Who Should Sign Alvaro Fernandez?
Seattle Sounders
Seattle was the team that brought Fernandez into the MLS, signing him as a DP from Natcional, where he spent all but ten games on loan to either Vitória or Universidad de Chile. With the Sounders, Fernandez appeared in 59 MLS games and scored 15 goals for the Rave Green (including post-season), playing almost exclusively as a wide midfielder. This included his best ever professoinal season in 2011 where he bagged 11 goals across all competitions. He left the Rave Green in 2012 when Seattle transferred him to the Chicago Fire.
As we all know by now, Seattle is struggling offensively and they need some kind of spark. Would Fernandez be the savior to come in and pull Seattle out of the hole they have fallen in? No, of course not. But would he help? I think he would. Even though he is 30-years old and arguably not the best offensive threat, Fernandez wouldn’t take up a DP spot for Seattle since the rules have changed since 2010 and he would bring a new threat to the Seattle attack. Since Fernandez is a versatile player, playing wide with Seattle and playing more as a number 8, box-to-box, role with Gimnasia, the Sounders could use him differently.
Seattle could definitely sign a better, younger player, but since Fernandez wouldn’t take up DP space or that much salary cap space, the Sounders’ front office might see it as being worth it to sign him.