:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25258707/20130818_jel_at5_010.0.jpg)
The Seattle Sounders have re-signed left back Leo Gonzalez, the team announced on Monday. The Costa Rican left back was one of six players on the roster who played for the team in 2009.
When healthy, Gonzalez has been among the top left back ins MLS. In 2013, he tied a career high with 27 appearances and only once played more than the 2,318 minutes he logged.
Gonzalez's impact was probably best illustrated by how the team faired when he didn't play, as they went 1-3-3 without their left back and allowed 14 goals in seven games. By contrast, the Sounders were 14-9-4 with a 1.03 goals against average in his starts. He was also fourth among all defenders with 3.7 tackles per game and was fourth among left back with 3.4 clearances per game, according to the stat website WhoScored.com.
