With MLS announcing that they will have a dedicated scout looking into the AFC, and specifically working with the San Jose Earthquakes at the J-League Free Agent Combine, it is time for the Sounders, or at the least MLS, to go after this youngster hard. There's a reason I launched the Searching for a Free post with him.
The participation of the Quakes coaching staff is a direct result of the league’s expanding international scouting network. The latest addition is MLS Asian scouting coordinator Takehiko Nakamura, who will be looking to open a bigger door for players from the Asian Football Confederation to come through to ply their trade in MLS.
Great for the Earthquakes, but I see a Seattle Sounders team that could use Central Midfield and Leftback depth. Makino would be that. A long thrower, who can attack with the ball at his feet, score with his head and with a foundation as a defender first.
Seattle has lost two players (Sebastien Le Toux, Lamar Neagle) now who have moved forward from defender to attacker. It is time to SIGN one of those. A player who can transition to a new league and go from center back, to left wing back to central midfielder.
If MLS is serious about acquiring young players who are going to use the league as the final step before a Big5/G-14 signing this is the type of player they should sign.