As the 2014 season went on, Zach Scott established himself as the starter next to Chad Marshall on Sounders FC’s backline. Both centerbacks played instrumental roles in Seattle’s trophy-filled season, which featured the club’s first Supporters’ Shield and fourth U.S. Open Cup title.
When Scott reported to training camp in January for his 14th consecutive season as a Sounders defender, the veteran had been demoted to a reserve. Sigi Schmid and his staff were planning to make captain Brad Evans the starter alongside Marshall. Unless there was an injury to Marshall or an international call-up for Evans, Scott sat on the bench in the early portions of this season.
And then, during the Summer Transfer Window, Sounders FC brought in another centerback, Panamanian National Team captain Román Torres. The club used Targeted Allocation Money to acquire Torres, who’s widely referred to as one of the best defenders in CONCACAF. Torres played the full 90 minutes in every game he was available until Saturday night’s match against San Jose, when he was forced to exit with an injury.
If Torres is out for a significant period of time, Scott becomes vital to the Sounders down the stretch this season. Even if his opportunities to play remain sparse, his teammates view the 35-year-old as one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.
“Zach sets the training. The way he trains, I’ve not seen it before in my career,” said defender Tyrone Mears, who played 14 seasons in Europe before joining Sounders FC this year. “He treats training like a match. He wants to win every ball. He wants to win every tackle. To have him in the squad for the young players to see what it takes to be a professional soccer player, I think it’s fantastic.”
When asked about Mears’ complimentary remark, Scott replied with humility.
“It’s great coming from a guy like Tyrone who has played with world-class players,” he said. “I’m nowhere near the guys he’s played with throughout his career, so it’s nice to hear from him. It’s something I’ve kind of always hung my hat on, that I’m going to leave it all out on the field whether it’s in a practice or game.”
Other than a couple of years playing indoor soccer, Scott has spent his entire professional career with the Sounders. Dating back to his first season with the USL Sounders in 2002, the Hawaii native has made more than 300 appearances for the club. On Saturday he reached 100 MLS regular-season appearances for the Rave Green, a milestone hit by only six other players.
Scott wasn’t even aware of approaching 100 games, just as he had no idea about the 300 mark when it came up last season. It’s that selfless attitude, along with his longevity and the many trophies he’s helped the club win, that has earned Scott the nickname “Mr. Sounder.”
“He’s just a fantastic pro,” said Sounders FC Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “He’s a player who appreciates what he does for a living. And I think being around him, it’s contagious for the players when he says, ‘Hey guys, we’re getting paid to play this game.’ He comes out, puts in the effort, is focused and sets a great example for all his teammates.”
Scott has helped the Rave Green earn a home win over Toronto FC and a road draw with San Jose in the last two games. Torres was on international duty during the Toronto match, and then Scott replaced the injured Torres for the final 45 minutes of last weekend’s contest.
Despite the urge to consistently earn minutes, Scott’s mentality hasn’t changed since the Panamanian defender arrived last month.
“Not at all, because I still feel like Chad, Román and I are all interchangeable. And that’s the way it should be,” he said. “The season’s long enough that no one’s going to get through it completely healthy. There’s going to be international call-ups, and there’s going to be suspensions and there’s going to be nicks and bruises. You need to have at least three guys that can go in there seamlessly.
“Chad and I are very familiar with each other, and I look forward to playing with Román. But right now, it doesn’t change the mentality at all. It’s just another guy to push us and help us get better.”
As far as his future is concerned, Scott says he’s still unsure. This isn’t the first time he’s been in mainly a reserve role for the Sounders, but playing in 2016 would mark the 15th professional season for the 35-year-old.
“It’s a conversation my wife and I have every offseason,” Scott said. “We decide what’s next for us, and if soccer’s still in the cards, we’ll do it. But right now, my main focus and my family’s main focus is this year, staying healthy, continuing to get minutes and winning a championship.”
