Seattle Sounders Report: December 20, 2013

Most players in MLS opt to take the offseason to rest, but not Seattle Sounders midfielder Clint Dempsey. It seems that he is close to returning to Premier League side Fulham for a loan deal in the winter. Dempsey spent six seasons with the Cottagers after he began his career with the New England Revolution.

Oct 30, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey (2) during pre game warm ups prior to the game against the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Should his physical be successful, Dempsey’s loan deal would take place in January and February of 2014. This loan move would also be shot in the arm for Dempsey’s ambitions of making Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA Men’s National Team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“He’s having a medical and we’re looking into that. It would be a real boost for us. Hopefully that will all work out,” Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen told MLSSoccer.com. “Clint spent so many years playing in the Premier League and we all know where his strengths are.

“He can come in from the left or play as a second striker depending on who you’re playing against. It speaks volumes for him that he wants to come back here. Initially it’s for January and February.”

Meanwhile, forward Kenny Cooper has been acquired from FC Dallas and will be joining Sigi Schmid’s crew next season. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, as per club and league policy. Cooper has made 188 league appearances since 2006, with 72 goals and 16 assists.

KENNY COOPER
Position: Forward
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
Birthdate: October 21, 1984
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Citizenship: United States
Previous Clubs: FC Dallas (2013); New York Red Bulls (2012); Portland Timbers (2011); 1860 Munich (2009-11; loan to Plymouth Argyle, 2010); FC Dallas (2006-09); Manchester United (2004-06; loan to Academica de Coimbra, 2004; loan to Oldham Athletic, 2005)

“I’ve been fortunate the last couple of years with and alongside some great players, and I’m coming in to a team that also a lot of talent in the attack, but also in the back,” said Cooper, who came in a deal with allocation money for Adam Moffat, to SoundersFC.com’s Matt Gaschk. “The team has picked up some fantastic players in Stefan Frei and Chad Marshall, so I’m looking forward to the group that I’ll play with this year.

Oct 19, 2013; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper (33) applauds the fans after the game against the Seattle Sounders FC at Toyota Stadium. Dallas beat the Seattle 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

“I’ve had experience playing in various roles. I’m comfortable playing different positions and, at the end of the day, want the coach to feel comfortable putting me wherever it is he thinks is best. I’m an attacking forward player, so my hope is to come in and contribute to the scoring and help create goals for the team.

“Everyone gets excited to play because you know whenever you come, the seats are going to be not only filled, but filled with fans who are going to supporting their team in a great way It’s always an amazing atmosphere. I think everyone dreams of playing in that type of atmosphere and we’re so fortunate now that in this league, Seattle provides such a great place to play.

“Obviously, for the players in Seattle it’s a great experience, I can imagine, to play home games in front of them. From my experience being a player on the away team, I think it’s a game that everybody looks forward to experiencing that fan culture.”

Finally, in Stage Two of the MLS Re-Entry Process, the Sounders selected forwards Chad Barrett and Corey Hertzog. Barrett, 28, began his professional career with the Chicago Fire in 2005, and joined Toronto FC in 2008. He spent two seasons with the LA Galaxy (2011-12) before New England selected him in the 2012 Re-Entry Process. Currently, Barrett hass 44 goals and 29 assists in 211 league appearances.

As for Hertzog, he was drafted 13th overall by the New York Red Bulls in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Hertzog made five appearances over two seasons with the Red Bulls and started six of seven appearances for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2013.

“Chad is a hard-working forward who has good experience in MLS,” said Sporting Director Chris Henderson to reporters on Wednesday. “He has a nose for the goal and is able to play multiple positions. Chad has represented the USA at multiple levels, including a cap with the full team. Sigi has coached Chad in the past with the youth national team.

“Corey is a forward we followed while he was scoring goals at Penn State. He has been a proven goal scorer in college and while on loan in the USL with Wilmington. His attacking movement is good and he has an instinct to find the ball in the penalty box.”

CHAD BARRETT
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
Birthdate: 4/30/1985
Birthplace (Citizenship): San Diego, California (USA)
Previous Clubs: Chicago Fire (2005-08), Toronto FC (2008-10), LA Galaxy (2011-12), New England Revolution (2013)

COREY HERTZOG
Position: Forward
Height: 6-0
Weight: 172
Birthdate: 8/1/1990
Birthplace (Citizenship): Reading, Pennsylvania (USA)
Previous Clubs: New York Red Bulls (2011-12), Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2013)