For several years, Freddie Ljungberg was the face — and body — of underwear advertisements for Calvin Klein. But where is there to go after you have been plastered on billboards all over the world in nothing but your skivvies?
The former Swedish international, who also played at Arsenal and West Ham United in England, faced a similar choice when it came time to decide the future of his professional soccer career, joining the expansion Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer on a free transfer as the club’s designated player (making $1.3 million a season). He spoke with The New York Times on Sunday night, a few days before playing for the M.L.S. All-Stars against Everton on Wednesday and one day after being ejected in a league match against visiting Chicago.
So what the heck happened in the game on Saturday?
O.K. But it seemed you certainly played to the crowd on your way off the field and had them on your side. Probably not all that surprising.
They were great. They supported me. What else can I say?
The Sounders have the best attendance in the league right now. From the beginning in Seattle, have you been surprised by the level of fan support and interest?
When they started to talk to me about America they said the fans here were good and that they would embrace the team if it played well. Of course, you’re hoping and whatever. But I never thought it would be at this level, and I must say that they are absolutely amazing. I’m a bit overwhelmed with it all. They are knowledgeable fans. They know the game. They know when to applaud and when not to. They know what’s good and what’s bad.
So many players from Europe say they come here because their lives off the field are a bit calmer and they are not as well-known. Was that part of the reason for your move to the United States?
You mentioned David Beckham and while I don’t expect you to comment about what has been going on with him in Milan and Los Angeles, do you think that the simple fact that players like Beckham, yourself and others coming to M.L.S. has changed the perception of the league?
I think what they’re trying to do is make it more appealing for the big players to come and build interest and get the game going. For me, when Beckham came it showed that M.L.S. is serious about to building properly with good players. I think they are sincere in what they were doing but they need to be doing it more in the coming years. People from back home are calling loads of time, asking how it is and about the prospects of playing here. Yes, they have this designated player thing, but one of the things I can’t understand is why all the teams don’t have one.
Of course, I can’t speak for those teams, but here in Seattle it has worked really, really well. But at the end of the day it is up to the owners and what they want to do. I know it is a way different system than in Europe because here the league owns everything.
A quick impression of your American teammates … are they better players than you thought they would be?
The American players are so willing to learn. They all really want to get better and part of my role has been to try and help with that. Sometimes my coach wants me to help planning exercises.
In recent weeks, there have been reports and rumors that clubs in Europe have been in contact to see if you might be tempted to go back. If that’s true, are you thinking about it?
First, I want to say that when you come to America you need to know what you’re getting yourself into and what to expect. You need to be prepared and willing to accept some things. For me, yes, there have been clubs who contacted my agents, clubs who want me back in Europe.
But I’ve said that I’m happy with the decision I’ve taken and I’ve promised people that I’m going to be here. Some of the top clubs in Europe wanted a quick answer, but I said nope, I’m going to be here. I’m really happy with the fans, and the team is great. I knew a lot about things here when I first got to M.L.S. Believe me, I could have gone anywhere in Europe because it was a free transfer. But nothing can get me to change my mind now.
But why come to the United States, especially to an expansion team in M.L.S.?
I’ve been playing since I was 16 at the highest club level in Sweden. When I was 20, I went to Arsenal. I’ve played at the highest level, winning soccer, my whole life. This was the first time I was a free agent. And last summer some people in Europe thought I was nuts for going to America, which is not at highest level. But I want to do something, something totally different — a new experience. You will learn when you see different things.
It was interesting the way the people in Seattle pitched it to me. I felt, and it may sound a bit stupid, that I want to try things that are hard. When I went to Arsenal, people in Sweden said my game was more suited for Spain or Italy. I showed I can play in England and here, this team is doing amazingly well when most new teams do terrible in the beginning.
What do you think of the standard of play? How does it compare?
I would say the play is even with the top teams in Holland. Of course not everything is the same, but I think the results of most games would be even. How do they play here? My teammates work so hard in training, they really want to get better. They run a lot, high-tempo stuff like that. But for me, my team wants me to help to control the game, dictate the tempo with passing and like Arsenal, to try and play the game on the floor, a nice game of football.
Who are some of the younger players who have impressed you, either on the Sounders or in the league?
I don’t want to make any trouble and pick out players by name. But in general, and it includes some of my teammates, they are very good, but they are 20 and 21 years old after they finish college first. In Europe, those good young players are 16, 17 or 18. That can make a big difference.
The Sounders got a chance to play in a big international exhibition recently against Chelsea and you’ve got another one coming up soon against Barcelona. Do you get excited about these games?
How can I explain it? The way I see it it’s an amazing and great experience for our younger players. They get to see how some of the game’s great players do it. In M.L.S. they do their pass and move, but then they discover that a lot of things they’re used to doing don’t work against Chelsea or Barcelona. Really, those other teams are much better than I’ve been telling them about. For the young ones, it’s an invaluable lesson. For me, it’s really a chance to catch up with a bunch of friends, talk a bit, go for a drink. It’s really nice. But it’s much different when you’re playing for trophies.
And now this thing we call an All-Star Game. Is it something completely alien to you?
For sure, it’s a new experience since we don’t have such a thing back home or in Europe. But I like ice hockey and I’ve seen the N.H.L. game. Of course it’s an honor to play in it; I can only compare it to a testimonial game for some players I’ve played in. It should be calm, a nice tempo and no dangerous tactics. The only thing is: Will Everton see it that way?
After only a few months, what’s your favorite thing about Seattle?
Well, it’s not raining even close as much as people said. The summer, so far, is amazing. I’m looking out my window, 20 boats in the water and I’m really enjoying the city.
By Jack Bell
