SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 has signed Gambian midfielder Amadou Sanyang and former Sounders FC Academy midfielder Duncan McCormick, the club announced today. Sanyang and McCormick are the first two players ever to be officially signed by S2 ahead of the team’s inaugural season in USL. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not being disclosed.
"Signing the team's first two players is a momentous occasion,” said S2 General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz. “Duncan and Amadou represent some of the key building blocks of S2. Duncan is a young Academy product who's a total team guy and has a lot of upside. Amadou has been one of the best midfielders in USL the last couple of years and will lead by example for the younger players. S2 is about development, and these guys are going to help us achieve the full potential of that goal.”
Sanyang, 23, has MLS experience, having played 20 games for Toronto FC across the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and again in 2011 with the Sounders FC First Team, where he made one appearance before being transferred to USL side Charleston Battery. Sanyang spent his previous two seasons with Charleston, where he made 53 appearances and scored five goals.
“Amadou was a guy I asked Andrew [Opatkiewicz] to get ahold of first,” said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “Because this is going to be mostly a younger team, I needed someone with experience. Winning is part of developing and I think Amadou is going to be a guy who can help us do that. He has been our captain so far this season and has been an extension of the coaching staff on the field.”
“It feels good to be one of the first signings to this team,” said Sanyang. “I have been in this organization before, and I feel like this is a good opportunity for me to come back and sharpen my game. Seattle is home for me now, so it’s really good to be back. I’m excited.”
Sanyang began his professional career in 2007 with Gambia’s GFA League First Division side, Real de Banjul. He helped the team to league championship and was named Midfielder of the Year for his efforts.
McCormick, 19, is a product of the Sounders FC Academy, having started all 29 games for the Academy U-18 side in the 2013-2014 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. He scored seven goals during that campaign, helping his team to a first-place finish in the USSDA Western Conference.
“I have watched Duncan in the Academy for the past three years, and he has the tenacity and bite in the midfield that you always look for in that position,” said Hendrickson. “He is good at running box-to-box and someone we decided we wanted to keep and develop further."
McCormick also spent a year in Spain playing for Spanish Third Division side Colemenar Viejo.
“It’s good to be a part of this program, especially in the first year,” said McCormick. “I see a ton of positive things coming along and it’s going to be a great stepping stone to get to the First Team. I wasn’t ready to make that jump from the Academy right away, but this allows me to do my business with S2 to hopefully make the move eventually.”
McCormick, Sanyang and Hendrickson will be available for comment following S2’s training session today at Starfire Sports during the club’s media access window, beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m. PST. Members of the media interested in attending should contact Branden Griffith for more information, as specific times and locations are subject to change.
S2 continues its preseason training this Saturday with a scrimmage against Gonzaga University at 1:00 p.m. PST on field three at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. The club opens its inaugural USL campaign on March 21 against defending USL Champion Sacramento Republic FC. Tickets to that match, as well as season ticket options – including all 14 regular season, post-season and S2 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games – are available via sndrs.com/ut4w.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC 2 signs midfielders Amadou Sanyang and Duncan McCormick on February 26, 2015 (first player signings in team history).
Name: Amadou Sanyang
Pronunciation: AH-muh-doo SAHN-yang
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
Born: August 1, 1991 in Bakau, Gambia
Citizenship: Gambia
Acquired: Signed to S2 roster on February 26, 2015
Previous Experience: Charleston Battery (2012-2014), Sounders FC (2011), Toronto FC (2009-10)
Name: Duncan McCormick
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-11
Weight: 160
Born: November 1, 1995
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed to S2 roster on February 26, 2015
Previous Experience: Sounders FC Academy (2012-13), Colemenar Viejo (Spanish Second Division, 2011), Crossfire Premier (2009-2010)
