Following a few days off for rest and travel, the Seattle Sounders FC resumes preseason training this week in La Manga, Spain.
Seattle faces Norwegian champion Rosenborg BK in the opening Group A match of the La Manga Cup II on Thursday, then plays either Denmark’s FC Norsjalland or Norway’s Stabak on Sunday.
The tournament’s eight-team field is split into two, four-team groups. Group B includes Molde FK (Norway), FC Krylia Sovetov (Russia), FC Midtjylland (Denmark) and SK Brann (Norway)
The tournament concludes with crossover matches Feb. 25-26.
La Manga marks the Sounders’ second overseas excursion. Prior to the inaugural 2009 season, Sounders FC played and trained in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Roster moves
Seattle on Tuesday completed the transfer of defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, extended the contract of midfielder Brad Evans and re-signed defender Tyson Wahl.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Hurtado, 25, played with Seattle last season while on loan from Colombia’s Deportivo Cali. His rights have now been permanently acquired by Sounders FC. Hurtado was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year and a member of the MLS All-Star team in 2009. He appeared in 27 games, starting 26.
Evans, 24, scored three goals and added two assists for Seattle in 2009. He started 25 matches and was a substitute in two others.
Wahl, 25, started nine times and appeared in 12 contests in 2009. He is entering his fifth MLS season.
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