Fredy Montero may now play for Cascadia Cup rival Vancouver Whitecaps, but his early days with the Seattle Sounders included one of his most memorable moments in MLS.
Fresh off a two-goal showing against the New York Red Bulls in Seattle’s MLS debut, producing a follow-up act was always going to be difficult. It was even harder when factoring in how an on-the-rise Real Salt Lake team was visiting CenturyLink Field (then Qwest Field) on March 28, 2009.
But Montero rose to the occasion as the Sounders protected a 1-0 lead and RSL’s midfield created chance after chance. Montero, who collected an Ozzie Alonso pass in transition, uncorked a 35-yard rocket that swerved past goalkeeper Nick Rimando for the 2-0 win.
By season’s end, Montero had 12 goals and seven assists upon arriving on loan from Deportivo Cali. Now, the 32-year-old Colombian forward has 68 goals and 43 assists in 186 MLS games. During the 2009 season, Montero was also an MLS All-Star and named the MLS Newcomer of the Year.
His golazo against RSL, upon reflection, was a harbinger of what was to come.
