Player Profile #28: Will Bates

Some kids rip up college and enter MLS with high expectations, due to an ACL injury Will Bates did not have expectations. When he joined Seattle Sounders FC the club already had several players ahead of him at forward - Oba, EJ, Neagle, Estrada, Ochoa, Zavaleta, Zakuani, Lund. Breaking into that rotation was going to be brutal.

#28 Will Bates

Bates came to Seattle after a terrific college career. His injury status knocked him down in the draft rankings, but one does not simply finish in the Virginia top 10 for goals, points and game-winners because they aren't very good at soccer. Bates ended the year getting time at right back in Reserve play.

Offense: Bates strikes the ball well. His touch radius is solid. Harder to dispossess than a typical deep reserve. He reads a game well, but doesn't have the speed to exploit defenses. At forward he's short for a target man. His crossing is decent enough for use in wide positions. Needs more experience reading game in non-TF roles to know which is the right pass. Could be a good poaching man in set-play attacks.

Defense: Doesn't recover well. He uses his body when challenging for balls. Doesn't go to ground often. Is not the type to harry defenders when up top. Plays tighter to the 18 when at right back. Better 1-on-1 than positional defense.

Physique: Built thick and not very fast, Bates is a bit agile for his size and speed. Shorter than a typical target man and not quick enough for a typical right back.

Best Case 2014: Bates needs a loan to a lower league. He also needs a position. He may not be built for an MLS level target man. His touch is such that he could be interesting in some midfield roles or further developing at right back.

* advanced stats will be listed for players meeting a minimum amount of minutes played. Thanks to sidereal for the assist doing formatting and data collection.