Player Profile: Alvaro Fernandez

Nine different pro sides called Alvaro Fernandez theirs. Uruguay, the 4th place finisher at the 2010 World Cup, used him as a midfielder and now looks to him as a wide forward in their 4-3-3. And yet, in MLS he's merely good - or according to Hot Time In Old Town awful.

Fernandez' time with Seattle Sounders FC ended when the team could not find a way around the DP rule and needed to deal him. He went to Chicago for Allocation Money. That trade freed up the DP slot that would eventually become Christian Tiffert.

Skills on offense: There may be no better player in the past four seasons with the ball at their feet. His dribble is crafty, technical and able to beat almost every one-on-one defender. Short and medium passing is good. He can be bounced off the ball with hips & shoulders. Crossing isn't that good.

One of the better headers of the ball Seattle has seen. Great finisher in tight, he's merely an adequate finisher from distance. He has a penchant to be in the open space, despite not being fast, nor strong.

Skills on defense: While he is used in MLS as a midfielder he plays defense like a forward. He knows where to be, but his tackling is weak, though with occasional moments. Alvaro lacks the speed to harry a forward, nor the size to be an effective set-play defender.

Best Case 2013: A team that will play him as a very attacking mid, or a left wing in a 4-3-3. He lacks the strength to play as a midfielder in MLS.