Speaking about MLS with Montero
Exciting Sounders FC rookie talks about his debut season, adjusting
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Fredy Montero: The title contenders are the Galaxy, the Chicago Fire, the Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC
Eight months following your arrival in MLS, how are you and how does Fredy Montero feel?
"Very good. I have been able to adapt well to the league and, over time, my development has been noticeable. I am happy -- I feel comfortable with the team I am on, with my teammates, with the trust that the coaching staff has given me and, especially, with the type of season we have had until now."
How special is it to you that you have already earned the affection of the passionate Seattle fans, who consider you a symbol of the team?
"It's the most gratifying thing a player can achieve. To come to a totally unknown city and slowly show yourself and what you can do, to practically win over the fans' hearts and become a symbol of the team, is something that fills me with joy. I thank God for everything I'm currently experiencing."
Do the Seattle fans, who live for soccer and are very intense, motivate you?
"It's wonderful for a player. It's something you dream about. It motivates you to win games, to leave your last drop of sweat on the field, to win every ball you fight for out there, to score goals for all those fans that go to the games. It is nice, and it's the closest there is to playing a Champions League game in Europe. Playing in Seattle is amazing. The Open Cup championship we recently won is for the fans, for all their support throughout the season."
Speaking of titles, you won a championship in the debut season for both yourself and the club in MLS. How did you find that experience?
"It was something wonderful to start off winning a championship in my first international experience, not only for me but for my family as well. In a good overall effort, both the team and I played well. The U.S. [Open] Cup championship we won helped us realize that we are not just an expansion team in the MLS, but a team that, looking at the quality of players we have, can contend for the MLS Cup in the playoffs."
Did you enjoy this title as much as finishing in second place with Atlético Huila in 2007 or when you won the scoring title playing for Deportivo Cali in 2008?
"I enjoyed it even more because I was yearning for a championship. I had the chance in Colombia when I was the top goal scorer (2007) and the team finished in second place. I was then top goal scorer in 2008, but was not able to reach the finals. This time I won a championship, and I am happy because God is blessing me year after year and day after day. I feel that I am growing both as a player and as a person."
Many experienced players that have come to MLS have gone through a long adaptation period before consolidating themselves in the league. Why has your success been immediate?
"I believe it's a mix of youth and desire. When you leave your country for something else, my beliefs are to keep on going and always leave a mark, wherever I may be, that can help me achieve bigger and better things at any given moment. I feel that this new step is an important one for my professional career and my life in general."
How important has the support of coach Sigi Schmid been to you throughout the season?
"Very important. He has been like a father to me, even though we do not speak the same language. I am very thankful to him for giving me his trust and confidence match after match. He has supported me at all times, both him and everybody on the Seattle Sounders coaching staff."
What does Fredy Montero do differently than other strikers?
"I believe that a game where I don't touch the ball much, where I don't have many scoring chances, where I don't have many shots on goal, is a bad thing even though I might end up scoring a goal. Before a striker, I consider myself to be a player that connects well with my teammates, creates scoring chances and assists on goals. I am a player first, then a striker."
What do experienced players such as Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg contribute to the team?
"We feel constant support from them at all times, especially us younger players that are a part of this short history of the Seattle Sounders. We all know about their careers and the number of international games they have under their belts, both with their club teams and with their national teams. This experience makes it easy to understand them, easy to know how they play and, of course, we have to show them great respect. On the field we know that everybody is giving their best effort for the team; we are like brothers, always defending the same jersey."
Brothers at the same level as Jhon Kennedy Hurtado?
"Yes (laughs). He is my brother on and off the field. It has been something special to be able to share this new experience for both of us, on this team, being the two players who have played the most games. We are giving Colombia a good name so that in the future young players like us can have the opportunity to make it to MLS so that it keeps growing over time."
What makes MLS unique?
"What I like about MLS is its competitive style; it is a game of aggressiveness and force. Referees don't stop the game that much, like they do in other leagues, and that makes it more entertaining because the attacks are continuous and this allows defenders to show what they bring to the table as well."
Should Seattle Sounders FC be considered the revelation of MLS?
"Well ... people were not expecting it. I've asked my teammates who were on expansion teams before, and more experienced teams always thought that playing the new teams assured them three points beforehand. Seattle has shown throughout the season that it has good players that want to keep on surprising the other teams, and what better way to do it than by winning the Open Cup."
The team is currently in third place in the Western Conference with 38 points, which practically puts you in the playoffs. How would you analyze the competition in the playoffs?
"It's a totally different tournament than the 30 games we'll play before. It is played with a lot of intelligence, to not give anything away, to be effective when scoring chances come along. They will be different types of games, games in which strategy rises above everything else."
Do you think you guys have a chance at raising MLS Cup?
"We dream about it and we are all aiming for that goal. We know it is not easy, but we have the players, we have the support of the coaching staff and front office, and we have our fans' support. That is the most important thing at this time."
Which teams do you think are candidates to win the MLS Cup?
"With all due respect to the MLS teams, I believe that the strongest candidates to win the championship are the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Chicago Fire, the Columbus Crew and the Seattle Sounders."
Your strong performance in MLS has helped you get called up to the Colombian national team many times. Do you now aim to consolidate yourself at a national team level?
"I really hope so! I have a lot of faith in myself, as well as a great desire. Jorge Luis Pinto called me up for the first time in 2007 and this year I have already been called up various times by Eduardo Lara."
Having experience with this group, how do you think Colombia will end the qualifying phase for the World Cup?
"There is one thing that is clear: we have to do our job by winning the remaining games and then put our faith in God for the other results we need. If the results end up going our way, it would be of no use if we let any points escape. We first have to focus on our objective, which is beating Chile, and then wait to see the outcomes of the other matches."
Knowing that Colombia has players in important leagues all around the world, what is the problem at the national level?
"It is a very delicate subject because the players called up are constantly changing. The current Colombian national team renovation process is blending experience with youth, which has been an important change. Colombia has played good games in which it did not come out on top, as well as bad games in which it has won. The game of soccer is unpredictable; the Colombian national team has quality players with good skills, in a good overall environment. Let's hope that things go the right way in these next two games."
For Hispanic Heritage Month, what message would you give to fellow Colombians and the Latino community in general in this country who struggle for better times?
"I wish them the greatest of success, no doubt, to believe in themselves and their capabilities, and have faith in God because he makes everything possible."
