Seattle Sounders have had a very poor striking combination in the form of Obafemi Martins and Eddie Johnson. Even though the duo have certainly not been good, the club are planning to stick with the partnership according to the latest interview given by manager Sigi Schmid. He has said that he believes Martins and Johnson complement each other well and they will eventually come good. The arrival of Clint Dempsey has certainly given a huge threat to the duo since the former Fulham and Tottenham player is capable of playing as a striker.

In the nine matches that Martins and Johnson have played together, they have contributed just five goals and one assist. Despite this poor form of the strikers, Seattle Sounders are currently top of the table. They can substantially increase clear advantage to 6 points if they win the two matches in hand over Real Salt Lake. After managing the 1-1 draw with LA Galaxy, which was a game that Dempsey missed due to injury, Schmid said that there were not many combinations between the two strikers, but they are improving with every minute.

Former Newcastle United striker Martins has a great reputation of scoring goals, but he has so far failed to produce magic at Seattle Sounders.

“I thought last game was better than the game before. The game in LA there wasn’t a lot of combinations. The last game there were a lot of combinations. I think it’s something that, with game time, it improves all the time. That combination can work when we play that combination. When Clint [Dempsey] gets into the mix, it changes things up again,” said the manager about the striking options at the club. Seattle Sounders have another big match in the form of a home encounter against New York Red Bulls in the next match.

The summer transfer window will be closing in the next few days for MLS clubs, and Seattle Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer has revealed that he is still hoping to bring in a few new names into the door. Hanauer is one of the experienced members in his role, and he has said that he would not take any transfer for granted unless it is signed the contract. He has said that the club this actively looking at a couple of players, but he is not willing to give too much away because of the fear that the deal may fall through.

Fredy Montero was recently involved in a transfer to Sporting CP. It was reported by Seattle Sounders as a loan deal, but many of the Portuguese media are reporting it as a full transfer.

Hanauer has clarified this situation by saying that it is technically a loan move, but from a structural point of view, it is a full transfer. The league is still working out on the deal according to Hanauer, who has failed to disclose the details of the money that will be exchanging hands. Seattle Sounders have some salary cap still available, which will permit them to bring in a couple of names.

“We are actively pursuing a couple of different angles. But as you guys know by now, it’ll be done when it’s really done — signed, sealed and delivered. I’ve been doing this enough to know that if you’re too confident in this stuff it’ll fall apart on you. I’m hopeful that we’ll get something done, but I think ‘confident’ is a little too aggressive of an adjective. From a practical standpoint, we’re thinking of it as a transfer, but from the technical standpoint, it was structured as a loan,” said the Seattle Sounders general manager.

Seattle Sounders manager Sigi Schmid recently visited the United States national team training session and he has said that it was a thrilling experience. Schmid is no stranger to international football after having been the coach of the US under 20 team a few years ago. He has said that it was delightful to see most of his former staff being involved in the senior set up. The national team is currently managed by former Bayern Munich and Tottenham legend Jurgen Klinsmann, who has come under increasing pressure in recent months due to poor run of results.

The US will be taking on Panama in a World Cup qualifying match, which will be a must win match for the team. Schmid expressed his confidence that they will be able to get the right result against Panama. Schmid has also recalled how players like Tim Howard have been able to make the incredible step up from the under 20 team into the senior team. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is regarded as one of the best in the world and is consistently good goalkeeper in the Premier league. Schmid will be able to look at some of the players he wants to sign in the transfer window as well.

“It was good. I was just out there to watch training and see some friends and all that. Obviously I’ve known Jurgen, and Andy Hertzog played for me, and Martin [Vasquez] was my assistant, and Ivan Pierra was my trainer, and Jesse [Bignami] was my equipment guy with the under-20’s, so there are a lot of people I know. It was good to see all those people and say hello to them. I’ve coached a few of the players,” said the Seattle Sounders manager, whose team are closer to the top of the table now than ever before.