Where Are They Now: Fredy Montero
Nov 18, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero (17) protects the ball from LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham (23) during the 1st half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Fredy Montero. What can we say about Montero?
Every team has a fan favorite. Every supporter has a fan favorite. They aren’t always the same person or may not even play for the team anymore but they always hold a special place in your heart. Fredy Montero is that player for me. I wanted to take a look and see what he has been up to since he left the Seattle Sounders (I already know).
More from MLS
- Coming to America – a game-changer by the name of Lionel Messi
- Lionel Messi set to join MLS side Inter Miami
- Canadian MLS clubs split points in Matchweek 5
- Herrera aims to erase memories of injury-prone debut season
- Matchday 4 Canadian MLS recap
Let me give you a little bit of background on Montero for those of you that don’t know him that well. A year before their 2009 inaugural season, the Sounders had already set their sights on Colombia for a big signing, honing in on Montero, who was the top scorer in the Liga Postobon for both Atletico Huila and Deportivo Cali.
Sounders Sporting Director Chris Henderson had this to say:
"“Every time we’d go see Fredy [on scouting trips], he’d always score. I remember thinking ‘Ok, you can stop scoring goals now. He just kept scoring these incredible goals and we said this is a guy who’d do really well in MLS.”"
It took them awhile but they finally got Montero, initially on a loan that became a permanent move in December of 2010. He became the teams third Designated Player and highest paid player on the team with a base salary of $500,000.
In his MLS debut back on March 19, 2009, he scored the clubs first and third ever goals in the teams’ 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. Montero would go on to win Player of the Week as well as the March Player of the Month. Want to talk about a way to start a career.
Live Feed
MLS Multiplex
In Montero’s first two years with the Sounders, he appeared in 77 matches across all competitions and scored 25 goals. After becoming a DP he appeared in another 87 matches and scored 35 more goals to bring his total to 60 goals in 164 appearances while wearing Rave Green.
Entering the 2013 season there was much speculation as to if Montero would remain a Sounder. There were rumors that he and Eddie Johnson were not working well together. You could see some frustration between the two on the pitch during games. So prior to the 2013 MLS season, Montero was loaned out to Millonarios of Categoria Primera A in Colombia. In 27 appearances he scored ten goals across all competitions.
Montero lasted six months at Millonarios before being loaned out to Sporting CP of Primeira Liga in Portugal. In his first year at his new club, Montero played in 35 matches and scored 16 goals. As of late he has been on an absolute tear for Sporting CP and has been scoring some crazy goals. To see his latest goal he scored for Sporting CP, click here.
Next: 2014 MLS MVP: Why Obafemi Martins Will Win
Fredy comes back to Seattle from time to time. He was most recently back in June of this year when he watched the team train. After he watched them trained, Montero stated he hopes to rejoin the club some day:
"“That’s one of my dreams now. I hope to be back playing for the Sounders. This is my second home, and I’m always happy to come here – always. I feel like I have to go say hi to my old teammates, too.”"
I don’t see that happening anytime soon. He has been playing pretty well as of late and I’m sure that both he and Sporting CP hope he continues the little run he has been on. He had a good run while he was with the Sounders and I hope he lets us remember him for being that player.
I hate to think of Montero coming back at the end of his career and not being the same. Don’t forget that according to Arsene Wenger, MLS is a retirement league.
Until next time my friends.