After exercising the options on 11 players and losing Tyler Miller to LAFC in the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft, the Sounders currently boast a roster of 21 players. According to Sounders GM & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey, this “sustainable core” will carry over into the 2018 campaign, which begins in February with CONCACAF Champions League and could once again go all the way until December.
At his end-of-year media availability, Lagerwey didn’t specify which positions he’s looking to improve, but one thing is for certain – Stefan Frei will need a backup or two.
Currently, Frei is the only goalkeeper on the roster. In addition to Miller getting snatched by LAFC, Bryan Meredith is out of contract. As Lagerwey noted on Tuesday, players who are out of contract may still sign again with the team; he is cautiously optimistic Meredith could return.
If the club ends up going a different direction or elects to bring in another goalkeeper, well, the door is wide open.
“There is an absolute onslaught of goalkeepers on the market right now,” Lagerwey said. “I think there were 20-something unprotected [goalkeepers] for the [2017 MLS Expansion Draft]. I think we have a lot of choices.”
While there appears to be plenty of experienced goalkeepers available, the club may choose to go young. Sounders Academy products have performed well in the collegiate ranks, including Saif Kerawala (Washington), Paul Christensen (Portland) and Trey Muse (Indiana). Muse comes off an impressive freshman campaign with the Hoosiers, leading the nation in clean sheets and reaching the College Cup final.
“Trey has had an awesome season. We’ll talk about what’s best for Trey, what’s best for their program and where he fits,” Lagerwey said. “We will look at what is best for Trey’s long-term development and what is best for our club.”
Regardless of how the goalkeeping depth is filled out, there is a trusted confidence in the group due to Club Director of Goalkeeping Tom Dutra, who has been a member of the technical staff since 2009.
“Tom Dutra – he’s the best goalkeeping coach in the league for me; he’s been phenomenal,” Lagerwey said. “Tommy has been tremendous, he has been with us forever.
“I honestly feel like as long as we give him some talented kids to work with, he’ll make the best out of them and we’ll be OK at that spot for years to come.”
