Another amazing day with powder. Up here its like paradise. This picture I took with my mobile…

//F

Got a new Capita snowboard (a Seattle brand) with a union binding. Very very pleased with the board this year.

But on the other hand I have a bit of problem finding snowboard gear for men, any suggestions where to go? There is so much more around for women but not for men so I have been struggling a bit with this.

Anyway, at least I have the board fixed, – check it out!

//F

The first one to guess Hawaii was “aj3″ who will get an email from my agency in reference to where we should send one of my signed caps as promised,                – Congratulations!

More precisely I went to Kauai on Hawaii Islands which was absolutely amazing! Was recommended to go to this island as it looks and feels like being in a rain forest, I had a really relaxing and great time there.

For me as a European it´s like going to another planet being on the Hawaii Islands, and to only have a 5 hour flight from Seattle is fantastic.
//F

Photo: mlsnet.com

Check out below text and link from the MLS site !
//Claes, agent
CAA Sports

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NEW YORK — MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced the 2009 Best XI during his annual State of the League address. The Best XI recognizes the League’s top 11 players at each position on the field – one goalkeeper, three defenders, five midfielders and two forwards. Six members of the 2009 Best XI are prior recipients of the honor, while five have been named to the squad for the first time. The Best XI members received the most votes from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

MIDFIELDER – FREDDIE LJUNGBERG (Seattle Sounders FC)
DOB – April 16, 1977
Citizenship – Sweden

The Swedish superstar made a remarkable recovery from off-season hip surgery while making a smooth transition from the English Premier League to Major League Soccer. Ljungberg, who became Seattle’s first Designated Player prior to the 2009 season, led a dynamic offense with a team high nine assists. His vision and creativity helped spark the Sounders run to the playoffs – only the third expansion team in MLS history to qualify. Ljungberg was named an MLS All-Star in his first season, was MLS Player of the Month for October and was a finalist for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award.

Photo: theoffside.com

I want to follow up on my last blog post and a few of the comments (I try to read them all – thanks) associated to this branding me as a bit of a “sore looser” in reference to the Dynamo game.

Whatever I have said, or will say, about the quality of the stadium in Houston I want to be very clear and say that it had nothing to do with the outcome of the game. Both Seattle and Houston played on the same pitch and had exactly the same circumstances, and even if it was a handball it does not matter at all as the referee has ruled which we all accept as professionals. Therefore I say it again, it was a fair win for Dynamo.

The point I am trying to make is to raise questions in reference to what is good or bad for MLS  (also adressed in my second column on ESPN´s US soccer site, released friday) as all of us involved are interested in seeing the League grow and benefit all teams in the future. I will therefore use my experience and continue to highlight issues I think need to be changed or improved in order to support the development of our League.

The League and Players Union are in discussion in reference to a new collective bargaining agreement as the current one expires this winter and one thing I know is that all the Players want to get FIFA rules. Except for the U.S. every country and player in the world of soccer has accepted these rules, to my knowledge even really small Leagues with minimum salaries. So what I am trying to highlight is that all we want as Players is to show the high quality of soccer that is being played in the US. If we are not getting the chance to do that I will be telling you why, as I see it, as I have done recently in reference to the quality of the pitch in Houston. A bit of inside information for you is that after the last game several of the Dynamo players apologized for the state of their pitch, which I think was a very nice gesture and underlines my point.

There are so many talented young U.S. players and foreign players in the league who deserve better conditions in order to be able to show their quality. Even if the MLS is a very young League compared to a lot of others around the world it is doing well, but as a player you need to feel sure that you can pass the ball without it flying everywhere and having proper soccer lines in the correct colours which is something much smaller Leagues internationally are adamant about. I sincerely feel that for MLS to be able to elevate its recognition Internationally this is a very important factor!!

People come to watch soccer games live for entertainment, but if the pitches are not good enough so that Players can’t  perform to their best ability they will say that the MLS standard is not good enough. I have personally, numerous times tried to promote the MLS in Europe, but when they see for themselves on TV that NFL lines are remaining during our games they laugh and say that it is not professional.

With all that said I have great belief in the future of soccer in the US and am ready to work hard together with the MLS and all the Players!

Off for a short holiday … where do you think I am? (will choose a winner who receives a signed cap)

//F

I’m sorry that it has taken quite some time after the game to post something, but I have actually been quit pissed off and in a bad mood after the game and wanted to think things through before I said anything.

The whole team is of course extremely disappointed about getting knocked out but it was a great atmosphere in Houston and I personally also thought it was really cool that President George Bush was in the stands.

The game itself was more of a brawl then a nice game to watch I guess. Being on the pitch it clearly felt that it was going to be someones mistake or luck/bad luck that would be the decider of the game in the end. Unfortunately that was the case as the goal was discussed after the game and they say it is quite clear from the TV pictures that it was a handball.

But with that said I don’t want to take anything away from Dynamo as they are a very good team and I wish them all the best for the rest of the playoffs!

To arrive back in Seattle one and a half hour delayed on a rainy Sunday evening and being greeted at the airport by cheering Sounders fans is an amazing feeling after having been knocked out of the playoffs. I really want to thank all of you who did this and tell you that it really warmed our hearts!

For me personally it has truly been an a fantastic season and I have learnt so much by moving and playing here and sends a big thanks to all of you guys out there for the support you have been giving me.

// F