Seattle, Washington — The champion is coming back to the Emerald City. Brad Smith, who was part of last season’s MLS Cup winning Seattle Sounders team, has re-joined the club. In 2019, Smith was part of the Sounders on a loan deal. Originally, Smith joined the Sounders on loan midway through the 2018 season.
This time, he’s with the Sounders as a free agent signing.
Smith was on loan from AFC Bournemouth in England. He returned to the club after winning MLS Cup. However, his short stint with the English club is over, and it’s Seattle’s gain. Brian Schmetzer, Sounders head coach, called Smith
“Brad… helped us win a championship at home in 2019,” Schmetzer said. “He is a good guy to have in the locker room and already has established relationships with players on our team. I’m looking forward to bringing him back into the squad.”
Smith will have to wait to join the Sounders, as he will have a mandatory quarantine period.
“We are very excited to bring in Brad, a proven winner who adds even more speed and athleticism to our squad,” Garth Lagerwey, Sounders general manager, said. “With Brad being out of contract, this was a uniquely good deal for us, allowing the club to add a high impact player during this unorthodox season.”
Smith started 28 of 31 regular-season appearances for the Sounders, and also started all four of his playoff appearances in 2019. He has yet to score in a Sounders uniform, but provided eight overall assists.
Smith joins a Sounders team that has been using midfielder Joevin Jones in the left back spot, along with rotating Nouhou Tolo in and out of the spot. The move will now allow for Jones to push up into the midfield.
Is this real life?!! pic.twitter.com/7vVMh1gnYb
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 17, 2020
What’s next for the Sounders & Brad Smith?
Seattle now has two of four defenders on their roster that started last year’s MLS Cup Final against Toronto FC. On the other side, Kelvin Leerdam, a right back who has scored three goals already in 2020, started in the final.
Due to the mandatory quarantine period, the Sounders will be without Brad Smith for Friday night’s match against Los Angeles FC. The contest will air at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+.
