BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

Out early from halftime, the Sounders biggest acquisition started to get loose.

Freddy Ljungberg, Sounders FC's designated player, hadn't seen the pitch during a match in nine months. Hip surgery in late November delayed his MLS debut a week, but Ljungberg was back Saturday night.

"I felt great," Ljungberg said. "I got some nice touches on the ball. My hip felt great."

Ljungberg carries a resume that dwarfs any of his teammates. A decade in the English Premier League and captaining the Swedish national team puts him well in front of his mates. But now it is Ljungberg's chance to adapt to a league viewed as sod under the foot of Premiership play.

"I’m not kidding anyone here and saying it’s better than the Premiereship," Ljungberg said. "The Premiereship is the best in the world. I wanted to come here to try to make it better. I think it’s a very good league."

Ljungberg carries a combination of looks that make fans swoon, and feet that make the game slow down. Once Ljungberg was inserted into the Sounders' midfield, Seattle began to regain control of the match. Ljungberg was able to truncate the game, controlling the ball and developing a short game in the middle that was lacking without him. Coach Sigi Schmid said as Ljungberg adapts, his teammates will be forced to do the same.

Part of the adaptation for London native Steve Zakuani will be playing on the same field as Ljungberg. The Swede appeared in 328 matches for Arsenal while Zakuani was going through the club's developmental program. Saturday, Ljungberg subbed Zakuani out.

"He is someone I have looked up to and someone who I used to act like as a kid," Zakuani said. "I played for Arsenal as a kid and used to go to the stadium and watch him. For my first professional start to come off the field for Freddie Ljungberg is just awesome, the whole thing is just great."

Ljungberg played 30 minutes Saturday night, saying he expected to double that next week. As they have been all along, the Sounders will continue to take their time returning Ljungberg to the pitch, the main concern being re-injury of the hip that was surgically repaired.

"Normally, after a surgery, when you get really, really tired, that’s when you can injure yourself," Lijungberg said. "Probably when I get really, really tired, that’s when I got to walk off. If that’s 60 or 70 or 80, we’ll see how long."

One thing that has Ljungberg's attention is the attention of Seattle fans. The Sounders enjoyed their second consecutive sellout, which can be labeled standing-room only since few sit.

"It’s much better (than I expected)," Ljungberg said. "It’s a great atmosphere. Especially when I came on the pitch, it was a little bit touching. It was like … (everyone in) Seattle was in here screaming. That’s how loud it felt on the pitch. I take that to heart. I feel welcome here."

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com