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One of the best signings of 2009, Montero brought swagger, sublime skills, and lethal finishing ability to Sounders FC, lighting up the pitch with his fancy footwork, deft passing and passion for the game. Montero was voted MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009 for finishing third in scoring and for leading the Sounders’ attack-minded style of play. In his debut season, Montero played 27 games and clocked 2,217 minutes. He scored 12 goals and dished out seven assists for a team-leading 19 points. Montero led the team in games started (27), shots taken (86), shots on goal (32) and fouls committed (47). Montero’s numbers underline his role as one of the league’s impact players, evidenced again in 2010 when Montero became just one of two players to rank in the top 10 in MLS in goals (10) and assists (10).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Began his professional career with Deportivo Cali, scoring 27 goals in 56 appearances from 2005, 2007-08.
- Loaned to Athletico Huila from 2006-07 and scored 13 goals in 18 appearances.
- Twice selected (2007 and 2008) Colombia’s Golden Boot winner for leading the first division in scoring.
- Capped four times with one goal for the Colombian National Team.
- Started Colombia’s World Cup qualifier on Oct. 11, 2008, vs. Paraguay.
- Selected MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2009 after finishing third in the league goals (12) and game-winning goals (4).
- Named to play in the 2009 MLS All-Star game, along with teammates Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg.
- Named MLS Breakout Player of the Year by FOX Pan American Sports.
- Selected MLS Player of the Month for March, 2009.
- Selected MLS Player of the Month for July, 2010.
2010
- Led the club in nearly every statistical category in 2010, including goals (10), assists (10), shots (91), shots on goal (34), fouls called (44) and fouls suffered (60).
- Tallied 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
- Voted MLS Player of the Month for July after scoring two goals and recording three assists in four weeks of league play.
- Named MLS Inactive All-Star.
- Scored four game-winning goals in the MLS, six in all competitions.
- Scored on a game-winning, 40-yard free kick against Dallas on April 22.
- Tallied a game-winning goal against New York on May 15.
- Scored the game-winning goal against Houston on Aug. 8.
- Had a game-winning header in second-half stoppage time vs. Chicago on Aug. 28.
- Scored the first goal for Sounders in MLS and in international play.
2009
- Selected MLS Newcomer of the Year after finishing third in the league goals (12) and game-winning goals (4).
- Named to play in the 2009 MLS All-Star game, along with teammates Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Kasey Keller and Freddie Ljungberg (started and played 45 minutes in a loss to Everton).
- Named MLS Breakout Player of the Year by FOX Pan American Sports.
- Selected the winner of the team’s Budweiser Golden Boot award.
- Selected MLS Player of the Month for March, 2009.
- Named MLS Player of the Week for Week 1, 2009.
- Scored the MLS Goal of the Week for Week 1, 2009 and Week 2, 2009.
PERSONAL / MISCELLANEOUS
- As a 13-year-old, approached Deportivo Cali scouts for a tryout in his home country of Colombia. The scouts saw something. The young Montero earned a contract after a single tryout.
- Father was a policeman.
SAID
- “Fredy is extremely quick, and he’s always dangerous in the box.” — Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC coach
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