David Estrada has been traded to D.C. United. The news was first reported by Steven Goff at the Washington Post and since confirmed by Sounder at Heart. Goff's report says the Seattle Sounders will receive a "future" draft pick. DC United announced the Sounders will receive a third-round pick in the 2017 SuperDraft.
"David has been a fantastic member of our organization, both on and off the field, for the past five years," Sounders Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer said in a team release. "He has made great contributions to the team's performance and has been very involved in the community. We wish David the very best at D.C. United."
The former first-round draft pick had clearly fallen out of the Sounders' plans over the past couple seasons. After a career-high 1,087 minutes in 2012, Estrada was limited to just four starts last year and had only made one appearance this season. Although his most promising minutes had been played at forward -- where he once scored a hat trick -- Estrada had been moved all over the field in reserve games this year, most frequently as a right back.
But Estrada has also been sent out on loan three times -- twice to the Charlotte Eagles -- and has been playing forward each time. Chances are, DC United see him as someone who can help bolster their attack.
In DC, Estrada will be reunited with former teammates Eddie Johnson, Alex Caskey and Jeff Parke.
Although this won't free up much salary cap space -- Estrada was making the league minimum -- the move does leave the Sounders with two open roster spots even after Damion Lowe and Kevin Parsemain return from the injured reserve.