TUKWILA, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 has acquired forwards Mike Ramos and Hiroki Kobayashi, as well as midfielder Nick Hamer via loan from USL PDL side Kitsap Pumas SC ahead of Thursday’s USL match between S2 and Real Monarchs SLC (7:30 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com). Per club and league policy, additional terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
“We have a good relationship with the Pumas coaches and ownership, and they have a group of players that we know well,” said S2 General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz. “This is a great opportunity to get a look at Ramos, Hamer and Kobayashi in USL play at a time when the depth of our club is being tested. It's a good opportunity for them to compete at this level, and I expect they'll do well with the club.
Ramos, 24, scored one goal against S2 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round on May 20 at Starfire Stadium, an equalizing strike that sent the match into extra time.
Kobayashi, 23, had seven goals and four assists while playing for Harvard University and spent his preseason training under S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson.
Hamer, 23, attended Gonzaga University and was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year with the Bulldogs. Hamer recorded five goals and nine assists in his time at Gonzaga.
"Mike, Nick and Hiroki have all worked extremely hard since joining the Kitsap Pumas and I am delighted they will have an opportunity to compete at the USL level,” said Pumas Head Coach Cameron MacDonald. “The Seattle Sounders are a fantastic organization and we are happy to work with them on this matter."
S2 (7-5-2, 23 points) currently sits in fifth place in the USL Western Conference and faces Real Monarchs (1-7-5, 8 points) at Starfire Stadium on Thursday, June 25 (7:30 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com). The Rave Green then travels to Portland to face Timbers 2 on Monday, June 29 (7:00 p.m. PT / live-streamed on SoundersFC.com) at Merlo Field.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC 2 acquires forwards Mike Ramos and Hiroki Kobayashi, and midfielder Nick Hamer via loan from Kitsap Pumas SC
Name: Mike Ramos
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Birthdate: January 29, 1991
Birthplace: Spokane, Washington
Citizenship: United States
Previous Clubs: Kitsap Pumas SC (2015)
Name: Hiroki Kobayashi
Pronunciation: hi-ROW-kee ko-by-OSH-ee
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Birthdate: December 26, 1992
Birthplace: Okazaki, Japan
Citizenship: Japan
Previous Clubs: Kitsap Pumas SC (2015)
Name: Nick Hamer
Pronunciation: HAY-mer
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-2
Weight: 165
Birthdate: August 30, 1991
Birthplace: Spokane, Washington
Citizenship: United States
Previous Clubs: Kitsap Pumas SC (2015)
