Sounders Loan Andrew Duran To Atlanta Silverbacks

In what could be a growing trend among MLS teams, the Seattle Sounders loaned Andrew Duran to the Atlanta Silverbacks, the team announced on Friday. Duran had yet to appear in a MLS game for the Sounders and with their defenders getting closer to full health, there didn't appear to be many minutes to go around. Further limiting his potential opportunities is the fact that the Sounders don't have another Reserve League game until Aug. 6.

Although no timeline was given on the length of the loan, the Sounders would likely be able to recall Duran if the need arose a release from the Silverbacks says it is for the rest of their season. That would keep him with Atlanta at least until Sept. 22.

Duran was the Sounders' first-round pick in the most recent SuperDraft, but suffered an early setback when he missed several weeks of training due to a knee injury. Although he has fully recovered from that and coaches seem to be generally happy with his progress, he doesn't appear ready to leapfrog the likes of Zach Scott -- who's the primary backup at the two positions Duran plays.

The Sounders have made a habit of working closely with lower-division teams in the past. Alex Caskey, Bryan Meredith and Michael Tetteh are all players on the current roster who have been spent time in the lower divisions, either on loans or under the advice of the Sounders.