Just hours after being eliminated from the play-offs by LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders officials were back at work preparing for the 2011 season.

Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid and general manager Adrian Hanauer said plans were already being put in place ahead of the SuperDraft so that the second-year club can improve even further with a stronger playing roster in their third season.

"For me it's already a process of deciding, 'OK, these are the nucleus pieces we can build with and this is where we need to get a little bit better,' " said Schmid.

Hanauer added: "I think between the ownership and coaching we know some of the things we may need to tweak a little bit to continue to get better."

The Sounders are expecting to lose exciting talents Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani to European clubs but will almost certainly retain veteran goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Designated Players Blaise Nkufo and Alvaro Fernandez for next term.