Seattle Sounders: 2020 Preview – Back-to-back titles?
By Matt Coles
Offseason Summary
Squad Retention
The entirety of the Seattle Sounders’ attacking core remains with the club for the 2020 season as they aim to become the first side to retain the MLS Cup since the LA Galaxy did so in 2012. Raul Ruidiaz and Jordan Morris will again be the focal points of the Rave Green’s attack, with the likes of Will Bruin and Justin Dhillon aiming to provide goals as well.
The trio of Gustav Svensson, Nicolas Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan will again be integral to the Sounders’ midfield, with the likes of Jordy Delem and Harry Shipp adding cover. Joevin Jones, Kelvin Leerdam, Alex Roldan and Nouhou Tolo all have plenty of MLS experience, while Stefan Frei will continue to be the No.1 in between the sticks for the Sounders.
Transfers & SuperDraft Picks
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Seattle have seen nine players leave the club this offseason, including five of the first team’s defenders. The biggest name to leave was Panamanian superstar Roman Torres, who saw his option declined following substance abuse issues. The centre-half joins Inter Miami ahead of their inaugural campaign.
Goalkeeper Bryan Meredith will also play in Miami this season after he was selected by the new-boys in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft. Jonathan Campbell and Saad Abdul-Salaam were the two other defenders to see their options declined.
Brad Smith and South Korea’s Kim Kee-hee were out of contract, while Victor Rodriguez and Mexican striker Luis Silva also left the Sounders following the conclusion of the 2019 season. Finally, Argentinian Emanuel Cecchini is on loan with Union de Santa Fe through to the end of 2020.
In return for that loan deal, Colombian defender Yeiman Gomez Andrade signed on a permanent deal, with Joao Paulo also making the move from South America, signing for Seattle from Brazilian side Botafogo. Three players have also joined the Sounders from MLS rivals, with goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland making the move from the Chicago Fire, Shane O’Neill joining from Orlando City and Miguel Ibarra coming in on a free transfer from Minnesota United.
The Sounders traded away their first-round pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft and had two selections in the second round. UNC Wilmington defender Danny Reynolds was taken with the 35th pick, before the Sounders chose UNLV midfielder Timo Mehlich with the final pick in the second round. Julian Avila-Good then joined his hometown club after being selected 78th overall.