SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it has traded the rights to midfielder Marco Pappa to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for general allocation money. Per MLS and club policy, additional terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
“It's tough to let a good, creative, technical player like Marco go, but we felt compelled to complete this agreement in order to create the resources to build our team for the long-term,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “We wish him all the best in Colorado and thank him for all the big moments he contributed to in Seattle over the past two years.”
Pappa, 28, recorded nine goals and 11 assists in 49 MLS regular season appearances for Sounders FC after joining the club prior to the 2014 campaign. After recording six goals and five assists in 29 MLS games in 2014, the Guatemalan international registered a new career-high with six assists to go along with three goals this past season. Pappa most notably scored a brace in the final 10 minutes of the 2014 regular season finale against the LA Galaxy, securing a 2-0 win and the 2014 Supporters’ Shield for the Rave Green.
Prior to joining Sounders FC, Pappa scored 26 goals and recorded 16 assists from 2008-2012 with the Chicago Fire. He has 49 career international caps and 11 goals for the Guatemalan National Team, which currently has three points after two fixtures in Group C of CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Sounders FC begins its preseason preparations for the 2016 campaign next month, with the club taking part in a pair of Desert Friendlies in Tucson against Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Portland Timbers in early February. Additional preseason details will be announced in the weeks ahead.