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Marc Burch, formerly of D.C. United, negotiated new terms with the Seattle Sounders. Burch will compete with Leo Gonzalez for starting time at left back, but per today's release Coach Sigi Schmid sees him adding needed depth.
"We are happy to have Marc signed," said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC head coach. "He will be a welcome addition to an already deep team."
Burch believes Seattle has what it takes to win an MLS Cup and states that he enjoyed the team's style of a play from afar. He played part of 2006 for Sigi Schmid with the Columbus Crew.
While the roster slots seem to be getting tight with 26 officially on the club and three others quite likely so, during the Johansson conference call Technical Director Chris Henderson said that more bodies will be in training camp than will make the team. While the competition will not be as broad in years past, it will still exist both in competition for the First Team as well as just to make the 30 man at all. Seattle has six picks in the upcoming MLS SuperDraft as well as their international connections in the Caribbean, East Africa, Central America and Scandinavia.
Press Release Follows
Sounders FC Signs Defender Marc Burch Former D.C. United Player Had Been Selected in Re-Entry Process Stage 2 Draft RENTON, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC has signed defender March Burch, it was announced today. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed. Burch, 27, had been selected by Seattle during the MLS Re-Entry Process Stage 2 Draft on December 12. He had spent the past five seasons with D.C. United. "We are happy to have Marc signed," said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC head coach. "He will be a welcome addition to an already deep team." "I'm excited to take another step forward in my career and to play again for Sigi in Seattle," Burch said. "Seattle has made an impact during its short history since coming into league. I've always respected the way the Sounders played and I just want to help push them further. " "The Sounders have done well in their first few seasons, making the playoffs and winning the Open Cup," he added. "I would like to help them take that next step, to go further in the Champions League and the MLS playoffs. I believe they have what it takes to win an MLS Cup and hopefully I can help them achieve that." A six-year MLS veteran, Burch has made 81 starts in 103 regular season appearances. He played in 17 games, starting 11, in 2011. He has three career goals and 10 assists. A standout at Maryland, he was drafted by L.A. in the second round of the 2006 SuperDraft, and traded to Columbus later that season, where he first played for Schmid. Burch was dealt to D.C. United in 2007. Transaction: Seattle Sounders (MLS) - Signed DF Marc Burch Marc Burch Position: Defender Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 Birthdate/Birthplace: 5/7/1984 in Cincinnati, Ohio Hometown (Citizenship): Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) College: University of Maryland Last Club: D.C. United (2007-11) Previous Clubs: L.A. Galaxy (2006), Columbus Crew (2006)