Sounders FC brass came into Thursday’s Major League Soccer draft already feeling pretty good about their team. After adding two new players — defender Andrew Duran and forward Babayele Sodade — they believe an already deep roster is a little better.
Duran, a defender from Creighton University, was selected by Seattle in the first round with the 15th overall pick, and figures to provide depth on the back line as a versatile defender who can play center back and on the right side. The 6-foot-3 Sodade, a second-round pick, is a forward from the University of Alabama at Birmingham who will give Sounders FC some needed size up front.
However given the strong group of players Seattle has coming back, as well as the additions it has already made this offseason, Duran and Sodade will have to work hard to earn their roles on the team. Unlike most other American professional sports that rely heavily on the draft to build teams, MLS squads use other methods of acquiring talent more so than they do the draft.
“We were very comfortable with our team coming into the draft,” general manager Adrian Hanauer said on a conference call. “… So it’s going to be a battle. Duran and Sodade will have to come in and work hard coming out of this draft. We have a very deep and strong team and we hope they prove to us that they belong on the roster and ultimately earn minutes and have an impact on the team.”
When Seattle opens its preseason training next week, Duran and Sodade will benefit from the fact that they fill needs on the team. Seattle has its likely starting center backs in Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Jeff Parke, but needs depth in the back, particularly given the crowded schedule they will face with CONCACAF Champions League play and the U.S. Open Cup adding games to an already long MLS season. Duran, a second-team NSCAA All-American and the Missouri Valley Conference defensive player of the year, helped lead the Bluejays to their first College Cup — college soccer’s final four — while anchoring one of the nation’s best defenses.
“He’s a player that we like, who’s very comfortable on the ball, who’s very steady and was the main defender on the team that was the best defensive team in the country last year,” Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said on a conference call. “He’s got to be doing something right.”
Sodade, meanwhile, gives Seattle size up front, something Sounders FC doesn’t have much of, particularly with the departure of Nate Jaqua, whom Seattle elected not to re-sign, and the question marks surrounding O’Brian White, who missed most of last season after having surgery to remove a blood clot from his leg.
“He’s a big presence up front, he’s got good pace,” Schmid said. “Obviously for us, one of our concerns as we go into this season is the recovery of O’Brian White, so we’ve got some forwards. We went on the move and we got [Sammy] Ochoa, but Sodade is different. He’s a much bigger body than Sammy. He showed well at the combine, he’s had a good career at UAB and he’s the kind of player who could be a surprise guy like [Kansas City forward] C.J. Sapong was last year.”
Duran is the third recent addition to Seattle’s defense joining veteran Marc Burch, who Seattle took in last month’s re-entry draft, and Swedish right back Adam Johannson, who was signed in December. Duran’s standout career at Creighton was twice interrupted by knee injuries, including one that cost him most of the 2010 season, but he says the injuries are behind him and that he’s eager to begin a professional career.
“I feel great, actually,” Duran said. “I had injured my knee in the 2010 season, but I came back last year and felt great — no swelling, no anything. I’ve been healthy since then and it’s just been a blessing.
“I’m excited to play and just get into an organization where I have the chance to improve as a player. I plan on improving every aspect of my game.”
Duran is the third first-round pick in Sounders FC history, joining Steve Zakuani, the first overall pick in 2009, and David Estrada, the 11th pick in 2010. Seattle traded last season’s first round pick.
Andrew Wenger, a forward/defender from Duke was the No. 1 overall pick selected by the expansion Montreal Impact. University of Washington midfielder Jacob Hustedt was selected in the second round by San Jose.
Former Husky headed to England
According to the University of Washington, former defender George John, a Shorewood High School grad, will play for English club West Ham United on loan from F.C. Dallas, where he has played since 2009. West Ham currently plays is the Football League Championship, England’s second-highest level, having been relegated from the Premier League after last season.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
