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
Comments (56)
Small talk
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Thank You Fans http://bit.ly/bOHdNw
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New game against Los Angeles Galaxy http://bit.ly/c5PT62
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Let the players decide who will win... http://bit.ly/99lvQM
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Extremely disappointing to draw against the defending champions http://bit.ly/cToOtf
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Big game tonite. Replay of the champions league final http://bit.ly/boPEvg
To Twitter
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Thank You Fans http://bit.ly/bOHdNw
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Preseason training camp in Arizona
Been in training camp in Arizona for a week now. We have been running our asses off and we are all a bit tired, but no pain no gain.
Preseason training camp in Arizona
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"Top 5" stadiums in the world
Started thinking about the five best football stadiums I ever played at and came up with my personal “top 5″ list that I wanted to share with you.
"Top 5" stadiums in the world
RSS feed
Freddie – you are a true class act, Its been a long time to be this excited about a sports team and the first time I have ever been a soccer fan! Thank you for making this season such a fun an memorable one for each and every fan. Looking forward to March of next year!!
Thank you freddie for everything this season! Went to the game in houston and it was rough but the season overall was great and I am already excited for next season! I really hope to see you back next season by the way! Take some time and enjoy the boarding in the mountains- they open up Nov 12th!
Thanks for a great season Freddie! I hope you end up back with us next season, but whatever path you choose I wish you all the best. You always will be welcome back here.
Thank you, Freddie. I think many of us feel that without you on the team none of this would have been possible. I’m not taking anything away from the rest of the team as everyone was a big part of making this season what it was but you brought more knowledge and experience to this team and for that we are grateful.
I really hope to see you play in Seattle for many more years.
Thank you so much for a great season! Is it March yet?!
One thing I’ve learned this year is that we don’t call handballs in our league. Why would they start now…
Tusen tack, Freddie for bringing me to be a futboll fan! And for the best team! It was an amazing year to get to see, if even from afar. Hoping you return to Seattle. Good luck to you!!!
Thanks for such an incredible season!! I’ve become a soccer nut thanks to you. Next season can’t come soon enough. Hope that you’ll stick around for a long time. Seattle loves you!!
Love you Freddie, always
Thank you for such an amazing season. It was very crushing to have lost in Houston but stuff happens & I am already looking forward to the next season. Can’t thank you enough for coming to Seattle & energizing the football scene on a local & national level.
I don’t care what anyone says about all the initials “mouthing off’ sessions you had w/the refs @ the start the MLS season…you were right about the refs missing calls or making really bad ones. Hopeful officiating in MLS will be improved & more diligent next season. You are #1 Freddie!!
Thank you for your great play and your kind words, Freddie! You’ve made this a special season in Seattle.
I’m hoping you’ll be back next year!
Cool! Was recommended this website from a die-hard Arsenal fan who is telling the world about your website. It is fantastic that you are keeping in contact with the fans and letting them in on your perspective.
That’s a player who know the value of his fans.
Keep up the great work over there in the U.S. and come back to us here in Europe soon.
We miss your skill, flair and talent!!!
Thanks for a great season, for the hard work, and for coming to Seattle in the first place.
(It’s funny to think that the season began with doubters about whether you would recover from injury – both that worked out great!)
It looks to me like many times during the season you were pretty dang frustrated with the poor officiating and sometimes sloppy (perhaps thuggish) level of play. You have every right to be frustrated however I hope very much that this doesn’t drive you to leave us. The game here needs you – it’s going to get better because of you. Perhaps this isn’t a cross you should have to bear but, well, I’ll plead for you to carry it anyhow
because the sport here needs you…
I think I can speak for many supporters in saying that we have a strong appreciation for what your being here Seattle means to the game, the city and to you – it’s a mixed bag to be sure. For that reason I believe you will always get ton of adoration from Seattle. We are grateful to have you here Freddie – please stay!
Here’s an admittedly random idea that might make next year a little less frustrating… perhaps you can talk to Sigi about playing a bigger role in CCL than you might otherwise… perhaps the quality of play, officiating and even surfaces will be better on average in those games?
Nice to hear that you have the fans you deserve over there!
Freddie, you make it so easy to support you and the team! Your dedication, passion, and hard work shows and we are so grateful that you are in Seattle!! Thank you for being in our community. I saw you guys at the airport and had the privilege of flying back on the same plane from Houston. You did not let on that you were in a bad mood because you were so kind and willing to take pictures/sign autographs for us. The whole team was amazing. I can hardly put into words how much that touched me. You’re a class act, through and through, Freddie. Thank you!!
Hi Freddie,
I think you should re-title your post “Sour grapes in Houston.”
You are the only one I know of that has characterized the match as a brawl (Seattle or Houston fans). It certainly didn’t seem that way from my seat. If you don’t like how a team plays then don’t beat around the bush about it and then throw a backhanded compliment.
I feel as though you are doing your team and adoring fans a disservice by always complaining (before, during, and after matches — nice Yellow by the way).
The Dynamo clearly out-hustled you guys on Sunday. From my vantage point you were one of maybe 2 players from the Sounders that appeared to want the win.
We all joked that we were playing the Seattle Freddie FC.
Freddie, thanks for everything. You and Kasey were the heart and soul of this team. Don’t listen to this James, he’s a Hackston fan. They are thugs on that team who have no respect for the beautiful game. I loved whenever you got in the refs face when they made bad calls because they were worse than terrible the entire year and somebody needed to speak out ad=nd it was a display of your unmatched passion out there. I hear we are getting a new Attacking mid who is a passing specialist who would be great for getting you the ball as a striker next year if you return. Good luck and once again thanks so much for all you did. Best wishes for the future Freddie.
I certainly don’t blame you for still being a bit pissed after the game. The MLS is certainly a work-in-progress that needs continued tweaking in order to build a quality league for both players and fans alike.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Houston, overall this truly was a phenomenal season. The emotion of the fans was very reminiscent of the 1995 Mariners who owned Seattle during their season. From my perspective (perhaps a bit biased), you and the Sounders “owned” Seattle and entire the Pacific Northwest in 2009.
I sincerely hope you continue to play for the Sounders in 2010. You are 100% first class. I was one of the few lucky people to take a picture (or two – yay) with you at the Houston airport upon waiting for the flight back to Seattle, and you were nothing but kind and welcoming despite the circumstances.
Cheers to you
Jen
Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a class act you are and and inspiration to so many players and fans. I really appreciate how accessable you’ve been to the fans throughout the year. My sons came out to the Home Depot when you were signing autographs and they both said you took the time to chat with them a bit. I know you don’t have to do any of this so thank you. It seems like you get the whole Seattle culture and have fit right in. I really hope to see you play in Seattle again next year and wish you all the best. Again, thank you.
[...] Sounders midfielder Freddie Ljungberg appears to have upset some people with his most recent blog entry. Titled ‘the brawl in Houston,’ it says Brian Ching’s game-winning-goal was [...]
You’re leaving a mark on the game here. Just by being a big part of the SoundersFC and MLS season, you have brought a lot of passion and skill to football in North America. I lived in The Netherlands for a couple of years and had a great desire to see high level football being played here. I moved to Washington state from Toronto before they got their MLS club and was disappointed in not being a part of the league going into Toronto. I am glad that I made the choice to travel 3 and half hours form central Washington to come take part of this first season. I am proud to be a Sounder season ticket holder.
Our matches have always been entertaining and Freddie, you have always been a large part of the entertainment. The intense play, desire to win and the unrelenting determination to succeed have made you and the Sounders easy to cheer for and love.
Thanks for being a part of this season and I look forward to have you come back with team next year. Same high goals…. with hopefully all the right results.
Scott
Certainly an ugly match and even uglier pitch, but we’re proud of the way you guys fought to win.
Can’t wait to see how much you can add next year. Is it March yet?
Thanks for the great season Freddie! You and Kasey coming to Seattle really started things out right for us and we can’t thank you enough. You’re class all the way.
I hope you continue this blog even when playing in Europe.
Freddie stop complaining, Houston Dynamo was a good winner, seattle was very bad with the ball and lost, that’s the real story, if you do not like arbitration and stadiums in major league soccer, go back to Europe, there are many players better than you. Do not be such a crybaby !!!!!
I’ve been in a sour mood, too. I haven’t felt this gutted in a long time.
I love the passion you bring to the game Freddie! You and the other veterans have really helped to stabilize this team. I can’t wait ’til next year when all the elements on this team have fully gelled as a unit. Champions League, here we come!
Freddie, thanks for the great season and the amazingly entertaining and stellar play. I love how passionate you are about the game. The posters that complain that you complain too much need to pull their head out. MLS officiating needs to improve drastically, and most teams solutions to dealing with your skill is to foul you incessantly. I really hope you’re back next year, you add such a great dimension to the Sounders and to the league. Thank you!
Freddie returned to London, you want to see play again for Arsenal and see in the nightclubs, Boujis, Wellington club, or Movida. Walking the streets of Covent Garden with Adee Phelan, parking your black Ferrari at Cipriani and Nobu restaurant. I LOVE SO MUCH
Thanks for playing for the Sounders, Freddie! I hope to see you back next year.
Of course we were at the airport. Win or lose, we love you guys! I really appreciate your willingness to take the time to greet everyone and take all those pictures. Thanks for the amazing season! It wouldn’t have been the same without you. Looking forward to next season – don’t leave us!!! Seattle would miss you greatly.
Thanks for a great season Freddie. Hope to see you back next season!
Dear Alan from Portland:
Go to hell, Portscum freak.
I look forward to the day when Seattle puts your backwater joke of a town in its place. I’m quite surprised you put a semi-sensical sentence together. It’s people like you that make the infinite monkey theorem plausible.
Anybody posting hate notes, get a life… If you are a Houston fan, what do you have to say, you won, deserve it or not.
Freddy, we love you and the rest of the team… all of you are awesome.
Having been at the game, it was heartbreaking, but we walked out with our heads UP HIGH!!! you guys battle ’til the end and gave it all.
I hope you could hear us all cheering, even thru the moment of silence, which due to the horrible sound system we never even heard it was happening…
and when they score, we cheered even louder. some of them tried to get us off track, but they could not, we love our team and will support thru good and bad!!!
Agree with the others here – Alan From Portland you’re the IDIOT – go post where someone cares what you have to say.
Freddiej,
Thank you for calling it how you see it. Your honesty is exactly what MLS needs to rise to the next level.
Please stay here in Seattle. We want you here for years to come. If you do stick around then some day, and it may not be soon, you will be credited with taking MLS to the next level. You will go down in history as a great player in Europe and a LEGEND in the USA.
Karl….. Freddie! You have made so much magic this season. Thank you for awakening the passion for the beautiful game in Seattle on a grand scale! You have made your team mates look incredible and have played with such heart.
I was at the airport on Sunday night, and could not believe the time our designated player took with every fan! Your gratitude was unbelievable. We are so fortunate to have you playing here. I do hope that you call Seattle home for a long, long time!
Thank you for all you have given. Thank you for all the plays you created. Thank you for making the inaugural season so memorable! Thank you for the time you have shared with your fans! I wish you a wonderful break. I will look forward to seeing number 10 working his charm on the pitch on March 25, 2010. I know I will be at Qwest that night!
Glad to hear you had a great season over there. (Much better than DB… ha,ha) So, are you coming back to N5 now, to kick som Chelski-butts?
pick up the phone and give AW a call, could use the experience.
I think Sounders did great this first year, and I’m sure next year will be even better, that is if you’re still playing there. I’d love to see you back in Arsenal, though, if only for a couple of months… Don’t forget HBK needs you in the future!
Thanks for a great inaugural season here in Seattle! Hope to see you back on the pitch in Rave Green in 2010!
I have been supporting you for ten years. Hope you will have another great season with Seattle Sounders!
Great season! I hope the support we have shown plays into your decision to come back. Seattle needs you…MLS needs you.
Thank you for an amazing season. You and your teammates have given Seattle a reason to be excited each week. The energy has been amazing! I was at Seatac Sunday night – it was a good feeling to welcome all of you and to let you know that we’re already looking forward to next year! SCARVES UP!
Thank for bringing your skills to the MLS and Seattle. Despite any bad calls, poor playing conditions, and unsporting behavior it was a wonderful and amazing season. I will always remember this season as the year when it was just as important to watch Seattle play as watching World Cup! Win or lose that is amazing! Thank you again for raising the level of play:)
Thank you again for the passion and style you brought to a most memorable, magical, exciting inaugural Sounders FC season. Seattle loves you!! You have been the soul of the attacking play – always creating when you were on the pitch, and sorely missed when you were out.
We all feel bad about the last game and how the season ended, but I trust Sigi and the SSFC management to ensure that next year will be even more awesome. Champions League, too! You guys rock!
During the off-season there will be more talk about the quality of officiating in the league. Please continue to add your voice to the discussion.
We’re all eager to be back at Qwest on March 25, and I’m just one of thousands who hope you will continue to be an integral part of the Sounders in 2010 and beyond…. GO SOUNDERS!!
Hej Freddie!
Vi är två 18-åriga tvillingsystrar som gör en bakbok med kända fotbollsspelares favoritbakverk. Vi har tagit kontakt med ett bokförlag, Bombadil Publishing och boken kommer ut till påsk 2010. Hittills har vi fått svar från 68 olika spelare, allt från nuvarande herr- och damlandslagsspelares (te.x. Henke Larsson), gamla legenders, till en utländsk stjärna som din gamla lagkompis Cesc Fàbregas favoriter.
Vi skulle jättegärna vilja ha med ditt favoritbakverk. Det skulle vara otroligt kul! Du är en sådan legend!
Vill du vara med har vi 5 snabba som varenda spelare även svarat på (som kommer finnas med i boken sen):
Grädde/Vaniljsås
Kanelbulle/Wienerbröd
Hemlagat/Restaurang
Vanilj/Choklad
Småkakor/Mjuka kakor
Mvh
Maria & Sofia Persson
Bombadil Publishing SWE
marianne@bombadilpublishing.com
Freddie, thank you for coming to the U.S. to help up level our soccer. you are truly an “ambassador of soccer” and it is truly nice to have your presence, your work ethics and most of all, your humility and the level of positive influence to Sounders and MLS. hope you decide to stay at Sounder for another season, we would love to have you here.
j
Freddie! Kom tillbaka till landslaget, vi behöver erfarna spelare som fortfarande håller på hög nivå nu när Tobbe är långtidsskadad, Henke har slutat osv… du är iaf saknad av säkert fler än bara mig i landslaget eller som spelare i någon liga här i Europa då du håller än.
This is my first time writing and I just want to say that I was impressed by the support the fans in Seattle provided. You’ve done US soccer proud. Freddie, I hope to see you next year in Philadelphia! I hope you enjoyed your first season here and I pray for good fitness and success the remainder of your days on the pitch. Vito SoB
Just found this site and I’m glad to see you so candid in your comments Freddie. I’ve thought all season that the officiating is inconsitent at best and they try to make up for that by yellow carding but other than that this was a very enjoyable season and I’m looking forward to the next as well as following you in the MLS off-season.
Freddie, Even though some teams still can’t get it right, your part of an organization that does get it right. Continue to voice your opinion of the lack of quality that other teams provide. Sooner or later, they will have to elevate their game to stay with us. Thanks for the great season and all the hard work, your a class act and a role model for others that look up to you.
Dustin Harris
Baghdad, Iraq
Thank you for an amazing season.. It has been a true pleasure to see a athlete of your caliber come and play in Seattle.
I hope we have many more years with you on the pitch in Qwest field. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Freddie, thank you so much for embracing our country and the MLS. I know the caliber of your former teams. We are growing and getting better, thanks to professionals like you. I really hope you stay another year. If you are ever in Los Angeles, please contact me. Love to take you on tour of the Marvel Studios lot…maybe you will will see Thor!
Keep up the great work! Looking forward to seeing you play in San Jose next year.
Hej Freddie,
Grattis till din forsta sasong har i USA – kul att det gick sa bra for er!
Vi hoppades naturligtvis att ni skulle vinna, men ett bra resultat efter en sasong. Vi hejar har nere i San Francisco bade pa the Sounders och Arsenal och ser fram emot nasta ar!!!
Lycka till!
I really hope you come back to Seattle next year, Freddie. March can’t come quick enough.
You’ve brought so much to the MLS and more importantly, to the Sounders, and I’m keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that we can have you for (at least) 1 more season.
Thanks for all you do, Seattle loves you!!!
Freddie, just read your espn column about the quality of the mls pitches and couldnt agree more about that. Thanks for speaking your mind and keeping standards high.
Also thanks for changing your mind about chicago…:) Good luck next season and go gunners.
Dan Cojocarescu-chicago
Freddie! Thanks for the amazing season, so glad to see you fighting to better the MLS, can’t wait to see what comes next year!
Hey Freddie,
Thanks for keeping the game honest.
Regarding the brawl comment, that does not make you a sore loser at all. I was shocked to see the level of brutality that was allowed by the referee. I don’t think they understand the importance of protecting the athlete.
As an ex-player myself, I fell really bad to see the referee not protecting the players and officiating in the best interest of the game.
If the MLS seeks international recognition, it needs to create a culture that protects the athletes and allows the skilled and offensive aspect of the game to shine through.
I can’t help but mention the goalkeeper from DC United who stomped on Montero when he was down. The league didn’t even act upon this gross act brutality that has no part in this game.
I really hope the player’s union addresses this. I would like to watch some real soccer for a change.