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Seattle Sounders: Analyzing Seattle’s 2018 MLS SuperDraft Picks

By Matthew Nelson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Seattle Sounders FC draft table with head coach Brian Schmetzer (center) and executives Garth Lagerway (left) and Chris Henderson (right) during the MLS SuperDraft 2018 on January 19, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Seattle Sounders FC draft table with head coach Brian Schmetzer (center) and executives Garth Lagerway (left) and Chris Henderson (right) during the MLS SuperDraft 2018 on January 19, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Seattle Sounders picked up three players the in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft as they prepare for the 2018 season, adding depth in midfield and the backline.

The MLS SuperDraft: A time where dreams come true and teams add depth to their rosters. The Seattle Sounders picked up three players in this year’s draft, one in each of the first three rounds. Here’s what to expect from these players moving forward:

Alex Roldan, M, Seattle University

The Sounders chose Alex Roldan, younger brother of current Sounder Cristian Roldan, with the 22nd overall pick of the SuperDraft. Roldan can play either in the center of the pitch or at right back, similarly to his older brother. He has spent a few offseasons training with the Sounders already and looks to be a perfect fit for the Seattle locker room.

Roldan will likely be spending most of this season with Sounders 2 in the USL. The future, though, looks very bright for the 21-year-old and Sounders fans should expect him to be a part of the first team in the coming years, making a Roldan-Roldan midfield a real possibility.

Markus Fjortoft, D, Duke University

With the second pick of the second round of the SuperDraft, the Sounders chose Markus Fjortoft. Fjortoft is a giant of a center back, coming in at 6’5″ and has experience playing with the Red Bulls’ U-23 side.

Similarly to Alex Roldan, Fjortoft will be spending most of the season, if not all, with Sounders 2. Though most of the attention has been given to the drafting of Roldan, Fjortoft is just as important of a draft. With Seattle’s most prominent centerbacks aging, Torres, Marshall, and Svennson, some youth needed to be added to the roster.

With Tony Alfaro getting minutes and Sam Rogers making his way up the ranks, Markus Fjortoft’s addition could be important in the next few years if he is developed well. Given the quick start to the season with CONCACAF Champions League action, his addition to the CB depth chart may be needed in early MLS games.

Chris Bared, D, Villanova University

In the third round and with the 68th overall pick, the Sounders drafted Villanova right back Chris Bared. The 21-year-old has played with Panama in the U-17 and U-20 World Cups, giving him plenty of experience and at a fairly high level.

Bared will most likely not get much first-team action for the coming years. He will be at least behind Kevin Leerdam, Nouhou, and Oniel Fisher in the pecking order. Game time with Sounders 2 in the USL will help continue his development and show the front office what his short and long-term potential looks like.

Next: New York Red Bulls: Reviewing and Grading the 2018 MLS Draft Class

The Sounders came away fairly successful overall in the SuperDraft, though we most likely won’t see the fruits of it this season. A year or two down the line if it safe to predict Alex Roldan making an impact on the first team with Fjortoft likely to start making some appearances as the old guard is phased out.

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