Since rejoining MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2017 (then again this season), one opponent has always seen the best of Fredy Montero: The Seattle Sounders.
The Colombian has scored three goals in as many regular season matches against the Whitecaps' Cascadia rival, much to the dismay of the fans who once chanted his name so vociferously.
On Saturday (10 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, TSN in Canada), Montero will get his first chance in 2019 to face his former club again. Unlike in 2017, when Montero scored a brace in his first start against the then-reigning champions, the Sounders have started fast.
Seattle have taken nine points from their first three matches, doing so in style with a joint league-best 10 goals. The Whitecaps have started in the opposite direction, losing each of their first three matches.
Montero has gotten on the scoresheet, but the club will need a few more goals from him to pick up points. Will it happen against the Sounders?
Montero with the Sounders | Getty Images
Over the first four seasons of the Sounders' MLS existence, Montero was the star. He scored 47 goals and added 34 assists, quickly proving to be one of the league's top players during that time. He left MLS after the 2012 season, joining Columbian side Millonarios on loan before joining Sporting CP in Portugal.
After a year in China, he came back to MLS with the Whitecaps in 2017. He returned to Sporting for one more year in Portugal before another return for the 'Caps ahead of this season. Wherever he was, just like his time in Seattle, one constant followed him: Goals.
Sounders fans weren't too happy when he returned to MLS with one of the club's rivals, understandably. To date, they haven't found much joy seeing him up close and personal wearing a kit other than the rave green, either.