their affairs in order; to use their experience to help the clients settle. Again Pericard disagrees: “When an agent from, say, France has players based in England, Spain and Germany how can he look after them on a 24-hour basis? It’s impossible. The agent doesn’t have the resources to provide the kind of service we are suggesting.”

His rationale for EWM seems obvious yet so often unconsidered. “Football is a billion pound industry,” he says. “Football clubs spend millions on players, but they don’t cater for that welfare.”

Still in its infancy he has yet to approach football clubs but has seen backing from PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle and is on the lookout for funding to get it off the ground. Unfortunately that’s also the issue currently halting proceedings. As he attempts to gather backing from the FA and government sports ministers, he hasn’t ruled out a potential paid membership service.

With such honourable intentions it’s difficult not to champion Pericard and his plan. “I’m just a people person and I want to make people happy. I love seeing the smile of a footballer’s face and their family,” he says. “There’s nothing more than fulfilling than making someone happy.”

Given the potential scope of the organisation, Pericard’s varied playing career makes him an ideal figurehead, something he concurs with: “I was born in Cameroon and raised in France. I played in Italy and England so that’s already four different cultures I’ve experienced. I’ve been in the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and even non-league football. I’ve been conned out of money so I’ve suffered all the things a foreign player could.”

The benefits are not solely cultural, as EWM aims to help players suffering with mental health issues as well. “By having such a close connection with players, they will have a trust with us so they can talk to us about maybe having depression so we can put them with the right sports psychologist,” he adds.

Pericard may have stumbled into the field - “After retiring I realised how hard it could be for a player after the game. I thought what am I going to do? I’ve got no qualifications, am I going to have to work at Tesco?” - but could well be leaving an impact on English football long after he stopped lacing up his well-travelled boots.

4.13.12

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Luke Rodgers isn’t giving up.

By Kristan Heneage

Deep in the heart of northern Europe there is an Englishman with dreams of returning to New York.

After Luke Rodgers and the Red Bulls lost to the eventual M.L.S. Cup champion Los Angeles Galaxy last year — amid talk of Christmas and New Year plans and a desire to watch his beloved Birmingham City when back home — his intentions were made clear: in 2012 he would do everything in his power to help the Red Bulls earn M.L.S. silverware.

That was nearly six months ago and a lot has changed. Now sitting in an apartment in Norway, Rodgers finds himself on the books of Lillestrom SK after his visa renewal was rejected by United States immigration. There are an abundance of questions that sadly Rodgers could not (or would not) answer, but he wants to make one thing clear; “If the chance comes about I’d love to return to New York.” It is believed that Rodgers overstayed his visa last year by several days and also failed to inform the club about a incident in England, though Rodgers, the club and U.S. officials have declined to discuss specifics.

Red Bulls General Manager Erik Soler said the club has not given up hope of getting Rodgers back, with Soler engineering his move to Lillestrom — where Solér was born and began his soccer career.

Admittedly the move is a culture shock to Rodgers, who describes Lillestrom as “nice but quiet” — it provides a dramatic change of scenery when juxtaposed with the bright lights of New York with which Rodgers had grown so fond. He is eager to reiterate, however, that the surroundings are not important, he went to Norway to work.

Making an instant impact with a goal on his debut with Lillestrom, the former Notts County and Port Vale forward remains positive.

“I need to play games right now, and it was great to do that against Rosenborg,” he said in a telephone interview from Norway. “I’d not played since November and to get a goal is an added bonus. I feel comfortable here, everyone at the club has been great helping me settle in, and I’m looking to repay that with some goals.”

It is safe to say Rodgers is not hugely invested in social media. When interviewed in June last year, he was asked if he had considered opening a Twitter account — his response? “Why? What’s the point of it?” It was hard to argue.

It was not a slight on the popular Web site as much as confusion about the concept. Allowing himself a Facebook account to keep in touch with family and friends back home, his page has few status updates but is littered with kind words from Red Bulls fans urging his return — something he describes as truly humbling.

In fact, so determined were sections of the Red Bulls supporters, they set up a Web site urging like-minded people to contact U.S. government officials.

Unaware of all this, Rodgers’s response was initially one of disbelief.

“Honestly?” he said with a sense of uncertainty. “They’ve set up a Web site for me?” After seeing his page, Rodgers was speechless (a nifty little trick) for the first time in during a 30-minute interview.

He broke the silence and said: “That’s amazing. I can’t believe that, just wow.” Clearly shocked by the support, he said that is part of the reason he wants to return, adding; “I really do love the fans, they’re some of the greatest I’ve played in front of. They make banners and it’s just amazing.” Something he has maintained throughout his time in M.L.S.

With fans claiming Rodgers arrival improved the local area, Rodgers is not so sure but appreciates the suggestion.

“Well if scoring goals improved the area then that’s great,” he said with a slightly embarrassed laugh. After a comparison to Mary Poppins was tossed his way, he laughed again. “No not quite, I didn’t fly round on an umbrella,” he said before adding: “I like meeting the fans to be honest. They’re always nice and polite. I mean what’s thirty seconds to take a photo or sign your name?”

Although he might be thousands of miles away, Rodgers is still aware of the club’s fortunes.

“It was a great performance against Columbus, we played really well.” he said. His use of the royal we suggesting part of him is still in New Jersey. And although the Red Bulls entered this weekend’s game against visiting San Jose as the league’s highest-scoring team (with Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper combining for 13 goals), the club is one or two injuries from desperation up front in Rodgers’s absence.

Rodgers’s attention, however, quickly turns to more immediate matters — last Monday Lillestrom played against last-place Odd Grenland. A game many would have expected it to win, saw a victory for Grenland, something Rodgers was far from happy about.

“That was a frustrating game to be honest.” he said. “The only positive is I got 20 minutes, which is what I need right now. We’ll be looking to bounce back as soon as possible.”

His Red Bulls teammates often admitted to difficulty in understanding Rodgers’s heavy Birmingham accent, he apparently faced another language barrier.

“It’s not bad actually,” he said. “A lot of the guys here speak English anyway, but I’m trying to pick little bits up. I think football is one of those games that you just understand each other, actions can replace words.”

A quick test in Norwegian proved he still has some way to go, his vocabulary currently confined to greetings, not that Lillestrom fans will care. Based on an assortment of YouTube clips they appear enamored with their newest recruit, who still stretches out his arms when he finds the back of the net — another nod to his favorite M.L.S. team

“Red Bull gives you wings doesn’t it.” he said before again erupting in laughter, proving that he has not lost his chirpy spirit or hope of one day running out once more at Red Bull Arena. Only time, and the U.S. government, will tell.

3.30.12

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Former hero Le Toux prepares to return to face Philly.

There’s been something of a bad taste in the Philadelphia air the past few months, with changes aplenty and some of the club’s most respected players departing for pastures new – and not always willingly. Such was the case of Sebastien Le Toux.

Le Toux and FourFourTwo exchange small talk in French ahead of some difficult questions regarding the last six months. The timing is apt, given that Le Toux returns to Philadelphia this week to play against his former employers.

He comes back to PPL Park having already made his mark on the scoresheet – after four minutes of his Vancouver debut. Having moved fairly seamlessly, it’s a throwaway comment that potentially explains how he made such a transition.

“I am, what is the word? Ambidextrous?” he asks. That flexibility with his hands may have stretched to other facets of his life. It was certainly the case at Philadelphia. Not only a goalscorer, Le Toux contributed to 57% of the team’s goals in his two seasons – a staggering feat, and part of the reason so many questioned the decision to move him on.

In a protracted relocation, his destination initially appeared to be Bolton Wanderers. Asked about the trial in Lancashire, he interjects. “I wouldn’t really call it a trial, more a visit. I wasn’t ready physically and after I came back things went very fast with the trade.”

As fans registered their concern at the decision to let him join Vancouver, Le Toux opted to tell his story. Considering how often the intricacies of player trades go unknown, the Frenchman was breaking from convention.

Many attributed his open nature to the fact he lacked representation, something he has since rectified. “I’ve got someone else since this happened. I’ve had agents before in my career when I was younger.”

It also seemed to serve as testament to Le Toux the man. When it came to dealing with the Union, he felt a middleman wasn’t needed. A cynic may call this naive; an optimist would prefer to term it admirable.

It’s very easy to feel sympathy for Le Toux. As he tries to move on with his career, the story crops up again and again, like a bitter divorce. Was he angry? “I was frustrated at how he [coach Piotr Nowak] treated me, but I have a lot of friends from there. My girlfriend is from there. I’m trying to turn the page and focus on my career with the Vancouver Whitecaps.”

Le Toux is polite and answers every question honestly. Having had time to calm himself, he’s less outspoken than before. The same can’t be said for Nowak. His weekly press conference was peppered with questions of Le Toux’s return and the coach manager decided against diplomacy.

Asked how he thought Le Toux would be welcomed back, the former DC United manager replied “Maybe confetti, maybe a parade and banners. I have no idea what it’s going to be like and I’m not worried about that whatsoever.”

As Chris Vito of the Delco Times reported, it didn’t end there, Nowak continuing his discourse with one reporter for sometime after the press conference had finished, much to the surprise of those in attendance.

By contrast Le Toux’s approach is far more relaxed. Asked how he will come down from the emotions of the weekend’s game, he replies with typical understatement: “I like to drink wine and listen to music. I’m very thankful to be doing what I do, and living my dream.”

His more tranquil disposition may be due to a healthy relationship with Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie. His early report is glowing, with Rennie seeming to offer much of what he missed towards the end of his stay in the city of Brotherly Love.

“He’s a great person; I’m very happy he is my manager now,” says Le Toux. “Martin is very communicative with the players, his door is always open. You know you can count on him, and he can count on you.”

Vancouver will be hoping to rely on Le Toux this weekend. Philadelphia’s season has begun with three defeats and staunch criticism of the new project being undertaken by the club. It’s a stark juxtaposition with Vancouver, who sit atop the Western Conference with seven points and optimism bubbling nicely in the Canadian city after a tough inaugural season in MLS.

But if Vancouver is quickly becoming a home from home, how will Le Toux feel to play at PPL Park as a visitor? He laughs and pauses to consider his words, not through difficulties with the language barrier – his English is flawless – but as he tries to assess and order his emotions.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of my family and my friends in there. I will be focused on winning the game for my team.” And with this diplomatically polite answer, Sebastien Le Toux leaves to prepare for the final 90 minutes of this chapter.

3.24.12

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Drugs 0, MLS 1: “They saved my life,” says Real Salt Lake’s new star

“They didn’t just save my dream, they saved my life.” That’s how Sebastián Velásquez perceives Real Salt Lake’s decision to select him during the MLS Superdraft in January.

After a whirlwind few months, the rookie reflects upon the moment he found out he’d be making his competitive bow against league champions LA Galaxy. “I saw my name on the board [the night before] and I just started grinding my teeth,” he said. “I was really nervous. In my mind I remembered what a friend from back in Colombia had told me: it’s two goals, 22 people on the field, and three referees. Just go out there and have fun.”

To truly comprehend his journey, you must go back. Born in Colombia’s second city Medellín, Velásquez moved to the US with his mother at the age of two. Throughout his youth he went to school and played club soccer with the aim of one day playing the game professionally.

At 17, his first chance came. Offered a trial with Barcelona after impressing their former striker Steve Archibald, Velásquez began an intense training regiment in preparation for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I was good friends with a guy called Anthony Solomon. He owned an artificial pitch called Carolina Indoor Soccer,” he explains. “He would let me have the keys so I could start at six or seven in the morning till late at night. When I found out about the Barcelona trial, I spent eight months working and sleeping there – it had a couch in the building. I’d do things like shooting, running with weights on my legs, at a good pace. All kinds of things.”

He describes the trial with Barcelona as an unforgettable experience, but it failed to provide a contract, as did a subsequent spell with local rivals Espanyol. Undeterred, Velásquez returned to the US to play college soccer for Spartanburg Methodist College. The school not only helped him financially, but provided him with what he describes as an excellent soccer program.

After a two-year apprenticeship, Velásquez was ready to move on. Having agreed to join Clemson University, he received a shock phone call: “They told me they had heard about my try-outs in Europe and that because of that I was ineligible – I had no idea.”

With the college route apparently blocked and his dream seemingly over, Velásquez had little idea what to do. His mother was now back home in Colombia, which at the time seemed the only option. “I visited Colombia three times [in the space of a year] to see if I could fit into the lifestyle and adjust to it.”

As Velásquez begins to elaborate, he reveals the culture shock. “In Colombia there’s not as much security as there is in this country,” he said. “There you can drink whatever age you want; you can do drugs on the corner of a soccer field.”

With his mother also living in one of the most dangerous areas, Pedregal, Velásquez provides a harrowing example of day-to-day life on a gangland frontline. “I remember when she’d call me crying and you could hear the shootings outside between the gangs. I didn’t want to go into that.

“When you’re young there, if people don’t know you they’re always going to ask ‘Who is that? Is he trying to take over our territory?’ I didn’t want to be a part of that. I want to be safe and not make bad decisions.”

It’s at this point you begin to understand why Velásquez is so grateful to Real Salt Lake. Already possessing a one-way ticket to Colombia, he made a vital final phone call. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

“I was thinking about doing it, and I asked my college coach. He said I should, but I didn’t want to give him the news I wasn’t going to Clemson. Five minutes later, my professional life changed forever. If I hadn’t made that call there would have been no Sebastián in MLS.”

At this stage it was only a trial, and as Velásquez had already learned, that was no guarantee of being picked up. Huddled with his mother around a computer back in Colombia, Velásquez watched the Superdraft process unfold – all the time hoping and praying.

“When the first two drafts got picked, my mom got nervous. I just sat there and said ‘Don’t worry, things will work out, stay positive’. As soon as they picked me… man, I just started crying – that’s all I did, was cry.”

There’s a flicker in his voice as he recalls the moment that made this all possible. Selected at No.36, Sebastian Velásquez was now a professional soccer player. As he begins to settle into life in Utah, he hasn’t forgotten his mother. “We’re looking at that right now and her paperwork situation,” he said. “RSL is helping me with that. They’ve put me on to the immigration lawyers, so hopefully I can get her back here or help out economically.”

Proud of his Colombian roots at a club with a heavy South American influence, Velásquez has fit into the squad seamlessly, even gaining a nickname. ‘El Mofeta’ (‘The Skunk’) refers to the blonde and black hair that two teammates shaved off last week, something he takes in good spirits.

He may be living life one day at a time, but what does the future hold for Velásquez? “Someday I want to be an agent,” he declares. But he wouldn’t be a merciless money-mad merchandiser: his reasons are far more positive. “So I can go to these different spots where I know things are bad, give my hand to a kid and say ‘There’s green land on the other side of the hill; you do have an opportunity at life.” It’s a noble wish and one that you hope he is able to complete.

For the time being, however, his aim is simple – and he believes achievable under the stewardship of coach Jason Kreis. “I want to learn something new each day and become a better player. Jason Kreis is an incredible coach. He’s always there for you. I have so much respect for him that it feels like a father and son relationship.”

3.09.12

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Western Conference Preview

Many see the MLS Western Conference as the stronger of the two, and the favourites at this stage have to be LA Galaxy, despite the 2011 MLS Cup winners losing centreback Omar Gonzalez to injury on the first day of a month-long loan spell at FC Nuremberg.

While the top three places may be cut and dry, excitement this season comes in the mid-table battle. With four sides potentially vying for that last play-off spot: Vancouver, Portland, Colorado and San Jose all have things going for them. They also all possess kryptonite-like weaknesses that will hamper their chances, making it a tough difficult battle to call.

But who are the teams involved, and where do we think they’ll finish?

Chivas USA (9th)
Last season was a tough one for the Los Angeles-based side. Inconsistency meant they finished one place from the bottom in the West, with little likelihood of big improvement in 2012. The club added pace to the flanks with the signing of former Arsenal trainee Ryan Smith, but there’s a distinct lack of depth up front, putting a lot of pressure on Juan Pablo Angel to perform.

If Chivas are to achieve anything this year, the issue of consistency needs rectifying. That can often be hard to do with such a high turnover of players, and while poor league finishes have seen them get better draft picks, it’s not really an ambitious long term strategy.

Key Player: Juan Pablo Angel. Watch a compilation of Angel’s goals for New York (good news, there’s one below…) and you’ll see why so many in MLS admire the Columbian forward. Moved on to the LA Galaxy when Thierry Henry arrived in the Big Apple, it was a similar story for the former River Plate and Aston Villa man when Robbie Keane made the move to LA. With so few options behind him (bar rookie Casey Townsend) it’s a lot to ask of Angel and if he fails to score you have to question who will pick up the slack.

Colorado Rapids (7th)

After winning the MLS Cup in 2010, the defence of their title never really got going last season. Manager Gary Smith went back to England after a falling out with the club’s technical director Paul Bravo, amid claims he was “sick of the backbiting.” Former Cardiff City man Miguel Comminges, Ireland international Caleb Folan and MLS Cup final hero Macoumba Kandji were also allowed to depart the club as Oscar Pareja moves towards playing a more fluid 4-3-3.

While his new system may still accommodate Jamaican forward Omar Cummings, Smith favourites such as Brian Mullan will likely find themselves warming the bench. Colorado have long term potential, but the squad still needs work if it’s to play the way Pareja wants them to.

Key Player: Connor Casey. Think Colorado and star striker Casey tends to spring to mind. After missing most of last year with an Achilles injury, much of their success this season depends on whether he can stay healthy. His robust style of play means while he may lack pace, he’s the ideal focal point for their new attacking triangle.

FC Dallas (4th )
A heavily compacted fixture list last season saw FC Dallas try to compete on two fronts, tiring themselves out in the process. Admittedly Dallas weren’t the only club with Champions League commitments, but their policy of fast-stracking youngsters into the side, while admirable, did seem to hamper them last year.

Despite the squad’s best attempts to convince people otherwise, former Colombia midfielder David Ferreira’s absence through injury was also noticeble.

Maintaining focus throughout the squad, as well as being more clinical in front of goal, will be key for Dallas this year. By bringing in Panama striker Blas Pérez (nicknamed Super Ratón - Spanish for Mighty Mouse) the club have attempted to address the second problem. And now George John is entering the final year of his contract, holding his concentration may stifle attempts to maintain harmony.

Key Player: Brek Shea. Possessing a vast array of questionable haircuts, Shea is a 6 ft 3 wide-man with the lungs of a whale. An artist in his spare time (see the below video), he’ll do well to balance all of his commitments this year. Proving he’s human by eventually succumbing to fatigue last year, he became a versatile component of the Dallas side and will be a large part of any success they have this time round.

Los Angeles Galaxy (1st)

You have to commend LA for last season, deapite the burden of pressure and expectation they were still able to deliver David Beckham’s first MLS Cup. Although Becks spent a long weekend in Paris, he’s back and committed to a new two year deal.

The pressing concern for LA is the injury suffered by Omar Gonzalez while on loan at FC Nuremberg, with his replacement Andrew Boyens not having the best of games against Toronto in the Champions League on Wednesday. However LA can celebrate the returns of midfielder Juninho - on another loan deal from São Paulo, and Edson Buddle following a disappointing stint in Germany for the US international forward.

Key Player: Landon Donovan. In a team littered with stars it’s difficult to single out one, but Donovan just rises above his team mates. While he might be playing coy about his future, he keeps producing for LA when required. Scoring a late equalizer against Toronto midweek, it typified why you need players like him in your team. If he can balance a hectic international schedule with his club commitments, he could very easily be the MVP for 2012.

Portland Timbers (6th)
Portland almost capped their debut season with a play-off berth, and they’ll be hoping they can go one better this time around. Kenny Cooper has been replaced by Kris Boyd, the ex-Rangers man enticed by the prospect of working with fellow Scot and current Timbers coach John Spencer.

Unfortunately the club’s young designated player José Adolfo Valencia will be spending this season on the treatment table as he recovers from knee surgery.

With Spencer scouting Colombia for players following good seasons from Diego Chará and Jorge Perlaza, the Timbers have been busy this off-season, seeing several lesser known players depart Oregon. Although it’s unlikely they’ll win MLS Cup, the play-offs are certainly achievable.

Key Player: Kris Boyd. It took him just eight minutes to score his first goal for Portland, a neat header in a friendly against Swedish side AIK. Expectations of Boyd are high, partly due to his time with Rangers as well as the handsome salary he’ll be picking up while he’s with the club. As you might expect, Timbers owner Merritt Paulson is confident Boyd will be a big hit in MLS. The one piece of advice we’d offer the former Middlesbrough man would be to not irk ‘Timber Joey’ while he’s at work (see below…)

Real Salt Lake (3rd)

It was hard not to feel sorry for Real Salt Lake last season. A narrow defeat in the Champions League to Mexican side Monterrey was only worsened by the sickening leg break midfielder Javier Morales suffered a week later.

Credit must go to the club for not only making the play-offs but also knocking out heavy favourites Seattle. The summer saw veterans Robbie Russell and Andy Williams depart, which helped secure new deals for Ned Grabavoy and the sometimes temperamental Fabián Espíndola.

Enzo Martinez also arrived via the Superdraft and he could potentially blossom under Jason Kreis’ tutelage. Defensively solid, Salt Lake are definitely one of the better sides in the West, but perhaps not quite good enough to trouble Seattle and LA just yet.

Key Player: Javier Morales. The year 2011 was not a good one for the Argentine playmaker for obvious reasons. Now fully recovered, his return should make the club a more dynamic prospect in attack - provided he recaptures the form that earned him an All Star selection in 2009 & 2010.

San Jose Earthquakes (8th)
The biggest move for San Jose was Bobby Convey relocating himself to Sporting Kansas City (insert terrible Wizard of Oz joke here). While Convey might not have got on with coach Frank Yallop, his public outburst made the situation untenable, regardless of how good he is.

Tottenham forward Simon Dawkins returns on loan, but rumours of David Bentley joining him seem a tad fanciful. Akin to D.C. United, a late surge almost saw San Jose make the play-offs, but alas it was not to be. Having added some options up front, the back line still looks a little suspect, and with such a high player turnover in the off season San Jose will take time to gel.

Key Players: Chris Wondolowski. A fantastic goal return over the last two seasons, Wondolowski really is one of the best finishers in the league. Having made the MLS team of the year in 2010 & 2011, expect him to be near the top of the goal-scoring charts once again this year. As for San Jose, it’s sad to say but it’s a same story as last year, with the Earthquakes relying on the ‘Magic Wondo’ to perform.

Seattle Sounders FC (2nd)
Kasey Keller finally called time on his illustrious career and the Sounders will miss his big-game experience as they look to compete in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League this season. Former Ajax winger Mauro Rosales has earned his designated player contract after an impressive 2011, with Congo DR winger Steve Zakuani edging ever closer to a return after his horrible leg break last year.

Elsewhere, Eddie Johnson will be hoping to prove that Seattle were right to swap Mike Fucito and Lamar Neagle for his services, and former Liverpool trainee Jason Banton has earned the chance to display his talents in MLS. As LA’s only realistic challengers, expect Seattle to comfortably make the play-offs.

Key Player: Osvaldo Alonso. Cuban international Alonso is nicknamed the “Honey Badger” for his tenacious style of play, and while Rosales and Co may take the headlines, it’s Alonso that really makes Seattle tick. His selfless and tidy play in the middle of the park make him the fulcrum of the side and although he may not be flash, he’s the kind of player any team with MLS Cup aspirations needs.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6th)
There wasn’t anything funny about Vancouver last season (including Terry Dunfield’s terrible Christmas Cracker style joke). This season seems far more optimistic, as the club have dealt wisely in the off-season. Like a master craftsman, coach Martin Rennie has begun refining his squad, sending Lee Nguyen to New England and acquiring Scotland’s Barry Robson (although he won’t arrive until July).

Arguably one of the best moves the club made was getting Sébastien Le Toux from Philadelphia. His hard working mentality will serve the club well, and if Eric Hassli can curb his poor disciplinary record, there’s potential in Vancouver. Also watch out for the speedy Darren Mattocks, who has looked impressive in pre-season.

Key Player: Barry Robson. It might sound silly to pick a player who won’t arrive till halfway through the season, but having watched Robson has a lot to offer. While there are still question marks over the Vancouver back line, it’s likely to be a close battle between them and Portland for that last play-off spot.

3.09.12

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Eastern Conference preview:

The Eastern Conference wasn’t pretty last year. Each time a team looked like securing first place they invariably slipped up and aided their rivals, who in turn did the same. This makes the East difficult to predict – or competitive, if you’re an optimist.

As it turned out Houston benefited from the mass self-destruction, eventually getting to the MLS Cup final only to lose narrowly to the LA Galaxy. New team Montreal join the East this season and will most likely just enjoy being involved: rarely is much expected of an expansion team in their debut season.

But who are the teams involved, and where do we think they’ll finish?

CHICAGO FIRE (6th)
Last season, Frank Klopas was a firefighter. Not in the sense that he was punching his players after games, but that he was an interim coach trying to stabilise a team that had only won one of its last 10 games before he took the post.
Draw specialists last year, Chicago are now a fast counter-attacking side with a lot of options in midfield. As with any team operating in this way, the back line will need to be solid, putting pressure on former Charlton and Feyenoord defender Cory Gibbs to perform.

Key player: Gibbs might be keeping the goals out, but up the other endDominic Oduro will need to replicate his form from last season. Earning a first Ghana cap in January, the striker’s pace means opposing teams could drop an extra few yards back, potentially hampering Chicago’s tactical plan.

COLUMBUS CREW (4th)
Coach Robert Warzycha’s rebuilding job still only seems half-complete, what with four of his starting XI leaving in the off-season. One of that quartet was Anders Mendoza, provider of one of the most awkward moments of last season.

With Jeff Cunningham one goal from equalling the all-time MLS goals record, Columbus were awarded a penalty. As designated penalty-taker Cunningham readied himself, Mendoza stood over the ball, even ignoring his captain’s request to leave it for Cunningham.

It was ugly, but it worked – Mendoza scored – and that sums up Columbus. Far from the most aesthetically pleasing side in league, the Crew are more effective than attractive. Provided Chad Marshall stays healthy and Eddie Gaven keeps contributing from midfield, expect to see the Crew make the play-offs once again.

Key player: Having scored a goal every other game for Universidad Catolica in his native Chile, archetypal No.10 Milovan Mirosevic is likely to be the creative lynchpin for the Crew this year and will be an exciting prospect to watch.

DC UNITED (5th)
Now Charlie Davies has returned to Sochaux, DC have brought in Rapid Vienna striker Hamdi Salihi as designated player. With MVP Dwayne De Rosario recently agreeing a contract extension, the club have a front pairing that should score goals. Coach Ben Olsen will be aiming to eradicate the defensive frailties that cost DC a play-off spot last season.

Part of his plan involves signing experienced former Real Salt Lake defender Robbie Russell and the imposing Argentine Emiliano Dudar. Having failed to make the play-offs in the last three years, DC now look a solid bet – provided that backline clicks into place.

Key player: Hamdi Salihi. Asked how he’d handle the pressure, Salihi calmly replied: “OK: this is my job. I know my quality.” His confidence may not be misplaced: a strong pre-season means there’s a degree of excitement building in Washington. Just don’t expect any funny post-match interviews from him.

HOUSTON DYNAMO (3rd)
Although Houston have to wait till May for their new stadium – they’ll play away games only until it’s ready – at least Brian Ching will be around to enjoy it. His return and renegotiated contract has actually helped the club that came so close to winning the MLS Cup last year. Having unsuccessfully tried to woo Kris Boyd, Houston will still see signing a striker as a priority and with few designated player options readily available, it will only spite Houston further if Boyd performs well at Portland.

Key player: Brad Davis. It was cruel that he missed the MLS Cup final after such a fantastic season last year. His can-opener of a left foot will be vital of Houston are to recapture that form. Coach Dominic Kinnear now looks like affording Davis the freedom to roam, making him the main supply-line to Houston’s strikers – so no pressure, Brad…

MONTREAL IMPACT (10th)
If there’s a song that best illustrates Montreal’s off-season it’s Kenny Rogers’The Gambler: “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em”. Deciding to take Brian Ching seemed questionable at the time, especially given the player’s vocal displeasure at the move; the club gained little when he eventually sent him back to Texas.

One move that did pay off was taking Eddie Johnson via the allocation process. Gaining Lamar Neagle and Mike Fucito in the trade with Seattle represents good business and will set them up well for their inaugural season. The unenviable task for coach Jesse Marsch is to form an understanding among a large, newly-assembled group of players; it may take time.

Key player: Matteo Ferrari is the standout name. A good pedigree in Europe will see him placed squarely at the heart of Montreal’s back line. It’s a strong test of his leadership and mental strength and we’ll learn a lot about him during the early months of the season.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (9th)
The king is dead; long live the king. Steve Nicol’s departure didn’t befit a man who had done so much for the Revolution and its players, but in Jay Heaps the club have a popular successor.

Heaps cut several players in the off-season, meaning the remodelling of the side is far from finished. Shalrie Joseph is now a designated player and should form a fairly combative central midfield partnership with former DC United man Clyde Simms. Unfortunately for New England fans, it’s about looking towards the future and enduring the present.

Key player: Languid French striker Saer Sene arrived from Bayern Münich II having scored a goal against AC Milan (friendlies count, right?), but former Derby midfielder Benny Feilhaber will be the key component in midfield. His pre-season bicycle kick was nice, but if New England are to make the transition to Heaps style of play, Feilhaber will need to perform.

NEW YORK RED BULLS (2nd)
New York still have concerns at the front and back. They enter the season with a young pair of goalkeepers who will need to quickly adapt to the pressures of MLS. Meanwhile, striker Luke Rodgers is still in the UK with visa issues; Red Bulls’ record without Rodgers doesn’t make for good reading, so getting him back is vital.

The off-pitch dramas of last season did little to aid moral, and if the club are serious about winning the MLS Cup, they’ll need a united and focused locker room is required. On paper a strong side, New York show you why it’s good to remember the game is played on grass and not A4.

Key player: Thierry Henry. The Frenchman may have looked good on the pitch last year, but this season he’ll have to hold together a sometimes volatile dressing room. Rafa Marquez was nothing but trouble last year and for all the Mexican’s perceived quality he didn’t justify his hefty salary. Henry’s form may be good, but he will need to display his leadership qualities and unite the squad if New York are to avoid some of the embarrassing scenes of last season.

PHILADELPHIA UNION (6th)
After US women’s coach Pia Sundhage’s impromptu press-conference karaoke version of Feelin’ Groovy, it’d be nice to see Philadelphia gaffer Piotr Nowak do likewise with Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin’. Some of the club’s most loved players have departed the city of brotherly love and there’s a big risk factor for the Union, especially given Sébastien Le Toux’s contributions over the last two seasons.

Admittedly the money from Le Toux’s move has allowed them to secure some important players, but the Frenchman’s stats don’t lie - he was a big player for the club.

Key player: Leonard Pajoy. Harsh, perhaps, as he may not be a direct replacement for Le Toux – but he’s going to need score goals, if only to justify his manager’s decision. It’s a lot to ask of the 30-year-old Colombian, especially given the lack of consistent goalscoring during his career.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY (1st)

Sporting have a vibrant young side possessing real potential this season. Omar Bravo may have returned to Mexico with Cruz Azul, but with the acquisition of Bobby Convey and a designated player spot still available, Sporting KC are likely to be the best the East has to offer.

The pain of defeat to Houston last year should aid in motivating the players to reach even higher this time around – and if they maintain their discipline, then who knows how far they might go?

Key player: Jimmy Neilsen. As captain of Sporting KC this season, much of the necessary maturity is likely to come from him. At 34, his experience should make him a good leader and if he can instill a rigid discipline in his younger team-mates, the mistakes of last season may be eradicated.

TORONTO FC (8th)
Aron Winter is trying to build something in Toronto. Trouble is, his typically Dutch ideal of a fluid 4-3-3 still hasn’t worked out yet, and after five underachieving seasons the burden of having never reached the play-offs is starting to weigh down on TFC. Mid-season signings Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans had contrasting fortunes, with Frings often so deep that his influence was stifled.

The club have moved on a few defenders, including Englishman Andy Iro, but have also looked to secure former Manchester United product Richard Eckersley after his loan spell last year. Winter has long-term ambitions, and has said he aims to have the club challenging in 2013 – not really want you want to hear if you’ve just bought a season ticket.

Key player: Danny Koevermans. The stereotypical target man, Koevermans is expected to lead the line and play a big role for Toronto this season. An intimidating target up front, he turned in an impressive his goal return for a mid-campaign signing. Now he’s had a full pre-season his potential impact is huge, provided he gets the service and support from those around him.

3.02.12

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Eddie Johnson returns from the wilderness

Former Fulham, Cardiff and Preston striker Eddie Johnson has ended up back in MLS at Seattle. Kris Heneage fills in the blanks

Eddie Johnson may have returned home to MLS, but he’ll be keen to note the changes since his departure in January 2008. Former club Kansas City Wizards now go by the name of Sporting KC, and his new club the Seattle Sounders were still a year from their MLS debut when he joined Fulham as an exciting 23-year-old.

In the years that have passed the league has gone from strength to strength, but Johnson sadly hasn’t. His time at Fulham yielded few games and even fewer goals – under a dozen, in fact. Unable to hold down a first-team place, he was loaned by Cardiff and Preston to little effect (two goals in a combined 49 appearances), although a spell at Greek side Aris Thessaloniki yielded a more fruitful one-in-three goal return.

Released by Fulham last summer, he returned to his roots training at the IMG Soccer Academy. That’s when USA team-mate DaMarcus Beasley reached out to Johnson, offering him a chance with Mexican top-flight side Puebla.

Johnson trained with his new side ahead of the Mexican season, and after being given time off at New Year, prepared to fly back to Puebla from Florida. But at the airport he received a call from Beasley, claiming he’d read local reports that the deal was off.

Puebla cited a failed medical, but Johnson tells a different story. “The club said I didn’t pass my physical. I never took a physical,” he said. “Then they said that I was unfit, but I trained in every session and I did well, and the coach was happy with the way I trained. All the guys in the locker room were excited for me to join, but it was out of my control with the guys in front office.”

Instead he claims there was a difference of opinion between the club’s technical director and coach Juan Osorio, formerly of the Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls. Osorio wanted Johnson, but his technical director preferred to sign a Mexican forward; with neither side willing to relent, the deal was cancelled.

With the clarity of hindsight, Johnson laments the fact that he didn’t have an agent, something he has since rectified by hiring Lyle Yorks. “I’m happy right now and it’s a better situation,” he says. “Lyle has a great reputation in Europe and he thought Europe would have been great for me, but I couldn’t keep sitting out. I know this league and I just want to come back and play. I want to let my football do the talking for me.”

Subject to the league’s allocation process, Johnson was originally signed by the Montreal Impact, the newly-admitted Canadian club. They promptly decided to trade him to Seattle in return for Lamar Neagle and Mike Fucito. Some say it’s a risky move for Seattle, but Johnson sees it as a great display of faith from the Sounders and coach Sigi Schmid.

“I couldn’t be in a better environment,” he said. “The coach believes in me and he thinks I’ll make a great fit in the team. I had the chance to train with Mike and Lamar and I think they’ll do great in Montreal.”

With Johnson knowing little of the Seattle area other than its heavy rainfall, he relied on former Aris teammate Freddy Adu to fill him in on what to expect. “Freddy and I are really good friends,” explains Johnson. “When I heard Seattle were offering a lot to get me, I was like: ‘I’ve never really been to Seattle… I heard it rains a lot up there.’

“The first thing he said was ‘Man, Seattle has the best fan support, you’re going to love it.’ I watched some highlights on MLS.com and I saw how electric the atmosphere is; he said ‘Trust me, you’re going to love it.’”

Now 27, Johnson admits that with the help of Sigi Schmid he also hopes to catch the eye of Jürgen Klinsmann and add to the 42 caps he already has for the national team. “I couldn’t be in a better environment for that. If I’m playing well enough to get into the US men’s national team, I think Sigi has a good relationship with him [Klinsmann]. I know If I’m doing it week in week out, Sigi will give him a call.”

His season with Seattle is likely to begin with a CONCACAF Champions League tie against Santos next week, and Johnson can’t wait to start making up for lost time. “The CONCACAF Champions League will be good. Right now we’re focused on our quarter-final game and I’m looking for that first goal in a Seattle Sounders jersey.”

As for his aspirations this season, Johnson is keeping those to himself, but there’s an air of determination and confidence in his voice. “As a player you always set goals. Right now I’m going to keep those goals to myself, but I’d like to go back and see what ones I did accomplish and what I didn’t accomplish.”

Earning an estimated $100,000 this season, Johnson could very easily become an astute signing for the Sounders should he recapture his early career form. As the team needs a viable partner for Fredy Montero, Johnson will seek to quickly establish an understanding with the Colombian if Seattle are to once again make the play-offs in a difficult Western Conference.

Right now though, Johnson is simply asking for a healthy season. “It’s a long season we have a lot of games with the CONCACAF Champions League, the big question is can our team stay healthy throughout the year. If we stay healthy we’ve got a strong chance.”

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