No sooner had Switzerland sprung the surprise of the World Cup than Twitter heated up with anticipation of Blaise Nkufo's imminent arrival in Seattle.
"Question for Nkufo: When can you get here???" Twitter user cyclegal wrote in a tweet directed at the Seattle Sounders' Steve Zakuani.
The Sounders signed Nkufo more than three months ago, but the Swiss striker won't be joining the club until his World Cup duties are over. After his side edged favorites Spain, 1-0, in their Group H opener on Wednesday, that wait could extend beyond what was initially expected.
Sounders fans got a good look at their new forward in the shock victory, and he appeared to bring what Seattle desperately need: A big striker who can hold the ball up, shake off defenders, make space for himself and help create chances on the breakaway. Nkufo's hopeful pass from deep inside his own half triggered Switzerland's winning goal, which Gelson Fernandes finished off early in the second half.
"Sounders got a good one in acquisition of forward Nkufo," Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl tweeted."Very effective in upset of ESP."
Nkufo joins Seattle with an impressive resume. The Zaire-born 35-year old tallied 114 goals in 223 games for FC Twente, with whom he won the Dutch league championship this past season. He also has seven goals in 29 appearances for Switzerland, including five in qualifying for South Africa.
"Nkufo's a classy hold-up player. Not wildly energetic but he's hard to get the ball off of," user dwharton tweeted, before later adding: "You have to imagine that Freddie Ljungberg is drooling after watching Nkufo's performance against Spain this morning."
The win put the Swiss in joint first place with Chile in Group H, who defeated Honduras earlier in the day. However, not all those watching the game agreed with the generally held sentiments.
"Wasn't too impressed with Blaise Nkufo today," user Jaimerandall wrote. "Crossing my fingers for a bit of magic when he joins the Sounders later on in the season."
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