ISSUE 13 | JUNE 2018
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IN THIS ISSUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RYAN KRASNOO
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR TY KREFT ASSISTANT EDITORS ROBERT CASNER ALEX CAULFIELD DANNY CIACCIO KELLY SCHUTZ MATT WINTER
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CLOSER LOOK
The Sounders welcome the Special Olympics, Seattle shows its pride and Román Torres and Gustav Svensson battle in the FIFA World Cup.
2018 SCHEDULE
Catch up on where we've been and see what lies ahead
COVER ILLUSTRATOR DAN LEYDON CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS MIKE FIECHTNER JANE GERSHOVICH CORKY TREWIN LINDSEY WASSON QUINN WIDTH CHARIS WILSON GETTY IMAGES USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES REUTERS
11 MEET THE TEAM
Get to know a little bit about your 2018 Sounders FC First Team
14 HOW SWEDE IT IS
Gustav Svensson is ready for the big stage at the World Cup
WORDS BY ARI LILJENWALL
24 PANAMANIA
At long last, Román Torres and Panama are World Cup-bound
WORDS BY RYAN KRASNOO
© 2018 BY MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER, LLC AND SEATTLE SOCCER, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF SEATTLE SOCCER, LLC IS PROHIBITED. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 159 SOUTH JACKSON, SUITE 200 SEATTLE, WA 98104 887-MLS-GOAL SOUNDERSFC.COM
34 WORLD CUP FAST FACTS
Get the lowdown on Sweden and Panama’s World Cup teams
36 10 QUESTIONS: GUSTAV SVENSSON
Midfielder Gustav Svensson opens up about Bryan Meredith and Nouhou
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CLOSER LOOK
MAY 23, 2018
Sounders FC hosts Special Olympics signing day in The NINETY, as teams from Kent and Vancouver, Wash., join the club.
JUNE 12, 2018
A custom Sounders FC scarf celebrating Pride Month hangs in the net at CenturyLink Field.
JUNE 18, 2018
Román Torres clears a ball away from Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku during Panama’s opening match in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
JUNE 18, 2018
Gustav Svensson challenges South Korea’s Lee Jae-sung during Sweden’s opening match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Svensson played the final nine minutes in Sweden’s 1-0 win.
2018 SCHEDULE DATE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 THURSDAY, MARCH 1 SUNDAY, MARCH 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 18 SATURDAY, MARCH 31 SUNDAY, APRIL 15 SUNDAY, APRIL 22 SUNDAY, APRIL 29 SATURDAY, MAY 5 WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 SUNDAY, MAY 13 SATURDAY, MAY 26 SATURDAY, JUNE 2 SATURDAY, JUNE 9 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 SATURDAY, JUNE 23 SATURDAY, JUNE 30 WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 SATURDAY, JULY 7 SUNDAY, JULY 15 SATURDAY, JULY 21 WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 SUNDAY, JULY 29 SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
OPPONENT
SANTA TECLA FC SANTA TECLA FC LAFC FC DALLAS MONTREAL IMPACT SPORTING KC MINNESOTA UNITED FC LAFC COLUMBUS CREW TORONTO FC PORTLAND TIMBERS REAL SALT LAKE REAL SALT LAKE D.C. UNITED NEW YORK RED BULLS CHICAGO FIRE PORTLAND TIMBERS COLORADO RAPIDS NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION ATLANTA UNITED FC VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES NEW YORK CITY FC MINNESOTA UNITED FC FC DALLAS LA GALAXY PORTLAND TIMBERS SPORTING KC VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC PHILADELPHIA UNION LA GALAXY COLORADO RAPIDS HOUSTON DYNAMO ORLANDO CITY SC HOUSTON DYNAMO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
TIME
WATCH ON
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 4:30 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:30 PM 6:00 PM 4:30 PM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 7:30 PM 2:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:30 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 4:00 PM 1:00 PM 7:30 PM 4:30 PM 2:00 PM 1:30 PM
GO90 GO90 ESPN JOETV JOETV ESPN ESPN FS1 JOETV FS1 ESPN JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV FOX JOETV JOETV FOX JOETV JOETV ESPN JOETV FS1 ESPN FS1 JOETV JOETV JOETV FS1 JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV
RESULT L
1-2
W
4-0
L
0-1
L
0-3
L
0-1
D
2-2
W
3-1
L
0-1
D
0-0
W
2-1
L
0-1
L
0-1
L
0-2
W
2-1
L
1-2
MATCH DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ALL TIME PACIFIC. MORE INFO AT SOUNDERSFC.COM/SCHEDULE. STREAM ALL MATCHES LIVE ON YOUTUBE TV 11
A: JET SKIING
TONY ALFARO
#15 | DEFENDER
OSVALDO ALONSO #6 | MIDFIELDER
CALLE BROWN
#25 | GOALKEEPER
A: A GOOD BRUNCH
MAGNUS WOLFF EIKREM
WAYLON FRANCIS
STEFAN FREI
KIM KEE-HEE
BRYAN MEREDITH
JORDAN MORRIS
LAMAR NEAGLE
VÍCTOR RODRÍGUEZ
NOUHOU
ROMÁN TORRES
HENRY WINGO
#22 | MIDFIELDER
#35 | GOALKEEPER
#5 | DEFENDER
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#90 | DEFENDER
#13 | FORWARD
#29 | DEFENDER
#24 | GOALKEEPER
#27 | FORWARD
#23 | MIDFIELDER
#20 | DEFENDER
#8 | MIDFIELDER
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OFF-DAY ACTIVITY IN THE SUMMER?
A: GO TO THE BEACH
A: FISHING
WILL BRUIN
HANDWALLA BWANA
JORDY DELEM
CLINT DEMPSEY
KELVIN LEERDAM
NICOLÁS LODEIRO
CHAD MARSHALL
JORDAN MCCRARY
ALEX ROLDAN
HARRY SHIPP
GUSTAV SVENSSON
#17 | FORWARD
#18 | DEFENDER
#70 | MIDFIELDER
#10 | MIDFIELDER
#21 | MIDFIELDER
#2 | FORWARD
#14 | DEFENDER
#30 | DEFENDER
A: VIDEO GAMES W/ FRIENDS!
CRISTIAN ROLDAN #7 | MIDFIELDER
#16 | MIDFIELDER
TECHNICAL STAFF
#19 | MIDFIELDER
#4 | MIDFIELDER
BRIAN SCHMETZER
DAMIAN RODEN
DJIMI TRAORE
RAVI RAMINENI
GENERAL MANAGER & PRESIDENT OF SOCCER
GONZALO PINEDA
JOHN HUTCHINSON
CHRIS HENDERSON
PREKI
WADE WEBBER
TOM DUTRA
MARC NICHOLLS
GARTH LAGERWEY
VP OF SOCCER & SPORTING DIRECTOR
HEAD COACH
ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT COACH
CLUB DIRECTOR OF GOALKEEPING
HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF SOCCER ANALY TICS S2 HEAD COACH
S2 ASSISTANT COACH DIRECTOR OF PL AYER DEVELOPMENT
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by AR I LI LJ ENW AL L 15
Gustav Svensson thought it was over. When the Swedish midfielder signed with the Seattle Sounders from Guangzhou R&F of the Chinese Super League before the start of the 2017 season, he pretty much accepted that the decision would spell an end to his time with his country’s national team. The well-traveled veteran didn’t have that many caps to begin with — just seven since 2009 — and the move to Major League Soccer created a new set of obstacles to competing at the international level. The first was logistical: Being located in Seattle not only meant daunting travel demands, it also made it more difficult for Sweden’s coaches to keep close tabs on his form. The second was practical: Sweden had a new coach, Janne Andersson, who Svensson didn’t know very well, and who he figured would be inclined to give more minutes to younger players. On top of all that, it wasn’t even a certainty that he would be afforded a starter’s role or consistent minutes with the Sounders. A defensive midfielder by trade, Seattle already had what seemed to be an entrenched
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first-choice pairing at his position in franchise stalwart Osvaldo Alonso and future cornerstone Cristian Roldan. Although Svensson is also capable of playing on the back line, his role figured to be rotational at best, and the reality was there might not be enough minutes to go around for him to prove that he should be getting more international caps.
winning goal against the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference Championship to send Seattle back to MLS Cup.
“When I moved here to Seattle, I almost left the thought about the national team,” Svensson recalled before departing for Sweden’s World Cup camp.
Then came a phone call from Andersson, who had been taking note.
International soccer can be a fickle beast that way, though. Excel at the club level and you never know what can happen. For Svensson, all he needed was a chance. From virtually the first minute of the 2017 preseason, Svensson emerged as one of Seattle’s undisputed most important players. Injuries thrust him into a starting role in the defensive midfield, and occasionally at center back, almost immediately. He soaked up minutes like a sponge and thrived with the opportunity. He played in 32 of the team’s 34 regularseason matches and started 30. He even scored what proved to be the series-
On a Sounders team that has been heavily reliant on Alonso over the years — at times almost to a fault — Svensson proved indispensable, providing the best cover the team has had for Alonso in its MLS era.
“I was very surprised but obviously very happy that he called me,” Svensson said. “The first communication I had with him was if he thought I could manage the time difference and the travel because that’s not easy. He asked me what I thought about that and, of course, I said that it wouldn’t be an issue. And it’s not an issue. It’s hard but it’s manageable.” Improbably, Svensson found himself very much back in the national team fold. If Sweden had bowed out of World Cup qualifying with a whimper, it’s doubtful many people would have said much about it. Superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic retired from international play following
I think that no one back home thought that we were going to go through. G U STAV SVENSSON
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team-oriented and defensively sound style under Andersson and without Ibrahimovic, Sweden made a run. On June 9, 2017, Sweden bagged a shocking 2-1 victory over a France side that consistently features one of the most talented rosters on the international stage. The Blågult finished second in their group, ahead of the Netherlands on goal differential, affording them a twoleg playoff that pitted them against Italy, another traditional powerhouse that has won the World Cup four times and as recently as 2006, with a World Cup bid on the line. But sure enough, Sweden knocked off the Azzurri to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006. “I think no one back home thought that we were going to go through,” Svensson said. Playing against an Italian side rife with world-class attacking talent, a scoreless draw in the first leg in Solna, Sweden, would have been a phenomenal result heading into the second leg in Milan’s storied San Siro Stadium. Swedish midfielder Jakob Johansson did one better, though, firing home an improbable deflected go-ahead tally from 20 yards out that the Italians couldn’t equalize, sealing a 1-0 final in the first leg.
the 2016 UEFA European Championship, leaving the team without its all-time leading goalscorer and one of the icons of the sport. They hadn’t qualified in the previous two cycles, and after they drew an UEFA qualifying group that included traditional powerhouses France and the Netherlands, Sweden was an afterthought in the minds of most pundits. But the Swedes quickly showed they would not back down easily. Playing a more
In order to win the playoff, Sweden needed to pass one more survival test: Protect a 1-0 lead on the road for 90 minutes in an incredibly hostile road environment and pull of one of the most monumental upsets in World Cup qualifying history. In a defensive performance for the ages, Sweden did exactly that, fighting to the most important scoreless draw in the nation’s footballing history. After Johansson went down in the second leg with a torn ACL in the 19th minute, Svensson subbed on and played a crucial role for the duration of the match in preserving the clean sheet. All told, he racked up four caps during Sweden’s qualifying cycle. 21
SCARVES UP! LIKE, 30,000 FEET UP. OFFICIAL AIRLINE
He was on the field for the iconic moment that followed the final whistle and was even pictured sharing a postgame word and embrace with legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Svensson later described the atmosphere at San Siro that night as one of the best in which he’s ever had the opportunity to play.
“It’s hard to say [my role],” Svensson said. “As a team, I think going through the first group is what everybody expects and hopes we’ll do. For me, individually, of course I would love to play as many minutes as possible. But if I don’t, I’m going to be supportive and make sure my teammates are as ready as possible.”
“It’s hard to put into words,” Svensson said. “It’s pure joy, pure happiness, especially when you play for a team that works really, really hard for each other. We’re very close, on and off the pitch. It’s a very good feeling to do something that no one thought we would do, and that we did it together as a group.
If the Swedes are to make a World Cup run, they’ll have to beat the odds again to do so. Their Group F opposition once again includes powerhouse countries that will give Sweden all it can handle, including perennial favorite Germany and a Mexico team that is the best in North America. Even the least-pedigreed team in the group, South Korea, figures to be a worthy adversary.
“Everybody [in Sweden] is very happy that we did,” he added. “They’re still talking about the Italy game, about how we’re going to the World Cup.” Meanwhile, Svensson has continued to thrive for the Sounders. He is off to an equally strong start in 2018, playing his customary lockdown defense and even bagging one of the highlight-reel goals of the Sounders’ season so far with a firsthalf golazo from distance in a 3-1 victory over Minnesota United on April 22. It remains to be seen exactly what role Svensson will play for Sweden in Russia this summer, but he said his hope is to compete for as many minutes as possible. Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer made the decision to release Svensson from the club earlier than he had to in May in order to give him a chance to fight for meaningful time on the pitch.
For Svensson, though, it’s a challenge he and his countrymen are relishing. In a way, the country’s collective journey to the World Cup is analogous of Svensson’s individual road to this moment. No one thought they would be here to begin with. Now, it’s up to them to make the most of the opportunity. “It’s a weird feeling that you’re ready to do everything you can,” Svensson said. “You’re ready to run until you die for your team. But of course, it’s going to be even more when you play for your national team, when you play in the World Cup and you know the entire world is watching, and you know how much it means for the country and for your teammates and for everyone around the team. It’s a great feeling, so hopefully I’m not too nervous. Hopefully that turns into ambition and motivation.”
“I felt that was only fair,” Schmetzer said at the time. “I made the decision to let him go because the World Cup is a big deal. And I want Gustav to be able to be a starter in some World Cup games for Sweden. I think he deserves that. I think he has earned that right.” For his part, Svensson said he’s trying to approach the situation with the same pragmatic mindset he had before he worked his way back into the international picture.
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by RYAN K RA S N O O
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Román Torres’ body has blossomed into a mural of successes. After scoring the decisive penalty kick in MLS Cup 2016 to lead the Seattle Sounders to their first league title, Torres commemorated the moment on his leg with a tattoo of himself lifting the trophy. Since scoring the game-winning goal last fall against Costa Rica on the final day of qualifying to send Panama to their first FIFA World Cup in the Central American nation’s history, he’s added two pieces: one of the World Cup trophy and one of the time — 87:13 — that he scored against Costa Rica. Perhaps only Egypt’s Mohamed Salah enters the 2018 World Cup in Russia as such an important figurehead and catalyst of his respective country. But while Salah is often reserved and reflective, Torres is gregarious and outspoken, embracing the moment with as much gusto as he approaches everything. “It means a lot to represent my country at the World Cup,” Torres said in Spanish ahead of departing for Panama’s camp. “It’s something historic that Panama classified for the World Cup for the first time. The truth is it’s a proud moment for me as a Panamanian to represent my country. I’m enjoying it because it’s something that we’ve been searching for for many years. I thank God for the possibility of me going to the World Cup.” As captain and a veteran of nearly 100 caps for Los Canaleros, Torres will bear much of the weight on his shoulders throughout the tournament. It won’t be easy either. Panama is nestled in Group G with massive football nations in England and Belgium, as well as upstart Tunisia. Torres knows that to advance to the Knockout Round would 27
be an incredible accomplishment, and he comprehends the magnitude of the task facing him and his teammates. Belgium and England, in particular, stand in Panama’s way of getting out of the group stage, and they each boast some of the most talented attacking players in the world, all of whom ply their trade in some of the world’s most prestigious leagues. The names read like an All-Star team: Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford, Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Borussia Dortmund’s Michy Batshuayi,
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne. The list goes on. “It’s an important group in front of us,” said Torres. “We’re preparing physically and mentally to prepare for these other national teams, and the truth is Belgium, England and Tunisia have important players, and we have to have maximum concentration to be an organized and compact team.” Torres doesn’t have to look too far for how to approach a World Cup appearance as
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an underdog. Fellow CONCACAF team Costa Rica made an unbelievable run four years ago and advanced all the way to the quarterfinals. Los Ticos were all but written off before the tournament started when they were dealt a group that featured powers Italy, Uruguay and England. They not only won the group, but then defeated Greece in penalty kicks in the Round of 16 in one of the more dramatic matches of the entire tournament. “The goal of Panama is to enjoy the World Cup and have a good performance,” said Torres. “We are mentally prepared to have a good World Cup. Costa Rica did well in their World Cup. I believe we can do the same as Costa Rica did. We have the players and the capacity to have a good World Cup.” Torres stressed enjoying the experience and relishing the moment on several occasions. This is bigger than football. The team was honored before its departure by the Panamanian government. Torres himself had a stadium named after him to honor his performance and his stewardship for Panamanian football. He can’t even walk outside in Panama City without being stopped by fans congratulating him and wishing him good luck.
“Today, I’m the role model of many kids,” he said. “Many kids want to be like me or some other players on the national team. When I go out in the street, many people want to talk to me, want to take a photo, and it’s very motivating.”
When I go out in the street, many people want to talk to me, and it's very motivating. ROMÁN TO RRES
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I believe a lot of people will cry and I think I am going to be one of them. ROMÁN TO RRES The sentiment of the milestone isn’t lost on Torres either. He said it’s going to be emotional hearing the Panamanian national anthem play at the World Cup for the first time. “I believe a lot of people will cry,” Torres said candidly. It will certainly be a memorable moment for Torres, who worked hard himself to ensure he was at full strength ahead of the tournament. He spent several weeks in Colombia with his own personal doctor rehabbing a hamstring injury, but is healthy and feeling good. Torres started in a 1-0 pre-World Cup friendly loss in Oslo against Norway on
June 6. He went 58 minutes in the team’s final tune-up before opening against Belgium at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi on June 18. However Panama’s World Cup journey goes, though, it won’t soon be forgotten by Torres, Panama’s four million residents or other Panamanians around the world. Torres has their support, as long with his own family, with whom he’s incredibly excited to share this experience. “My family is my biggest motivation,” said Torres. “My kids, my mom. It’s something that gives me a lot of motivation that they’re with me and always supporting me.”
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WORLD CUP FAST FACTS
Los Canaleros NI CK NAME
MOST GOAL S
42 2018
(LUIS TEJ ADA/BL A S PÉREZ)
MOST CAPS GABRIEL GÓMEZ 143
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FI RST W O RL D C U P
55 FI FA RA N KI N G
24 12
F IFA R AN KIN G
NI C K NAME
W OR LD CUP A PP EAR A N C ES
(INCLUDING 2018)
M O ST CA P PE D P L AY E R
Blågult MOST GOALS ZL ATAN IBRAHIMO VIC (62)
Anders Svensson (148 CAPS)
MANAGER J ANNE ANDERSSON (S WEDEN)
FI RST W O RL D C U P
1934 (MOST RECENT: 2006)
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GUSTAV SVENSSON SIGNED WITH SEATTLE BEFORE THE START OF THE 2017 MLS SEASON AND HAS BEEN A KEY COG EVER SINCE. THE 31-YEAR-OLD SWEDE RODE HIS SOUNDERS SUCCESS TO A WORLD CUP ROSTER SPOT THIS SUMMER.
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01. MY NAME IS
02. MY NICKNAME IS
03. I WISH MY NICKNAME WAS
04. MY SECRET TALENT IS
05. MY TEAMMATE WITH THE BEST FASHION GAME IS
06. STEFAN FREI MAKES ME L AUGH WHEN HE
07. SEATTLE'S TRAFFIC MAKES ME WANT TO
08. MY PET PEEVE IS
09. I HAVE AN EXTREME FEAR OF
10. NOUHOU REMINDS ME OF
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