The Homegrown Player Spotlight series, in partnership with American Family Insurance, celebrates young Seattle athletes who dream of taking their soccer aspirations to new heights. Through dedication, community support and the Sounders’ Development Pathway, players like Stuart Hawkins turn that pursuit into reality before making their way to the First Team.
“I love this club. I love this team. I love the people here,” said Hawkins. “It's my hometown. It's where I grew up.”
Even before joining Sounders Academy, it was written in the stars that Hawkins would one day represent his hometown club on the professional stage. Growing up in Gig Harbor, his mom signed him up for micro soccer, where he played for a team called the “Ninja Sounders.” It was the first time he had heard of the Rave Green: the organization that would later become a cornerstone of his life.
Ticket & Bobble 3-Match Pack
Lock in three late-season matches that matter with the Ticket & Bobble 3-Match Pack, including Aug. 19 vs. Austin FC, Sept. 26 vs. Minnesota United FC (Vamos Sounders Match), and Oct. 1 vs. Sporting Kansas City. At each match, you’ll collect an exclusive Sounders player bobblehead, starting with Cristian Roldan on Aug. 19.
The center back grew to love the sport, leaving him eager to kickstart his dream of one day becoming a Sounder himself. His determination over the next few years put him in perfect position to do so, joining the Sounders Discovery Program before making his way to the Academy side of the pathway at 14-years-old.
From there, his pathway to pro really began.
“It definitely helped me a lot. The academy and the SDP, when you're young, I think they do a really good job of putting the person first before the player,” said Hawkins. “They like good people. That's why we have a lot of good homegrowns, a lot of good guys on the team, and I think that helps you become a better player overall at the end of the day.”
He credits the competitive environment for pushing him out of his comfort zone to grow in the game.
“In the academy, I wasn't even starting all the time, so yeah, I think they do a good job making guys earn their spot,” said Hawkins. “I don't think everything's guaranteed. I mean, I played in the U-15 year, the U-16 year was like a hybrid year. I didn't really play too much, and then I got an opportunity and I took it. So [it’s] just [about] taking the opportunities when they come.”
Bring the Noise
Enjoy the Rave Pack —a three-match offering filled with high-energy, high-stakes matches at Lumen Field. Open with our August 19 battle against Austin FC, and finish with a Saturday-night showdown vs. Eastern Conference foe CF Montrêal.
The remainder of his Academy experience included a Most Valuable Player award from the 2022 U-17 Generation Adidas Cup after guiding his team to a championship title over Tigres UANL, in addition to a MLS NEXT All-Star selection in both 2022 and 2023.
It was when he first stepped on the pitch for the Sounders’ MLS NEXT Pro side Tacoma Defiance under former Head Coach and current Director of Development Wade Webber, however, that he knew he could make his aspirations of competing with the First Team a reality.
“I [thought to myself], ‘I can play here, I have a place here, I can earn my spot,’” said Hawkins. “I always believed, but I think that moment was like a pretty big moment in my career.”
Following his consistent appearances with the USYNT, in addition to gaining professional minutes with Defiance, Hawkins’ hard work finally came to fruition. Just four years after joining the Sounders Discovery Program, the then 16-year-old earned a Homegrown Player contract with his boyhood club on Sept. 13, 2023.
“It means everything to me,” said Hawkins.
Fast forward to today, the center back recently made his first MLS start on July 22 and recorded his second the following match during the First Team’s away stretch against Austin FC and Philadelphia Union.
“It's a big deal for me just because I know the work I've done to get to this point,” said Hawkins. “So I'm happy to be on the field and just want to help the team win.”
The Homegrown Player has been through adversity, not making starts early in his Academy career. He dealt with a quad injury less than a month after making his MLS debut in May of 2025 and faced a set-back in an attempt to make a return a few months later. In moments that could have deterred him, Hawkins used it as fuel to advance his game.
“I learned a lot about myself and about people around me, my support system,” said Hawkins. “I learned a lot about nutrition, what you're doing off the field, every little moment, not sitting around, staying active. I learned how to take care of myself, what my body needs off the field, so I can perform.”
His underlying talent combined with his desire to grow as a player and his response to hard times has ultimately guided him to the top. Upon reflection of his journey and those that want to follow suit, his best advice was to “just believe in yourself through tough times [and] through good times.”
“Stay level-headed,” said Hawkins. “[And] don't get too ahead of yourself.”
