Tacoma adds another Sounders U17 standout

As Tacoma’s USL team’s identity remains unknown their soccer operations continue to add talent. The latest addition is Josh Atencio, one of the stars of the Seattle Sounders U17s, who won a national trophy in 2018. Atencio’s signing brings that group to seven players who are now pros from that squad.

The Bellevue product turns 17 at the end of the month, but already has experience at that USL level. Josh’s first minutes against professionals was against Portland Timbers 2; he scored. In 2017-18 he played 26 games - mostly as a defensive midfielder — between USSDA and USL action, scoring two goals. He currently stands somewhere around 6’1”, 174 pounds, and, if he continues to grow, may wind up moving back to be a ball-control centerback as he continues his professional advancement.

“Josh is another talented product of our Academy,” said Sounders FC Director of Player Development Marc Nicholls. “ He leads by example and is an extremely popular character amongst his peers. Josh made a great impression in limited action for S2 last season, and we’re excited to see what he can do over the course of a full season.”

Atencio and a vast majority of the professionals signed to Tacoma were at First Practice earlier on Tuesday Jan. 22. If they maximize their performance they could earn a spot on the MLS roster by the end of preseason (this is a big tease, we’ll have more on this soon).