Loan papers await Fredy Montero's signature

Terra.com reports in their January 5 online addition that Fredy Montero’s signature is all that stands between the player and his move from Seattle Sounders FC to Millionarios of Bogotá, Colombia. Yesterday goalWA.net featured a link to a radio broadcast with Montero’s agent stating he thought Fredy’s days in Seattle were over.

Today Eduardo Silva, a representative from Millionarios is quoted as saying:

“Fredy Montero arrives on loan with an option to buy to play in 2013. They have some clauses so that the player can go mid-year, but as we have not signed anything, we did not set out clearly the conditions (…) The Millionarios desire is that he is around (for all of) 2013. (If) there is any mid-year business and they want to take this into account, then they (Montero’s agent, Sounders) would come and talk to Millonarios to see what the current conditions (of the Millionarios season) are.”

“Everything is reconciled in word, but there are some papers and until they are signed, nothing is certain.” concluded, Eduardo Silva.

Montero is tied to the history of the Major League Soccer Sounders, arriving in January 2009 and scoring the first goal in club history in the flashy debut win over New York in March, 2009.

Fredy has been a love/hate player for some Sounders supporters. He is a highlight reel dream, but disappeared on the bigger stage with no playoff goals in ten matches. Montero scored two goals over four appearances in US Open Cup finals as Seattle won three of four tries.

It seems longer than four years ago that a fresh-faced Montero arrived in Seattle, full of dreams of conquering MLS and moving on to Europe. Over the years Fredy has partnered with a number of strikers for Seattle and linked with various attacking midfielders. There seemed to be an early chemistry and understanding between Montero and Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle’s star defensive midfielder. Less fruitful was the connection between Montero and another Freddie, Ljungberg. The two sometimes seemed at odds over space on the pitch.

2009: Montero scores twice as Seattle wins its MLS debut over New York. (Rick Morrison)

Roger Levesque was a working-man’s forward and provided Montero with cover while also letting Fredy shine in the spotlight as the central attacker. Blaise Nkufo and Montero never really meshed, though both took turns with scoring outbursts. Montero and Mauro Rosales alternated complementing each other and battling for the same space due to Fredy’s penchant to wander towards the midfield. Most recently Eddie Johnson and Montero seemed to be developing a chemistry and realizing what might be the most dynamic Seattle attack yet. Johnson’s nagging injuries slowed the partnership. Before his lengthy injury stint winger Steve Zakuani provided space for Montero to create by adding his driving runs down the left side. Brad Evans showed promising signs of working well with Montero right out of the gate in 2009, though their linking seemed to plateau in recent seasons.

Montero has played 160 matches overall for the Sounders, scoring 60 goals and notching 43 assists in nearly 13,000 minutes played. Fredy and Alonso (also with 13,000) are far and away the most-played Sounders in club history.

Ozzie Alonso is currently on trial with West Ham United.

Montero (left) and Ozzie Alonso are the faces of the MLS Sounders with nearly 13,000 minutes played by each in four seasons. (Rick Morrison)

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