Hassani Dotson is coming home. The Federal Way native, who spent the first seven seasons of his MLS career with Minnesota United, has signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Sounders, the club announced on Tuesday. Dotson is signed through the 2027-28 season with an option for 2028-29.
Although the the 28-year-old is coming off a season in which he missed about six months with a torn meniscus, he has at times been one of the top two-way midfielders in MLS and immediately makes the Sounders’ central midfield core one of the deepest in MLS. Prior to last season, Dotson had scored 16 goals in his first six seasons, which included a five-goal, four-assist campaign in 2024.
“Hassani has shown a high level of quality during his years in MLS,” Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel said in a team release. “His versatility, competitiveness and willingness to do the hard work make him an ideal fit for our group. We’re excited to welcome Hassani to the club and confident he will contribute to the success of the team.”
If not for his injury last season, Dotson likely would have been one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. In the previous two seasons, he had averaged more than 2,500 minutes and four goals while helping lift Minnesota United into a solid playoff team.
In joining the Sounders, Dotson also returns to his Pacific Northwest roots. Dotson went to Federal Way’s Beamer High School and played collegiately at Oregon State.
“Hassani is a player who understands the demands of this league and that’s important for us,” Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said. “He’s a smart soccer player, does the simple things well and gives you honest minutes in whatever role you ask of him. We think he can come in, do his job for this team and give us reliability in the middle of the field. I’m looking forward to seeing how he settles into our group.”
