By JOSE M. ROMERO
Blaise Nkufo's play Wednesday in Switzerland's 1-0 stunning World Cup upset of Spain should have Seattle Sounders fans encouraged, even if the Swiss didn't have the ball often.
His settling of a goal kick and subsequent pass ahead help set up Switzerland's goal, and he was dangerous on the counter when Spain was pressing for an equalizer.
Nkufo, wearing No. 10, was active, often forced to drop back into the defensive side of the field in support with Spain dominating possession. At 35 years old and looking quite fit, Nkufo started for Switzerland, played the entire game and was a factor in his team's limited offensive chances.
The Spaniards had to account for Nkufo's good speed and runs down the middle, qualities the Sounders hope to get from the veteran international when he arrives via transfer in the Emerald City next month. In the 69th minute Wednesday, Nkufo positioned himself for a header in front of the goal that might have been on target if not for the disruption from Spain's Carlos Puyol.
In the 74th minute, Nkufo fed teammate Eren Derdiyok with a perfect pass into open space that gave Derdiyok room to fire a shot that hit the post.
Based on observation, it looks like Nkufo will provide the boost that Seattle's offense needs to make some kind of playoff push. He looked to be in good form and fitness, made things happen with the ball despite limited touches and had to be accounted for off the counter-attack. Seattle is lacking a pure scorer that can create his own chances or chances for others, and Nkufo was that on Wednesday.
Nkufo was also in the box defensively for Spain's set pieces, his size and athleticism important in such situations.
Despite a long career with many stops at the club level, Nkufo had yet to appear in a major international tournament for Switzerland, be it because of injury and a disagreement with former manager Jacob Kuhn. His World Cup debut was a unquestionably a success.
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What did you make of Nkufo's performance? Even more excited for him to join MLS?
Share your thoughts below.
@Its not that easy being Green
Le Toux fits well in philly’s system. He’s not the type of striker we need. I completely agree with scott47a we need a guy who can hold up the ball, set up Zakuani and Montero, and be a presence in the box.
I have not seen him play more than a couple of the FC Twente games that were on espn360 and this morning’s game, but from what I have seen I really think he’ll be a player that will fit in well in Seattle.
Bring back Le Toux!
based on that play alone, i’d rather have the guy who set up the initial shot than the guy who gobbled up the leftovers. I’ll take em both actually haha
There’s something to be said for quality players from winning traditions coming to the MLS to finish their careers. He has shown he’s far from done, and if he can impart some of his wisdom on the young players in Seattle, good for them.
The MLS is not a premier league, and I don’t hear anyone arguing that it is. But having quality players like this come in and improve the quality of play while passing on good habits to younger, impressionable players can only be good.
And don’t forget, Seattle is in the Concacaf Champions League, where his experience will be even more valuable.
Seriously?
The guy played in 31 games last season on the best team in the Dutch league and and he is starting on good European National team in the World Cup and assisting on goals.
Can we get Gelson Fernandes instead?
Yea … he’s good. Nice pickup for SEA.
sorry, but you have to watch more than 5 games in MLS to comment
with the way LA is playing, the supporters shield is gone for everyone
haters be hatin
SSFC will always be the brunt of it regardless of our record. I myself can live with where we are right now. Our schedule has yet to get going.. Open Cup yet to start and CCL yet underway.. it’s a long one this year.
With Blaise coming online and Jaqua back in contention the two week break will help us.
Not to mention the health risks when diving on to the turf with fellow teammates Montero and Lljunberg.
Blaise Nkufo is the Jose Romero of strikers !
First time he touched the ball I realized that I liked him more than Montero. He was bumped and didn’t fall down.
Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!
This win for the Swiss really reminded me of USA’s win last year over Spain…I take it that Spain’s chances of winning the cup are all but zero…that is if history is a good indication.
N’Kufo is just another over the hill player retiring in America. Plus with the crap field in Seattle he will most likely get injured. I’ll give him half a season at Seattle before he decides to retire.
Clever.
the season isn’t even half over and the sounders are one win out of a playoff spot. The same playoff spot, might I add, that RSL caught last year. The supporters shield is gone, but we’re right in the mix for the cup. Just gotta get straightened out at the right time.
Seattle isn’t living up to expectations this year, bet they can’t wait for the transfer window to open up.
Probably the 82% 🙂
4 wins 3 draws and 6 losses…Which category do Seattle’s players fall into? The 18% or the 82%?
Couldn’t disagree more. Thought Blaise looked great, especially given what the Swiss were asking him to do. He had a hand in the goal, and could have easily had an assist on that beautiful ball he left for his ‘mate in the 74th. This against Spain, a team that had only lost once in its last 47 matches.
And I don’t know what Sounders fans you hang with, but no one I know is expecting him to challenge for league MVP or anything. But there’s not really any doubt he’ll be a significantly improve our offense.
Probably will but not all of the players suck in the league probably about 82% have no business being on the field.
Should rip apart the Major League of Suckers.
I disagree with this. The one thing the Sounders really need is a striker who stays high at all times. Montero comes back too much into the midfield and often when Zakuani or Ljungberg take off on a wing there is no one in the middle to cross in to. What the Sounders need is a guy who stays high and waits for the attacking play to work through him.
And Steve Zakuani. Nkufo’s ball-holding and distribution skills were great in the limited time the Swiss had the ball.
That skill is something the Sounders don’t have at all. I can see Montero, Zakuani and even Evans running off Nkufo and creating threats.
Hey Jose, thanks for keeping track of the Sounders and continuing to write about them. I really miss your stuff with the Times. However, I can’t say that based on this one game I was that encouraged. He rarely was involved in the buildup play (not that there was much buildup play by the Swiss against Spain), probably touched the ball less than a dozen times and claimed at least a few turnovers.
While he may have speed, it was not on display tonight and he looked very unwilling to contribute at all on defense. Based on this singular performance, I do not think he will come close to meeting the perhaps unreasonably high expectations most Sounders fans have for him.
I’ll wait to see what he has to offer in the coming matches — hopefully he shows more then.
Seattle really need this guy to keep their fans happy. I suspect he will be a great addition to the Sounders and the league.
My first impression of him is that he will make Montero look very good. He posted up well and played his partner in for the goal and for the chance that hit the post. He’s definitely the physical presence the Sounders need up front. Anxious to see him in the next two games – just need him to stay healthy.