Sounders pass in re-entry draft’s 1st round

The Seattle Sounders passed in the first phase of the Major League Soccer re-entry draft Friday, but there were indications of other moves to come.

Midfielder Marco Pappa is on the verge of being traded to the Colorado Rapids, probably for financial considerations, according to the Denver Post, Kyle McCarthy of the Boston Herald and others. The Sounders had no comment.

Last week, the club had declined the option on Pappa’s contract, citing a significant increase in his salary for 2016. Early Friday, Pappa and veteran defender Zach Scott were removed from the re-entry draft list.

That was seen as setting the stage for the trade of Pappa, 28, who had three goals and six assists in 20 MLS appearances last season.

Meanwhile, the removal of Scott, 35, could indicate his decision to retire, perhaps to assume another role with the club. Sounders FC had no comment on his status either.

Those moves left defender Leo Gonzalez as the only remaining player eligible for the re-entry draft, and he was not taken.

The only players selected were Maximiliano Urruti, formerly of Portland and now moving to Dallas; and Alex Kann, moving from Chicago to Kansas City.

There is generally more movement in the second-phase of the re-entry draft, because clubs become free to renegotiate contracts with players rather than assuming their existing contract. That second phase of the draft will be held Thursday.