As Sounders 2 looks to rebuild after a poor 2016 season, a few of the player will get a look to join the first team (Nouhou Tolo, Jordy Delem, and Zach Mathers). The next batch of S2 players to earn their way to first team started signing today.
Antigua & Barbuda 18-year-old forward Javorn Stevens signed, pending completion of his International Transfer Certificate. Stevens succeeded in the Caribbean U20 tournament when he scored six goals, helping the small nation earn a spot in the CONCACAF U20s. His signing was rumored back in December.
Academy talent Lorenzo Ramos becomes the third product of the Sounders youth system to sign to S2. Just 19, the central midfielder earned USL minutes in each of the past two seasons. In 2016 he made 15 appearances and scored a goal.
S2 also extended the contract of Carlos Irvin Parra, the late season signing from Kaiserslautern II. At 23, Parra is one of the older players on the roster at this time. Parra made just six starts and scored once.
There is a long list of declined options — Devon Fisher, Michael Nelson, Willy Kapawa, Mark O'Ojong, Myron Samuel — and players out-of-contract — Matt Bersano, Brandon John, Emir Alihodzic Amadou Sanyang, Carlos Patino.
The core of S2 in 2017 seems likely to be younger USL signings and short loans down from the first team rather than talent at the D2 level. Tolo is 19. Mathers is 22. Delem is 23. If they make the first team, their minutes could come with Sounders 2.