TUKWILA — The Seattle Sounders’ results are ticking up while time is ticking down on the current player transfer window.
However, coach Sigi Schmid reaffirmed Wednesday that the club remains as interested as ever in adding an impact player — sooner or later. This primary transfer window will close Wednesday, May 11, while the secondary transfer window opens July 4 through Aug. 3.
“It hasn’t changed our thinking at all,” Schmid said. “We still knew we wanted to make that move and we still wanted to make sure we made the right move.”
Schmid didn’t name any names. However, the SounderAtHeart website did float a possibility: David Llanos, a 26-year-old forward from Chile.
The existing Seattle roster seems well stocked at forward: designated player Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez, homegrown goals-leader Jordan Morris, veteran reserve Herculez Gomez and promising newcomer Oalex Anderson. However, for all the name recognition, resume and dollars invested, they have combined for only four goals: three by Morris, one by Dempsey. The second-leading goal scorer so far is centerback Chad Marshall, with two.
Earlier this season, general manager Garth Lagerwey said the club plans to add another designated player and perhaps an additional impact signing. And he mentioned particular interest in an attacking midfielder.
Schmid wasn’t that specific Wednesday.
“We’ve looked at different areas,” he said.
The club also has been weighing the advantages and disadvantages of this transfer window or the next. Obviously, a player signed sooner can help sooner. But waiting brings salary cap advantages and perhaps a wider field of candidates.
“We want to make sure that we make the right decision and not an impulse decision,” Schmid said. “When that’s going to exactly happen, don’t know. It’s tougher in this window because the guys we’re looking at are all quality guys.”
The Sounders started their season with three straight losses, but they have gone 3-1-1 since. They stand ninth in the Western Conference heading into their Saturday match against the San Jose Earthquakes at CenturyLink Field.
Added time
Paraguay has placed Valdez on its provisional roster for a summer U.S. tour that will precede Copa America Centenario, and Jamaica has named Seattle midfielder Oniel Fisher. That raises the number of Sounders eligible for the summer tournament to six, along with USA selections Dempsey, Morris and centerback Brad Evans. … The Sounders will get a look at the actual Copa America Centenario trophy Thursday. The trophy is in Seattle as part of a nationwide tour. It will be taken to CenturyLink Field while the club trains. The trophy will make be on display around the area through Saturday. Public viewing opportunities will be 10:30-11:20 a.m. Friday at Pike Place Market; 10-11 a.m. Saturday at MOHAI; 11-noon Saturday at the UW Windemere Cup competition; 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday at The Ninety at the Sounders’ downtown offices, and 5:45 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at Occidental Park before the March to the Match. … Schmid said midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz (quadriceps) is taking on more work in training, but his status for San Jose remains uncertain.
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