Hello Noonan: Sounders FC veteran hopes to stay put
Jun 30, 2011, 9:29 AM | Updated: 11:04 am
Sounders FC forward Pat Noonan prepares to cross the ball during the second half of Seattle's U.S. Open Cup match against Kitsap Pumas on Tuesday. Noonan hopes to have a new contract with the Sounders "in the next couple days." (Jane Gershovich/710Sports.com)
(Jane Gershovich/710Sports.com)
The clock is ticking toward the end of Patrick Noonan’s three-month contract extension with Seattle Sounders FC. If healthy, he is a player who could help the rave green in the second half of the MLS season, and the playoffs.
Brought in during the 2010 season, the 30-year-old Noonan contributed a goal and an assist in 12 matches. Injuries hampered his playing time, and Noonan had hip surgery last winter to correct his problems.
We finally saw Noonan get some minutes in Seattle’s victory over New England on Sunday, and he played more in the U.S. Open Cup victory over Kitsap Pumas.
Noonan gave us his assessment of his play and his future after training in Tukwila this week.
“Getting those minutes with the first 18 was nice against New England,” he said. “I needed those minutes to get my sharpness back and my fitness back. Unfortunately, it was more defending than attacking because of them throwing numbers forward, but it was still nice to be out there.”
Noonan’s experience can be a calming presence in Seattle’s possession and build up style. But is he in the Sounders FC’s future plans?
Coach Sigi Schmid addressed that question.
“I mean Pat’s a good soccer player,” Schmid said. “Health is the issue. You saw when he played in the U.S. Open Cup, I thought our game settled. He has the vision and capability and soccer brain that’s nice to have on the field. As long as he can get his health and fitness fully, he’s a guy who can help any team.”
Noonan agreed with Schmid’s observation.
“With my experience I know how to get the ball into dangerous areas and lead guys into dangerous spots, and we can build attacks,” he said.
With Sounders racking up three straight MLS victories and rising to second place in the Western Conference, Noonan would obviously like to be part of the club.
“I’m sure we can come to some type of agreement,” Noonan said. “I’d love to be here, and hopefully we can finalize that in the next couple days.”
After a hectic four matches in 11 days, Seattle gets a full week to rest and plan for a big match on July 4 in Carson, Calif. against the West leading Los Angeles Galaxy.
Forward Fredy Montero (quad contusion) and midfielder Brad Evans (hamstring) should both be healthy for that match. Seattle also gets holding midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and defender Leo Gonzalez back from multiple yellow card suspensions.
