Arguably the deepest area of the squad, the Sounders midfield should both produce and score its share of goals this season.
Returning players: RM Mauro Rosales (2012: 27 GP, 25 GS, 2031 min, 3 G, 13 A; Career: 53 GP, 47 GS, 3901 min, 8 G, 26 A); RM/LM Mario Martinez (2012: 3 GP, 0 GS, 40 min); CM Osvaldo Alonso (2012: 30 GP, 30 GS, 2688 min, 1 G, 2 A; Career: 113 GP, 109 GS, 9660 min, 6 G, 11 A); CM/RM/LM Brad Evans (2012: 29 GP, 29 GS, 2371 min, 4 G, 4 A; Career: 118 GP, 101 GS, 9003 min, 18 G, 16 A); CM Andy Rose (2012: 23 GP, 11 GS, 1156 min, 1 G, 1 A); CM Servando Carrasco (2012: 9 GP, 2 GS, 235 min; Career: 21 GP, 9 GS, 924 min); ; CM Christian Tiffert (2012: 12 GP, 11 GS, 978 min, 0 G, 3 A); LM Steve Zakuani (2012: 8 GP, 4 GS, 320 min, 1 G, 1 A; Career: 72 GP, 61 GS, 5051 min, 17 G, 13 A); LM/RM Alex Caskey (2012: 20 GP, 12 GS, 1093 min, 1 G, 4 A).
Additions: RM/LM Lamar Neagle (2012 w/ Montreal: 23 GP, 11 GS, 1086 min, 2 G, 2 A; Career: 46 GP, 20 GS, 2094 min, 7 G, 4 A); CM Shalrie Joseph (2012 w/ Chivas and New England: 30 GP, 27 GS, 2561 min, 3 G, 4 A; Career: 273 GP, 266 GS, 23946 min, 39 G, 35 A).
Losses: RM Michael Seamon (2012: 1 GP, 0 GS, 50 min; Career: 9 GP, 3 GS, 364 min, 0 G, 1 A); RM Cordell Cato (2012: 8 GP, 0 GS, 117 min, 0 G, 1 A).
Spotlight: Rosales was Seattle’s captain last year and has served as an emotional catalyst for the club. There is a clear difference when he is on the field and the club’s record supports that. In two years, the Sounders are 18-1-6 when Rosales has a goal or an assist in the match. When he starts, the Sounders are 25-7-15. When he doesn’t, they are 8-8-5. In that time, he set the club record with 13 assists in 2011, then matched that mark in 2012.
Overview: The Sounders have plenty of depth in the midfield. Martinez has been a revelation since joining the club last year and has continued his hot streak in 2013 with the Honduras National Team. Alonso was MLS Best XI last year and after training with West Ham in the offseason is looking to take another step this year. Zakuani is fitter than he’s ever been and looks poised to return to the form of 2010 that saw him finish the year with 10 goals and six assists.
Evans had his best year in 2012 and has shown the versatility in Sounders and US National Team camp to play right back as well. With the addition of Joseph and the continued growth of Rose, the middle of midfield has never been stronger. This is possibly the best midfield in MLS and if they can stay healthy can really be the engine that drives the Sounders to their goals.
Other Positions: Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards
