Freddie Ljungberg: The Sounders Solid Man In The Middle

Starting lineups for last Saturday’s match with unbeaten Columbus Crew provided a look into Coach Sigi Schmid’s analytical process with the announcement of a 4-3-3 deployment.

Starting in the center of the row of midfielders was one of soccer’s all-time premier players at the midfield position, Freddie Ljungberg, the 5-9, 162 pounder from Halmstad, Sweden.

The Sounders achieved a major success when Ljungberg was signed as a free agent Designated Player on October 28, 2008. After beginning an impressive career in his hometown for Halmstads BK, where he played between 1994 and 1998, it was on to England and stellar achievement.

Playing for Arsenal in the English Premier League between 1998 and 2007, Ljungberg garnered 72 goals in 328 matches. He was ranked No. 11 on Arsenal’s list of its 50 all-time players and was a winner of two English Premier League championships. He was the 2002 FA Premier League Player of the Year and Sweden’s Player of the Year for 2002 and 2006.

After appearing with West Ham in 2007-2008 Ljungberg ventured across the Atlantic from England to Seattle. New challenges beckoned in the MLS and he was more than capable of surmounting them.

Ljungberg’s 2009 season in the Emerald City was a roaring success as he led the MLS with five game-winning assists. He was selected to the Best XI and MLS All-Star Team. The Swedish midfielder was also a finalist for Newcomer of the Year.

In an effort to step up the attack and surround the triumvirate of speedy forwards consisting of Fredy Montero, Steve Zakuani, and Brad Evans with an experienced hand at midfield known as an assist specialist, Schmid made his move and declared the strategy a success at game’s end.

The Sounders, after all, barely missed a victory against an unbeaten Columbus team.  The host squad registered decisive edges in shots and corner kicks. A late Montero goal was wiped out by a foul as the Sounders came away with a 1-1 tie and looked quick and aggressive on the attacking front.

As for a look into Schmid’s thinking, he said relating to 33-year-old veteran Ljungberg,  “Freddie has the ability to do special things on the field at special times.”

In terms of his achievements this season, Ljungberg assisted on Steve Zakuani's goal in the fourth minute of last Saturday‘s match against Columbus, providing an early spark in accordance with Schmid‘s strategy ploy. He recorded an assist on Tyrone Marshall's goal at Real Salt Lake on April 10, his 10th in the MLS. He took 11 of 12 corner kicks against the New York Red Bulls April 3, setting a new club record for one game.

When activity begins Saturday afternoon at Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field look for the wily and determined veteran Ljungberg to be once more literally and figuratively in the center of the action.