Comments (48)

1. swenglishcake on January 22, 2010 3:29 pm

   Wow – imponerande foto OCH boarding!! Kan du tänka dej att jag provade att boarda för första gången 2 veckor sen…i Swindon, Wiltshire??? Vi har haft riktig vinter i England för en gångs skull – trodde aldrig snön skulle ligga i en vecka eller att jag skulle boarda här! Ha Ha!!

   Saknar dej fortfarande i Arsenal och hoppas att det kanske finns en liten chans att du dyker upp innan MLS börjar *jag lever i hopp* och…WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!! Så JÄKLA skönt att vi äntligen ligger överst…hoppas det håller sej över helgen!

   Saknar dej som vanligt – kramisar från Swindon, Caro xxx

2. CarlosT on January 22, 2010 4:15 pm

   Thanks for laying it out for us, Freddie. I hope statements like this can give the league a little more impetus to get this CBA done. As a Sounders fan, I know I want to see you in Rave Green this spring and the league needs guys of your quality to improve the level of play.

3. SeattleReign on January 22, 2010 4:18 pm

   WoW! I know in not alone when I say us Sounder fans REALLY hope you come back here to play. Have fun boarding, stay healthy and I hope to see you back in Seattle soon to start up another great season.

4. footballforall on January 22, 2010 4:19 pm

   Nobody wants to see a lockout but it may be necessary to force the leagues position on growth and maturity. However, the maturity of the league depends on quality players like yourself. Without the talent and experience that you and select others bring to the MLS, it will surely fizzle and die. Don’t let the bureaucrats determine the fate of the league.

5. MrRaRe on January 22, 2010 4:26 pm

   Hi Freddie! Tx for starting The blog and for sharing.

   Antonio RaRe

6. Adam Smeltzer on January 22, 2010 4:27 pm

   Thanks for the terrific memories from last year, even if you choose to never wear Sounders Blue and Green again… It was unforgettable!

   If you do come back, just listen to our roar and look past the southern goal to our banners and you’ll see we’ll always support you.

7. derekyoung on January 22, 2010 6:10 pm

   Thanks for explaining. Hopefully this puts a bit of pressure on the right people.

8. sugarsled on January 22, 2010 6:33 pm

   Freddie, I just have to say that you and the rest of the top flight talent that has crossed the pond have a lot of work still to do! We need your help in MLS! If it helps, I’ll send you some fresh Salmon from my home in Alaska… just give us a year or two more.

9. David Eaton on January 22, 2010 7:03 pm

   I REALLY REALLY hope you come back Freddie! Continue to enjoy your time at ARE, get your snowboarding in, and then I’ll be behind the North goal for the first Sounders game, hopefully cheering you on as you walk onto the field to start the season!

   You’re the man, Freddie!

10. Roberta King on January 22, 2010 7:30 pm

    Oh, Freddie, just come back! our mountains are so much bigger – seriously, are you in a pasture? Besides, our skies are blue & the sun is shining, the fans want you here with the rest of the team. Monday!

11. Rod Nicholls on January 22, 2010 8:17 pm

    Freddie ~ Please come back to Seattle!

12. alison03 on January 22, 2010 8:25 pm

    I sure hope you come back to the Sounders, Freddie. We love you here and the MLS could sure use you and guys like you to help the league continue to grow.

13. Cassie Bailey on January 22, 2010 8:28 pm

    Please, oh please!!! Come back to Seattle!! We love you!! Have fun boarding, and I hope to see you soon

14. Jake on January 22, 2010 8:47 pm

    Freddie, although it would really be a great loss for out team if you left, I would understand if you did. It is a shame that our league is causing such a problem that it potentially loses a DP because of this. It is also a shame that so many players in the MLS actually have to have another job to help pay the rent. If this league wants to grow further, they need to make sure that it is attractive for proven players such as yourself. The pitches, the refferees and the ability of the MLS to hold a contract over a player and teams head all create a difficult environment to play in.

    If you do leave for Europe, at the very least can you consider working out something similar to Beckham has for AC Milan. If we had you for at least a run of July till the end of the season, I think we would all welcome you back without hesitation.
    Cheers,
    Jake

15. K.d. Lakkis on January 22, 2010 11:45 pm

    Lockout will not happen and MLS is here to get stronger and stronger even though some of the teams owners are d0uche b@ags.

16. ArsenAlex on January 23, 2010 12:53 am

    Det finns ju bara en klubb för dej i europa och det är Arsenal, snälla kom tillbaks!!

17. HBKare on January 23, 2010 1:20 am

    Nice picture, you look like a pro! The Seattle people really want you back, and I understand them, you’ve certainly made a great impact over there. Since the MLS games are not on any TV-channel in Sweden (I’ve watched a few on the web, very blurred)I’d love to see you play in Europe, Arsenal would be a dream come true, you’d be super together with Fabregas and Arshavin. Our NT is not the same without you btw…

18. jshmtred on January 23, 2010 1:37 am

    FREDDIE! COME BACK TO SEATTLE! We need you here.

    Appreciate your honesty on the CBA. Get it done MLS… NOW.

19. Kayla Grapensteter on January 23, 2010 2:20 am

    Fredrik,
    I want to thank you personally for everything that you have done for the Sounders as a club and everything you have done for the city as well. I have seriously enjoyed watching the magic that you create on the field and will always remember the past season as one of the most special times of my life. I counted down the minutes to every game because I knew that I would see you do something that would make me say, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just saw that.” It is because of players like you that the fans feel so connected to the team. I know for a fact that the 32,000 strong of us absolutely love you and will continue to support you no matter what you do. Ultimately, the decision of where to play is up to you alone. Of course I would love it if you stay in Seattle and I am praying that you do, but I would understand if you didn’t. I know that you have to do what’s best for your career and if that means going back to Europe, so be it. There really isn’t anything like the English Premier League except of course La Liga I suppose and I dream of one day being able to experiencing a game myself to feel the intensity and passion of it all. Just know that while I will always bleed rave green, I will continue to follow and support you no matter what uniform you wear. You, along with all the other original Sounders have given me, have given all of us, something so special that we will always remember. Thank you for the opportunity of watching you play an entire season. You are an amazingly skilled player and a great role model. I truly enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you for all the memories and it sure was one hell of a ride that I will never forget. Good luck to you in everything you do, stay healthy, and continue to be a genuine advocate for the best game in the world. I really hope that our paths will one day cross again.

20. Marlene Högmark on January 23, 2010 8:25 am

    Inte dåligt för att vara en av de äldsta i backen;)

    Skönt med en liten lägesrapport direkt från hästens mun, man är ju lite nyfiken på hur det blir. Men hur du än gör så är det betryggande att veta att du alltid går efter eget huvud, så vilket beslut du än tar så kommer det bli bra. Ska bli spännande och att följa…

21. Facebook User on January 23, 2010 10:17 am

    Freddie, It looks like you are having fun back home on the slopes. But just remember that Seattle Sounders Family and Fans still miss you and what you have done for the team. You showed that you can still play at the highest level and that is great for for you, plus you have showed that you are a great leader to the younger players on the team. I just hope that the MLS will understand what they are doing and at the cost to the fans and players that they have to have this resolved fast. The MLS is doing great and I think they need to keep the ball rolling if they lock out now it will kill the league and also we will lose out on getting players like you and other stars to come to the league.

22. Julie Hughes on January 23, 2010 10:28 am

    Arsenal pants, Sounders jacket, Everton board??

23. aj3 on January 23, 2010 1:54 pm

    I’ve never tried snowboarding and I bet it is a lot of fun. I do love skiing and enjoy surfing in the warm months. Sounds like you are still able to get exercise and stay in great shape while enjoying yourself. Those are the best workouts! We all hope that the MLS can get things together and prevent a lockout which would be so damaging to soccer here in the US. I know it is truly an honor to get offers from great European clubs. We would all like to see you stay here in the MLS to help elevate the level of play but you have to do what is best for you.

    Oh yeah! I just got the prize package for guessing where you were at on holiday! Freddie, thanks so much for the hat and other goodies! I may be one of the only people here in North Carolina with a Seattle Sounders sticker on my car!

24. Zeljka Pavlovic on January 23, 2010 3:27 pm

    Enjoy your snowboarding! And come to Croatia in the summer!

25. Jeremy Kim on January 23, 2010 4:57 pm

    1 more year to help an entire generation of American players and help MLS grow. People will look back as part of your legacy. Please stay! It’s only a year.

26. texroop on January 23, 2010 11:17 pm

    This is part of why Sounders fans love you. You are honest with us and we appreciate it. To add my bit to what all the others have been saying I would love nothing more then to watch you take the pitch here at in Seattle again even if it is only for one more year. If you do decide to leave us, be it this year or next , can I just say one thing…Have you considered Liverpool?

27. Chloe Yung on January 24, 2010 11:03 am

    Hi! Freddie,

    Hi! Cant believe that Im leaving a comment to my favorite soccer…I’ve been supporting you since 1998!But just found out this website…
    I’m really glad to know that you love life and the world. Just want to tell you whatever happened, however worse the situation is, there would always be a way out. The world is still as beatiful,wonderful as usual.
    Go for your dream, do what you wanted to do.
    Enjoy the short but wonderful life.

    Love,
    fans from the far Asia

28. pointblankk593 on January 25, 2010 12:01 am

    Mr. Ljungberg you can’t leave Seattle. Because of you, soccer in Seattle is just about and will eventually become as big as the seahawks. Also I just got a jersey with your name on it and i want to be able to wear it when I am at a game knowing that you will be out there. However if the strike in the mls does happen and you decide to leave…i will understand.

29. waveluna on January 25, 2010 9:19 am

    I love watching you play and truly hope that you will return to Seattle. We love you here and the game just won’t be the same without you. I sincerely hope that the MLS can figure things out so that we have the priveledge of you in our city again this year.

30. Peter Hanus on January 25, 2010 2:44 pm

    If there was a communication break-down/misunderstanding, you probably should get in touch with your current club asap: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2010888844_day_1_of_sounders_fc_training.html

31. Swedish on January 25, 2010 4:03 pm

    Not so great to hear of your absence today in camp FL. Unless circumstances prevented your arrival, you should have been ready for today.

32. Tacoma on January 25, 2010 5:47 pm

    Freddie,

    It looks like you’ve been enjoying your off season. I certainly hope you have had a good rest and are feeling well. With that said, you are a professional, and as such, I fully expect you to behave as a professional. You are under contract with my beloved team and we expect you to be in camp with the rest of the players.

    I will hold no ill-wishes toward you should the MLS go on strike or is locked out and you choose to go elsewhere. However, toward the end of last season you began to make cryptic statements regarding where you’ll be playing this coming season and now you’re a no-show on the 1st day of camp.

    I hope to see you report to camp ASAP. Show us the man that you are and honor your contract, show respect to those that have put so much into supporting you and come and support your team.

    Chris in Tacoma

33. imasounder on January 25, 2010 6:30 pm

    Freddie,

    I know there is numerous circumstances on whether you may or may not come back which I respect and you deserve. However, I plead with you not to leave seattle on a sour note. If you do chose not to come back I understand and will always appreciate what you did for not only the Sounders, but for soccer in the US. But there are ways of doing it without disrespecting your teamates and the fans of Seattle that really do LOVE you. Hopefully we will see you at camp soon.

34. carella211 on January 25, 2010 6:30 pm

    i’m dissapointed. i didn’t think you were as shallow as beckham. i was wrong.

35. dundasfc on January 25, 2010 6:41 pm

    There is no lock-out and no players strike.. well not yet… so where are you? Disappointing but still looking forward to your return to the emerald city.

36. jshmtred on January 25, 2010 7:27 pm

    We love you Freddie! Come back to Seattle now!!!!

37. Jen on January 25, 2010 7:54 pm

    Not cool Freddie.

    While I appreciate what you have accomplished for Seattle – and MLS thus far, I expect a DP to set the example for the club and show up to the first day of training. I understand that DP’s of other teams may not hold true to this standard – but Seattle, as everyone has discovered, has standards far above the norm.

    You are fit and migraine free therefore there really is no excuse. I suggest you man up and either fully commit to the team or step aside so I can decide what new jersey to wear in March.

    Hopefully I’ll be able to eat my words in the near future as you show for training, prove that you are a man of your word, and most importantly show that you are worthy of the DP status of the Sounders in 2010.

    Jen

38. laurie ljungberg fan on January 25, 2010 8:06 pm

    Snowboard loves ??… should love me! (Just kidding), I am very happy with that has gone very well in their winter holiday !!… lee few days listening to the Italian League Livorno wanted … should stay in Seattle … there they want, or do not go to Spain, I teach Spanish, haha …. insurance, you want to come back very well and without injury, it is good to deal with you while another sport and get to look forward to MLS …. kisses from Venezuela!

    PS: excuse my bad English again!

39. Khris Downey on January 25, 2010 9:49 pm

    Freddie, missed you today at the first day of training camp.

    I can’t imagine what I would do in your shoes, but I hope you hold up your end of the bargain and come back to Seattle to train and bond with your teammates (at least until the CBA is resolved).

    I appreciate your service to the Sounders last season and will forever be grateful for all you’ve done for soccer in Seattle.

    It’s certainly a complement to you that you can play football at a high level, and I’m sure your mates in Europe have taken notice. That said, when you agreed to play for the Sounders you said you were sincere about wanting to make the league better, now, when you’re not yet past your peak. And you’ve certainly helped to make it better and bring important issues, such as the quality of the pitch, to the forefront. So I hope that you’ll consider this strongly, make the best decision possible, and come back to play for Seattle this year.

40. Andrew Perrin Flansburg on January 25, 2010 9:59 pm

    Hoping you come back… Remember all the people that had to be turned down for signatures at Home Depot? We love you here, but Seattle also loves loyalty. If there’s a lockout or something stupid, you can leave MLS and never come back. We’d all understand. But you’d be a lot of help to developing players if you were at camp.

41. Dustin Blundell on January 25, 2010 10:12 pm

    Freddie, there is no lockout yet. Where are you at? The team started practice today. You were one of eleven protected from the expansion draft. And we lost a valuable asset in Seba. How about you show Seattle some real respect and get back and work with the team until this lockout happens or not. You are still under contract. Be a leader.

42. LAUREN SELLER on January 25, 2010 10:59 pm

    FREDDIE HAS DISAPPOINTMENTS, thought you were different and a professional, but I was wrong,. After all the love and support that gives you the Sounders fan, you did not show in the first practice in Tukwila, and I think it will never again by Seattle, FREDDIE You have mocked your teammates, Sigi Schmid AND ALL THE Sounders. You made THE SAME WAY THAT THE FAILURE OF DAVID BECKHAM. GOOD LUCK IN EUROPE IF YOU CHOOSE WILL PLAY THERE. But if you return the United States not be welcome.

43. JESSICA PARKER on January 25, 2010 11:54 pm

    FREDDIE RETURNS TO SEATTLE PLEASE YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL AND FULFILL YOUR PROMISE YOU MUST PLAY A MORE YEAR FOR SOUNDERS.
    Did not DISSAPOINT ALL YOUR FANS IN SEATTLE.
    COME BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

44. Tyler Jorgensen on January 26, 2010 2:31 am

    Hey man, I respect you a lot, you gave 100% every moment on the pitch. You passion for the game and for winning was awesome. Now its time for you to step up and respect your teammates, coaches and fans. I understand you not wanting to come back unless a CBA outcome is positive, but you should be at practice until it is final. You should be giving 100% with your team right now for this week. If the CBA turns out poorly, then leave (if the team gives permission. You signed a contract. When people in the real world sign a contract they have to fulfill it, now do your job. Thanks.

45. derekyoung on January 26, 2010 2:45 am

    I can’t begin to express my disappointment that you weren’t in camp today. I hope you find what you’re looking for in Europe, but I’m not happy you broke your contract obligations and lied to your supporters.

    Perhaps with your next team you should not make up stories and things will go better.

46. RabidSounder on January 26, 2010 10:10 am

    I understand your desire to play again at a higher level, but don’t professional athletes ever just honor their contracts anymore? You should be at training camp with your teammates. Your agent can still be speaking with other teams and if the CBA breaksdown and their is a lookout, you could still be placed on loan.

    Seattle took a chance on you with your injury history, and then when it appears they helped you solve that problem you seem to be ready to bolt.

47. Ann Ortiz on January 26, 2010 11:33 am

    I am a new season ticket holder and one of the main reasons why I chose to become a holder is because the two games I went to last year was awesome and seeing you play made it so we had to be a ST Holder. I was hooked after the first game, Seattle has the best fans and I knew I had to be here this year for more than two games. Even though I live 4 hours from Seattle I will be there for every game. Forks has alot of Hispanic soccer players and fans and If they had a taste of one game I am sure there will be more fans coming to games such as I am.

48. Berrak Oğur on February 10, 2010 5:06 pm

    Freddieeee PLEASE come to Turkey GALATASARAY as a player!!!!:) omg i guess i adore you