Tacoma Defiance have announced the signings of Edson Carli and Cris Batiz ahead of the team’s season opener on Sunday against LAFC 2 at Starfire Stadium.
“Cris and Edson have both earned this opportunity through their work in the academy and the progress they’ve shown over time,” Sounders FC Director of Development Wade Webber said in a team release. “They’ve embraced the standards we set and continued to push themselves in training and competition. We believe they’re ready for the next step in the professional pathway, and we’re excited to see how they grow within the Defiance environment.”
Edson Carli is a familiar face for those that followed the Defiance last season. The 18-year-old, who originally joined the academy in July of 2022, played more than 1,200 minutes and ended the season with two goals and three assists.
Cris Batiz is a 14-year-old who has been a part of the academy for a year after joining in February of 2025. He joined the club from Academia Internacional de Fútbol Leones in Honduras. He is now the youngest player to sign a professional contract in Sounders organization history.
“Cris and Edson have worked hard within our academy and consistently shown the growth that made this moment possible,” said Tacoma Defiance Head Coach Paulo Nagamura. “We’re excited to welcome them into our group because they’ve shown the right mindset and commitment throughout their time in the system. They’ve earned the trust of the staff and now we’re looking forward to helping them continue their development with Defiance.”
Both players bring excitement for different reasons. Carli showed offensive creativity that has not historically been developed by the club, while also being versatile and able to get on the field in various positions. Batiz, who may not play a ton with Defiance this year, was considered promising enough that signing him was a priority regardless.
TRANSACTION: Tacoma Defiance signs midfielder Edson Carli and forward Cris Batiz to MLS NEXT Pro contracts on February 24, 2026. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Full Name: Edson Carli
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 160
Hometown: Lake Forest Park, Washington
Date of Birth: August 23, 2007 in Lake Forest Park, Washington
Nationality: United States
Acquired: Signed to Tacoma Defiance on February 24, 2026
Full Name: Cris Batiz
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Weight: 120
Hometown: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Date of Birth: March 28, 2011 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Nationality: Honduras
Acquired: Signed to Tacoma Defiance on February 24, 2026
Defiance roster (11)
Goalkeepers (1): Shour
Defenders (3): Lopez, Gaffney, Phoenix
Midfielders (4): Carli, Dodzi, Gnaulati, Hassan, Kingston
Forwards (1): Batiz, Bronnick
