The Seattle Sounders announced the trade of long-time defender Xavier Arreaga to the New England Revolution on Tuesday.
Signed midway through the 2019 season, Arreaga ends his tenure in Seattle with an impressive resume, making 121 appearances across all competitions and 100 starts.
“I want to remember Xavi first and foremost for success,” said goalkeeper Stefan Frei. “We were able to achieve quite a few good things with him as part of our squad, and that’s something I think he should be proud of personally.”
Throughout his six seasons with the Rave Green, Arreaga has been a key contributor during some of the club’s most iconic moments.
During the club’s run to the 2019 MLS Cup, the Sounders faced LAFC on the road in the Western Conference Final. That LAFC side entered the match as heavy favorites, with many pundits and fans alike billing them as the best team in league history. Arreaga helped the Sounders secure a 3-1 victory and was instrumental in shutting down MLS MVP Carlos Vela, who had notched 34 goals and 15 assists during the regular season.
Arreaga was also a cornerstone of a Sounders backline that helped the team achieve a league record 13-match unbeaten start to the 2021 season. He also started all eight matches during the club’s historic Concacaf Champions League run, earning tournament Best XI honors, and provided an assist on the opening goal in Seattle’s 3-0 win in the second leg of the final against Pumas.
“Without Xavi, maybe we don’t get to MLS Cup in 2019,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He had a really good performance down in LA. He’s been a guy in and out of the Ecuadorian national team. He won us a lot of games. [In the] CCL run he was involved, so he was a good overall teammate and a good overall pro for the club.”
Ultimately the trade with New England accomplished two key objectives for the club: doing right a player who has been a consummate professional and opening upwards of seven figures of cap space for an impactful player in the summer transfer window.
“On behalf of the organization, I’d like to thank Xavi and wish him nothing but the best at his next stop,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “This transaction allows for increased flexibility within the salary cap as we explore different ways to improve our team this summer.”
The Sounders return to action this weekend as they visit DC United in the first game of a two-match road trip on the East Coast.
