Sounders happy with immediate impact from Erik Friberg

TUKWILA, Wash. – Erik Friberg snuggled right back into the Seattle midfield Saturday night at CenturyLink Field after returning from three-plus seasons in Europe.

Friberg was a bit of a surprise starter, having had his paperwork go through just the previous week, but the Sweden native was one of the few Sounders who played well during  their 1-0 loss to last-place Colorado.

The forwards misfired once again, and center backs Chad Marshall and Zach Scott were both partially at fault for allowing Rapids forward Kevin Doyle to muscle his way through for the game’s only goal. The midfield, though, was better, edging more than 54 percent of the possessions and dictating tempo more ably than it had in weeks.

“I thought the midfield was fine,” Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said Wednesday. “In terms of our ability to keep possession against Colorado, it was good. … We’re talking about the final 30 yards of the field where it needs to be a little bit sharper with a little more quality to create a few more chances.”

Whereas the forward line will look far different when Clint Dempsey returns from national-team duty and Obafemi Martins recovers from injury – and the back line will shuffle when captain Brad Evans comes back – the midfield is unlikely to change.

What you saw Saturday is otherwise what you’re going to get – Cristian Roldan and Thomas flickering in occasional sparks out wide, Osvaldo Alonso and Gonzalo Pineda directing traffic from the middle of the field.

Marco Pappa will enter the fold at some point, too, once the MLS investigation of  his DUI arrest and subsequent evaluation is complete.

Friberg provided an immediate look at what he can bring to a team.

“He plays the ball a little quicker, is a little more direct,” Schmid said after the game. “He connects a little further more – he gets in front of Ozzie (Alonso) more so we aren’t quite as deep with those two midfielders.”

Note

Thomas was fined an undisclosed amount by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for simulation, also known as diving, in Seattle’s loss to Colorado.