Official: Marco Pappa picked by Seattle Sounders FC

After a couple years with Heerenveen in the Eredivise (Netherlands) Marco Pappa returned to Major League Soccer. Since he was sold for a fee he comes back to the league via the Allocation Ranking. Seattle Sounders FC sat atop that ranking and decided that Pappa fit their needs for an attacking midfielder.

A vast majority of Pappa's play is on the left side. In his more than 8000 MLS minutes with the Fire he slotted home 26 goals and earned 16 assists. Those decent numbers are slightly more score-y than Brad Evans with a couple less assists.

Sporting Director Chris Henderson has high praise of Pappa:

“Marco is a proven and established player who has been very productive in this league,” said Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “He has the technical quality to create chances for himself and his teammates at any moment. Marco has been able to adapt his game to the International level. He is a high-character guy who brings excitement and quality to our midfield.”

Coach Sigi Schmid indicated that one wide midfielder would play higher than the other and Pappa certainly fits that mold. It remains to be seen whether Pappa figures into the Sounders' long-term plans, as other clubs have been rumored to want him, but Pappa is now a Sounder and will likely immediately slot in as their starting left midfielder.

At only 26, Pappa is another Sounder who will look to recreate the magic he had in MLS prior to a difficult stretch in a solid European league.