Seattle's front office has made a number of moves in the short time since the end of the season. Here's how the roster currently stands.
With the flurry of movement last week, here is a look at what Sounders FC’s roster looks like right now. As Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer said last week, though, Seattle is likely to have more moves on the horizon as the shift toward 2014 continues.
(Note: Italics indicate a secondary position for the player.)
Goalkeeper – Josh Ford, Stefan Frei, Marcus Hahnemann
Frei was added in a trade with Toronto FC to compete with Hahnemann for the starting role vacated by the departure of two-year starter Michael Gspurning. Frei has spent five years in MLS with Toronto, serving as the club’s primary goalkeeper from 2009-2011. He is looking to rekindle his career in Seattle while Hahnemann will be back for Sounders FC after starting four matches last season. Ford has yet to play an MLS match and has struggled with injuries, but his re-signing last week shows a lot of faith from the club in the skilled young shot-stopper.
Right back – DeAndre Yedlin, Zach Scott, Dylan Remick
Yedlin broke on the scene as the club’s first Homegrown signing and didn’t relinquish the starting position. Scott has played the role in prior years and will continue to provide depth while the young Remick showed in Reserve League and training sessions that he can play both outside back roles in a pinch.
Center back – Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Chad Marshall, Zach Scott, Djimi Traore
The addition of Marshall makes this one of the deepest positions on the team and the two-time Defender of the Year would mix well with any of the four potential partners. Hurtado had a stellar stretch in 2013 and Traore proved to be a consistent veteran presence. Ianni struggled with injuries in the early part of the season, but came on strong toward the end of the year. Scott is a perpetual professional who was a force for Seattle this year.
Left back – Leo Gonzalez, Dylan Remick
Gonzalez returns for a sixth season with Sounders FC after having arguably his best in Rave Green in 2013. Remick was a second-round pick in the SuperDraft and appeared in only one match in 2013, but had the luxury of developing behind two veterans at his position and showed marked improvement by the end of the year.
Right midfield – Clint Dempsey, Brad Evans, David Estrada, Lamar Neagle
Seattle has plenty of players that can play this position, but who will be the starter in 2014? That’s a question that likely will be answered in the coming weeks as training camp nears. The club will have big shoes to fill, as Mauro Rosales became the club’s all-time assist leader patrolled that position over most of the last three seasons.
Central midfield – Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, Blair Gavin, Shalrie Joseph, Andy Rose, Clint Dempsey
Alonso had another stellar season and earned a Designated Player contract in the process. Dempsey can play this role or as a forward, but generally occupies the same part of the field either way. Evans is a natural in the position in that he can play a more defensive stance when needed and provide a spark in the attack as a box-to-box type when the opportunity arises. Joseph had trouble shaking the injury bug in 2013, but when his sharpness on the field matches his vision, he is a valuable piece. Rose continued his development in his second MLS season and will look to make a jump up the depth chart in 2014. Gavin signed late in the season and wasn’t retained, so would need to earn a roster spot, but is still just 24 years old and has plenty of talent to warrant a good look.
Left midfield – Alex Caskey, Brad Evans, Lamar Neagle
Caskey is the only natural left-sided midfielder and showed play-making abilities when he was healthy in 2013. His recovery from ankle issues that plagued him last year will put him in the mix for significant playing time. Neagle has shown the ability to play the role, too, scoring five goals there in 2011, but was used best as a forward in 2013. Evans is solid in the position, if needed.
Forward – Will Bates, Kenny Cooper, Clint Dempsey, David Estrada, Obafemi Martins, Lamar Neagle, Eriq Zavaleta
Cooper adds a new dynamic to the team with his size and his goal-scoring prowess after the trade of Eddie Johnson. Martins showed in his 17 starts that he can be a tremendous force in MLS and Neagle emerged as a growing star in the league. The name of the game is versatility, though, and Dempsey can play as a forward or in the midfield, depending on where Head Coach Sigi Schmid wants to utilize him. Zavaleta saw limited playing time in his rookie season, but showed a nose for the goal in the Reserve League. Estrada couldn’t find his way into the starting lineup, but remains a solid competitor for Seattle that can play multiple positions when needed. Bates is fully recovered from injuries that limited him early in 2013 and will likely compete for a roster spot in 2014.
<strong class="incontentheadline">Position</strong> |
<span class="incontentheadline">Player Name</span><br> |
<strong>Goalkeeper</strong> |
Josh Ford<br> |
<br> |
Stefan Frei<br> |
<br> |
Marcus Hahnemann<br> |
<strong>Right Back</strong> |
DeAndre Yedlin<br> |
<br> |
<em>Zach Scott</em><br> |
<br> |
<em>Dylan Remick</em> |
<strong>Center Back</strong><br> |
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado<br> |
<br> |
Patrick Ianni<br> |
<br> |
Chad Marshall<br> |
<br> |
Zach Scott<br> |
<br> |
Djimi Traore |
<strong>Left Back</strong> |
Leo Gonzalez<br> |
<br> |
Dylan Remick<br> |
<strong>Right Midfield</strong><br> |
<em>Clint Dempsey<br></em> |
<br> |
<em>Brad Evans<br></em> |
<br> |
<em>David Estrada<br></em> |
<br> |
<em>Lamar Neagle<br></em> |
<strong>Center Midfield</strong><br> |
Osvaldo Alonso<br> |
<br> |
Brad Evans<br> |
Blair Gavin |
|
<br> |
Shalrie Joseph<br> |
Andy Rose |
|
<br> |
<em>Clint Dempsey</em><br> |
<strong>Left Midfield</strong> |
Alex Caskey |
<br> |
<em>Brad Evans<br></em> |
<br> |
<em>Lamar Neagle </em> |
<strong>Forwards</strong> |
Will Bates |
Kenny Cooper |
|
Clint Dempsey <br> |
|
David Estrada |
|
Obafemi Martins |
|
Lamar Neagle |
|
Eriq Zavaleta |