The Seattle Sounders opened training camp for its second MLS season without one Freddie (Ljungberg) but with another Fredy (Montero) on hand Monday at Starfire Sports Complex.

Ljungberg is exploring options in Europe, according to Coach Sigi Schmid, who expects the Swede back. "Exactly when the date is that he is going to be here," said Schmid, "I'm not exactly sure, but that's an ongoing situation."

Ljungberg's absence has not been excused. "All of them [players] would like to miss a week," said Schmid. "We can't let them all miss a week. So from that standpoint, we've got to just hold them all to a standard."

Montero returned from Colombia with several more family members to live with him in Seattle and was at Monday's training session. There have been unconfirmed reports that Turkish club Fenerbahce and an unidentified Russian team are interested in him.

 

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