MLS club Seattle Sounders have been a huge hit both on and off the pitch since they arrived in the big leagues in 2009.

An overall finish of fourth (third in Western Conference) in their debut season was backed up with a sixth-placing (fourth in Conference) in their sophomore campaign. Add to that two Lamar Hunt US Open Cups and you would be pretty happy if you were one of the record-breaking Sounders fans who turn up to Qwest Field in abundance week in-week out.

But head coach Sigi Schmid is not satisfied and is eyeing bigger and better things in 2011 although he understands it will not be easy.

"This is the year that if we don't accomplish some of the things that we feel we can accomplish, then you have to start looking at breaking up that core," Schmid said on Tuesday at the pre-season camp opening. "So this is an important year.

"It's going to be difficult. We talked about that. We said 'how much different is this than two years ago?' But as you're building a team that's what it takes."

And Schmid admitted the search was still continuing to bring in some players who will add plenty of depth to his playing roster for the road ahead.

"Now you're looking for somebody who has a little something special, somebody you can add something that maybe you are missing or don't have. And I think a couple of guys have shown that," he added.