After securing a historic sponsorship deal and the completion of a two day reunited training session at Starfire Sports Complex the Seattle Sounders packed their bags and headed down the coast for a proper ten-day preseason training session in Orange County California.
The Rave secured a new jersey-front sponsorship deal with locally-based online retailer Zulily who will also sponsor National Women’s Soccer League side Seattle Reign FC. Microsoft X -Box was the team sponsor since the entered MLS in 2009.
The Sounders did some front office shuffling when it promoted Chris Little to S2 Head Coach. Little will continue to be the Sounders FC Academy Director of Coaching and continue to oversee the development of the Sounders FC’s youth system.
VETERAN ROSTER MADE FOR FEW OFFSEASON MOVES
While the Sounders parted ways with Osvaldo Alonso the last the original Sounders in the offseason, the club was relatively quiet in off-season player acquisition The Sounders acquired former Chicago Fire defender Jonathan Campbell for defensive depth. The Sounders selected three players in the 2019 Supplement Draft.
The Rave Green grabbed Air Force Academy midfielder Tucker Bone with the 20th pick in the First Round, then chose Creighton defender Joel Rydstrand with the 20th selection of the Second Round (44th overall) and picked up San Diego State defender Aleks Berkolds in the Third Round (68th overall).
Return of Jordan Morris.
One player the Sounders are surely excited to have back is forward Jordan Morris is back and ready to go after missing the last 18 months due to a knee injury. While the Sounders were successful without Morris last year setting a record for the best second-half MLS history, the team fell short of securing a second MLS Cup.
It’s awesome the kid is really excited given he missed 18 months due to injury. Last year we were not fast enough and to add an elite player with elite speed address out greatest weakness, ” said Sounders General Garth Lagerwey when asked about the return of Morris for the 2019 season.
Preseason schedule home schedule
While the Sounders will participate in several scrimmages and some preseason games while in Orange County, the Rave Greens first home preseason game will be February 20th 7:30 p.m versus CLUB NATIONAL DE FOOTBALL. The Rave Green will start the season with a March 2nd home opener against expansion side FC Cincinnati 7:00pm.
