Nkufo eager to help out Sounders

Blaise Nkufo is two months away from joining the Seattle Sounders. But already, the Swiss soccer star is eager to bring the MLS team what it is trying to find: Someone who can score on a consistent basis.

The 34-year-old Nkufo, just two weeks removed from helping his FC Twente club win its first Dutch Eredivisie (First Division) championship, made his initial visit to Seattle on Tuesday to meet his future teammates and watch a training session.

"I know what I can do for this team, and I will be focused on my skills and what I've done from the past and what I wish to do for the Sounders," said Nkufo, who because of international player transfer rules won't be eligible to play for the Sounders until July 15.

What the 6-foot-2, 185-pound striker has done in the past is score goals at a prolific rate. In seven seasons with FC Twente, Nkufo (KOOH-fo) found the back of the net 114 times in 223 Eredivisie games. That included 12 goals during the just-concluded Dutch season.

His most pressing priority is playing for Switzerland in the World Cup, which starts next month in South Africa. Nkufo leaves Seattle at the end of the week to return home for final preparations for the June 16 Group H opener against Spain.

But hopes already are running high among the Sounders that he'll provide an offensive spark for a team that is tied for 11th in scoring (eight goals) in the 16-team MLS and is last in the Western Conference at 2-3-3.

"He's not the kind of player who is going to run away from people," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. "He scores his goals by instinct and timing and understanding the flow of the game. Those are all the qualities he's going to bring to our team."

Added midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, "We needed a goal-scorer, and that's why he's here."

A native of the former Zaire, Nkufo was 7 when he and his family fled to Switzerland. Now, he wants to emigrate to the United States. His wife and two children currently live in Vancouver, British Columbia, about 2 1/2 hours north of Seattle.

He is signed for the remainder of this season and for next season. "I wanted to start a new life," Nkufo said. "I said a few weeks ago that I wanted to live in this country. For me, I'm still fit, and I'll try to give myself the possibility to play two years more."

Depending on how far Switzerland advances in the World Cup, Nkufo could make his Sounders debut as early as July 15, when the Sounders play at D.C. United.

But don't look for a one-man show. "As a striker, they can expect a lot of goals. But I need my team players and crossing passes," Nkufo said.

He is aware that the team and its rabid fans are counting on him to deliver.

"Of course people have expectations," Nkufo said. "But I think my expectations are higher than the fans or anybody here. I know I have to work hard to show what I can do, because I have a name, of course. But I start from 0-0 here.

"I know it will not be simple," he added. "But I'm ready."