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Meet Seyi Adekoya the Seattle Sounders new starting Forward

By Nathan Reynolds

May 31, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; The Seattle Sounders pose for a starting eleven picture before the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; The Seattle Sounders pose for a starting eleven picture before the match against the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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You weren’t alone if you did a double take this past Wednesday when the Seattle Sounders lineup was announced. MLS time to meet Seyi Adekoya.

The Seattle Sounders traveled to Columbus this past midweek with several key players out injured. But it was the USMNT camp’s call-ups that saw the young Seyi Adekoya with the opportunity to make his first career MLS start.

Both Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris were called into Bruce Arena’s camp for the upcoming matches against Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago, and Mexico over the next two weeks. Typically, that would see Will Bruin slot in up top for Seattle, but he remains sidelined with a left elbow dislocation.

https://twitter.com/seyimyname/status/848771744546430976

Enter Seyi Adekoya

Adekoya was born in Seattle, Washington and is yet another example of the thriving academy and college programs in the US. He joined the Sounders youth academy in 2013, before going to play collegiate soccer at UCLA. While in college, Seyi made 55 appearances, scoring 20 goals and helping UCLA make the NCAA tournament all three years – including a spot in the 2014 title match.

Following his junior year, Adekoya signed his first professional contract, becoming the 9th homegrown player in Sounders history. Due to the signing of Bruin, he was loaned out to Sounders 2 in USL, where he has one goal in three appearances. Now with the top three on the depth chart absent, Seyi has his chance to make a memorable mark in his rookie campaign.

Two Chances for a Perfect First Goal

Wednesday offered his first start with the senior team. But the Columbus Crew were clearly on form in the 3-0 win, and the Seattle absences proved that more time is needed for the new lineup to gel. Sunday offers Adekoya a perfect chance to land his opening senior goal. The Sounders return home, where they have won their last two, to host a Houston Dynamo side that has only picked up one point from six road games.

In front of a 40,000+ at CenturyLink Field, his hometown, and with Lodeiro serving up chances, the setup is ideal. If that fails to materialize on Sunday, Coach Schmetzer should give him another chance to start the following game as well – the Open Cup / Derby match-up against Portland on June 13th.

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The match will take place at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, where the S2 plays. A goal at home in the MLS and/or against the club’s main rivals in the Cup, offer up two wonderful chances for a perfect rookie season moment.

In two weeks Morris and Dempsey will be back (maybe even Bruin). But by then Sounders nation may have another promising young talent to get excited about. Only 21 and a homegrown player – MLS meet Seyi Adekoya.

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