Sounders Speak: Latest Info On Freddie Ljungberg

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Seattle Sounders midfielder Freddie Ljungberg will soon be with a different MLS team.

Sounders General Manager Adrian Hanauer and Coach Sigi Schmid each attempted to inform the public on what is occurring in a tactful manner in addressing the topic of Ljungberg’s absence at team functions following a period when he was reported to have sustained an ankle injury.

Hanauer and Schmid addressed the Ljungberg situation following Friday’s practice on the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field prior to Sunday night’s Western Conference match between the Sounders and the Colorado Rapids.

As Hanauer exclaimed after practice:

“Freddie at this time he is training by himself, getting healthy, getting fit. We agreed together that it made some sense to keep him away from the club as he is exploring other options.”

Hanauer explored the topic further in noting,  “I don’t think there’s a secret that that’s happening. We just thought it was best to keep this team focused right here on winning on Sunday, let Freddie explore options. As that process plays out, we will take things as they come to us. Again, assuming something does or doesn’t happen in the next week or few days or two weeks, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Hanauer then delivered concluding comments:

“He is looking at other options and he is a fantastic player who has been a great ambassador for this club. He helped us launch an amazing franchise. He is a good guy, someone I consider a friend, and I think the best thing is to let this play out, see what he can find for himself and then, again, cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Sigi Schmid weighed in on the topic as well following practice:

“The decision was it would probably be best right now to get his injury cured up and his ankle, which is doing much better. And while he is exploring those options to keep him out of our training during that period of time so that he can explore those options.

“There wasn’t a risk, obviously in training with a team there’s always a greater risk of injury. There’s not a risk of injury while he is going through that or a risk of making the injury worse. So that’s getting better, that’s there. We wanted to give him some time away. It’s less of a distraction probably for the team and for him at this stage so he can be focused on what he is doing. I think Adrian [Hanauer] said this as well he has been great for this club, what he did his first year and he’s been a great ambassador for the team as well.

“All the players on the team all get along with him. There’s a lot of respect for what he has accomplished and what he’s done. As I have said before, he is a quality player. But for him, he’s got to look at his future and where is the best place to apply his trade as he moves forward into his future.”

Meanwhile, curiosity mounts as to what Freddie Ljungberg’s next move will be.