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Seattle Sounders: Adding depth in the Midfield and at Right Back

By Matthew Nelson

09 December 2016: Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer. Seattle Sounders FC held a training session one day before playing in MLS Cup 2016 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
09 December 2016: Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer. Seattle Sounders FC held a training session one day before playing in MLS Cup 2016 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario in Canada. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Seattle Sounders officially sign right back Jordan McCray and MLS SuperDraft pick Alex Roldan to the Sounders first team, adding depth at right back and in the midfield.

On Tuesday the Seattle Sounders announced the signings of Jordan McCray and Alex Roldan. Roldan was selected 22nd overall by the Sounders in the MLS SuperDraft and Jordan McCray joins the Rave Green after spending last season with Toronto FC II in the USL. Both players will play an important role in the 2018 season, especially in the first few weeks.

Alex Roldan Adds Depth During a Hectic Schedule

Even though it seems like Seattle’s midfield is as deep as ever with the signing of Magnus Wolff Eikrem, Jordy Delem’s impressive performances in the preseason, and Ozzy Alonso recovering from injury, Alex Roldan will add another piece to this midfield depth, especially as the schedule gets much more hectic with the Sounders competing in the CONCACAF Champions League, the US Open Cup, and the MLS regular season. He will probably even get some solid minutes this summer with the adjustments that will be made as Lodeiro, Svensson, and Torres are most likely going to the World Cup.

Similarly to his older brother Cristian Roldan, Alex Roldan can play anywhere in the midfield and, if need be, can also sit at right back, giving the Sounders a solid depth option in multiple positions. Once the games start piling up for Seattle, we should expect Roldan to be coming off the bench fairly often as well as starting a game or two.

Jordan McCray Becomes Much Needed Right Back Depth

With the selling of Oneil Fisher to DC United, Seattle was desperate to sign a natural right back to play under Kelvin Leerdam. McCray was drafted by the New England Revolution 10th overall in the 2016 SuperDraft but never once stepped on the field during MLS play. He was a key player and a consistent starter for Toronto FC II last season with 19 starts and 27 appearances.

To make the right back situation even more pressing, Leerdam was carted off the field after a collision with teammate Seyi Adekoya during training and is expected to at least miss Seattle’s first competitive match next Thursday against Santa Tecla in the CCL. The biggest question surrounding McCray now is whether Schmetzer has enough confidence in the 24-year-old to start him in the opening few games while Leerdam recovers. Other options to play at right back would be Gustav Svensson, Alex or Cristian Roldan, or Jordy Delem.

Next: MLS Multiplex Podcast: S02E01 – Recapping the MLS Offseason and talking USMNT

Both players, who seemed like extra depth at the beginning of the preseason, look like they might play an important role in the Sounders’ 2018 season, especially with injuries and the possibility of losing Lodeiro, Torres, and Svensson to World Cup duty.

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