Seattle Sounders FC 2 have received further reinforcement via Standard USL Loan Agreements for seven First Team contracted players. Tony Alfaro, Oniel Fisher, Nouhou, Jordy Delem, Zach Mathers, Henry Wingo, and goalkeeper Tyler Miller join Brian Meredith and Seyi Adekoya who were entered into the same agreement before last week's match against Sacramento Republic. The loan agreements are unique to MLS/USL and allow the players to compete with both teams throughout the season.
These deals bring a bit more continuity to S2 as Alfaro, Fisher, Miller, Nouhou, Mathers, and Delem all played at least 12 games with S2 last season. Despite first appearances it is now clear that S2 was not the victim of quite as much turnover as it first looked. If all seven of these First Team players played for S2 every week they would be a top team in the Western Conference. It will be interesting to see how Ezra Hendrickson and Brian Schmetzer balance the development of First Team players and the new S2 signees.
The only players who seem certain (barring injuries) to get most of their time with S2 are Nouhou, Adekoya, and the two keepers. This move also seems to indicate that Fisher is still behind Brad Evans on the depth chart. How the rest will play out only time will tell.
These moves precede S2’s first Cascadia 2 clash of the season as they take on T2 at 2 p.m. in Tukwila tomorrow.