Updated Apr 5, 2011 - 10:50 am

Sounders part ways with forward Blaise Nkufo

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Blaise Nkufo, pictured in the Sounders' exhibition match against FC Celtic last season, joined the club after playing for Switzerland in the World Cup. (Associated Press)

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The Seattle Sounders FC announced shortly before its season openening loss to the L.A. Galaxy on Tuesday that it has cut ties with forward Blaise Nkufo.

The details of Nkufo's status are being negotiated by the team, the player's representative and Major League Soccer.

A source told 97.3 KIRO FM's Bill Swartz earlier in the day that Nkufo was not happy with the style of play coach Sigi Schmid was asking of him and that the Swiss striker came to the team last week and asked for a trade.

Nkufo, who was one of the club's designated players, joined Seattle last season following his World Cup appearance for Switzerland. He scored five goals in 11 regular season matches for the Sounders and became the first player in the club's history to record a hat trick.

"We want to thank Blaise for his contributions to the team last season," general manager Adrian Hanauer said in a release. "Blaise is a quality person and we wish him nothing but the best."

Hannauer added in the release that the move "improves our flexibility with regard to the salary cap."

The 35-year-old Nkufo has family in Vancouver, British Columbia, so it would make sense if he would like to join the expansion Whitecaps. Toronto FC is another possibility.

O'Brian White started in place of Nkufo against the Galaxy.

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Sounders part ways with forward Blaise Nkufo
97.3 KIRO FM has learned that striker Blaise Nkufo was not happy with the style of play coach Sigi Schmid was asking of him and that the striker came to the team last week asking for a trade.

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  shanmatt72 wrote...

  Hmmmm

  Dont really know what to make of this, other then I dont like the timing

  March 15, 2011 5:05 pm

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  Mikey_A wrote...

  Good

  Blessing in disguise. He is a very talented player, but he was past his prime. He didn't have the pace to chase down our long balls and was stripped two easily when double-teamed. Thanks for that Columbus game last year, Blaise.

  March 15, 2011 5:13 pm

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  seaboyd wrote...

  Don't suppose he had to work do you??

  I noticed last year that he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. As a result he was plugging up the potential scoring positions. I agree to let him go, even to the Whitecaps. He's no threat. I don't know what the swiss standards are but I have no thoughts of erecting a statue of him like they did.

  March 15, 2011 5:15 pm

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  Big Baby Moose wrote...

  What?

  This is not good. He is the second dp that has left under less than great circumstances. He is also the only good goal scoring physical presence on the team. Montero is a midget who takes plays off and Jaqua is hurt all the time and not particularly dynamic. This is not good for the team and they can kiss the Cup hopes goodbye.

  March 15, 2011 5:15 pm

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  shanmatt72 wrote...

  Calm down Moose

  Your way off base. Montero had a career year last year in leadership and gameplay and has done nothing to make it look like it wont be more of the same. Blaise scored 5 goals. 3 in one game. He didnt really set it on fire. What I did like about his game was he was physically strong enough to hold off defenders. Other than that, he was gone at the end of the year anywho. As far as the cup goes, by losing him I hardly say its over. Careless comment

  March 15, 2011 5:24 pm

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  stevgard wrote...

  i named my cat blaise....

  but think of the DP spot this opens up. I see a big signing coming up, someone to play along and be able to distribute to Fredy Montero and really FINISH. I like Blaise and what he does. He is a great soccer player. So was Ljungberg...but they didn't fit, and piece by piece, we are discoverin, with Sigi's guidance, what does fit to make this team work, and become an offensive force every time it takes the pitch. Etc.

  March 15, 2011 9:32 pm

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  afecks wrote...

  Minor Correction

  @seaboyd: Just FYI, while he is indeed Swiss, the statue of N'kufo is at FC Twente's home ground, which is in the Netherlands, not Switzerland.

  March 15, 2011 11:50 pm

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