Its been a difficult time. The potential strike that is happening in US soccer has made every player worry about their career’s and where they will be playing next season…. It’s been a big surprise how long the negotiations have been going on and no agreement has been reached.

All that the players are asking for is FIFA RIGHTS!! Every football player in the world that I know of plays under those rules, big or small leagues. So when I thought an agreement would be signed in a second…How wrong was I…..

A lot of very good clubs in Europe has shown an interest in me this winter and that is always a nice feeling and very flattering. I also want to say that I have handled this situation with the respect and dignity that the Seattle fans deserve. I don’t believe that players should look to manufacture moves to other clubs by involving the media, as this is disrespectful to their club and fans. I hope you understand that this situation was out of my control but I can say that I am truly happy that it has been resolved and I will be returning to Seattle.

Personally I’ve never been close to be in this situation in my life. Very confusing. Reality is that I’m 32 years old.. I cant on a personal note sit out a year and not play, I love the game and want to play my last years of my career, especially when so many great clubs have shown an interest and I’m grateful to them.

I can say that the reason I missed training this week was because of a communication error due to the business discussions. I had by this point already committed to playing with the Sounders next year, which I am very excited about.

I’m very grateful to all the clubs who have shown a great interest in my services but as I’ve always said I want to go back to America and play for Seattle. Based on the latest news I’ve heard from both sides,  there wont be a lock out or strike on Feb 1. So from Feb 1 I will be with my team in Seattle trying to help them become the best team in America.

I CAN HAPPILY SAY THAT IT FEELS VERY NICE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP MY WORD. SORRY THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH SPECULATION

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my great fans for their support during this time both in letters and here on the internet.

//F

Just reading in Seattle Times that SSFC coaches doesnt know about my arrival, which surprises me.

Yesterday morning, before the Sounders FCs training we agreed with GM Adrian Hanauer about my future.

Just wanted to give u guys an update, more info to you will follow shortly.

Thanks // 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

Arrived in Houston and have just been training at the stadium and noticed that they have the American football lines on the pitch.

I think it is an absolute disgrace that the League allows this!

They had it once before in New England and I didn’t have a clue where I was because you use the line and midfield line to know where you are on the pitch. When lines is everywhere you don’t know when to shot or do anything, -it is a massive problem!

Anyway, great weather down here and not as hot as last time and they think it will stay around 75 for the game. When we played here during the regular season it was over a 100. Heard that the game is sold out at around 27,000 and that a lot of Sounders fans is supposed to have traveled down here, so I am really excited to see what kind of atmosphere you guys will be able to create.

Houston defended well in the last game but will for sure be coming out being more offensive in this game which will open up a lot of chances for us. We have played well down here before and should have won with a couple of goals but missed a lot, like an open goal chance, so this time we need to play a lot better with more speed in our passes as it is a smaller pitch and get better results on all our chances. If we do this the game will be ours.

I feel great and the whole team is geared up and positive so I hope it will be enjoyable to watch.

// F

Photo: Sounders.com

Woke up Friday feeling really disappointed after the game as it unfortunately developed as I predicted.

The rules here in the MLS motivates the away team in the first leg to play for a draw and not to play an offensive game which of course is not at all entertaining to watch. But that’s the rules we have to accept and hopefully we can offer a better game in Houston.

Anyway, we had a lot of chances to win the game with crossbar shots and goal line saves by the Houston goalie that we should have scored on but this was a real tight and typical playoff game and how football is sometimes.

There has been a lot of discussions and complaints about the refereeing after the game. I am just going to leave it as it is for now, but I am sure of that the people dealing with these kind of issues will do so in this case.

Looking forward to Houston!

//Freddie

We are proud to present the following news.

//Claes Elefalk, agent
CAA Sports

——————————

PRESS RELEASE

NEW YORK (Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009) – Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Freddie Ljungberg was voted Major League Soccer’s Player of the Month for October. Ljungberg recorded four assists while leading Seattle to a 3-0-0 record during the month, and a place a berth in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Seattle entered the final month of the season with a 9-7-11 record and balanced precariously on the playoff bubble.  With Ljungberg leading the charge, the Sounders rallied for nine points finished as the third seed in the Western Conference bracket. Ljungberg is the first Swedish player to win MLS Player of the Month. As it is a regular-season honor, this is the last MLS Player of the Month in 2009.

After defeating the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Oct. 3, the Sounders traveled to Kansas City on Oct. 17 in need of a victory.  Down 2-1 early in the second half to the Wizards, Ljungberg led a Sounders attack that netted two goals in the final 25 minutes of play to capture the win and put Kansas City’s slim playoff hopes to bed. Ljungberg found a streaking Nate Jaqua in the middle of the penalty box in the 76th minute for the game-winner.

Seattle hosted FC Dallas on Oct. 24 in a do-or-die game for the Texas club. FC Dallas struck first when Atiba Harris fired a shot from 22 yards out that gave Dallas a 1-0 lead.  With the home crowd behind them, Seattle rebounded for two goals in the second half.  First Ljungberg wriggled out of pressure on the left flank and sent a cross to Fredy Montero, who slid to dish to Nate Jaqua for a tap-in goal. In the 85th minute, Ljungberg, the Swedish star recorded his second assist of the game when he found Brad Evans at the near post for a close range strike that sealed the victory.

Seattle finished the season 12-7-11 with 47 points and will face the Houston Dynamo on Thursday night at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes) in Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal series. Ljungberg, who finished the regular season with two goals and nine assists, will look to break through a Dynamo defense that allowed a league-low 29 goals this season.  Ljungberg has recorded one assist in his three previous meetings with the Dynamo. Kickoff for the first game of the home-and-home series is tonight at 10:25 p.m. ET at Qwest Field.

The Major League Soccer Player of the Month is selected following the last regular season game of each month by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.