SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has signed defender Cody Baker to a First Team contract. Baker, a Sounders FC Academy product, signed with Tacoma Defiance in 2021 and has appeared in four First Team matches this season across all competitions via short-term agreements. The defender signs a four-year deal with club options in 2027 and 2028.
“It’s always great to see young players make the most of their opportunities, and Cody has shown us that he can compete at the MLS level,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “This signing is the byproduct of many years of growth in our system, and we could not be happier for Cody to officially join the First Team.”
Baker, 19, joined the Sounders Discovery Program in 2015 before moving to the Academy. He signed with Tacoma Defiance in July of 2021, making 40 appearances (25 starts) with the club from 2021-2023, scoring one goal. The Issaquah, Washington native most recently appeared in four matches for the First Team over the past month via short-term agreements, including both of Seattle’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches and two regular-season fixtures against Sporting Kansas City (May 7) and Houston Dynamo FC (May 13).
“Cody has performed well in his opportunities over the past month and we are happy to officially welcome him to the First Team,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Schmetzer. “We look forward to continuing his development as he enters the next stage of his career.”
Baker becomes the 22nd Homegrown Player in team history. His addition marks the 10th Homegrown Player signing on Sounders FC's current roster, joining Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting, Jacob Castro, Ethan Dobbelaere, Sota Kitahara, Danny Leyva, Jordan Morris, Dylan Teves and Obed Vargas.
Following a 1-0 road win over Houston on Saturday, Seattle Sounders FC (7-3-2, 23 points) returns home to face Austin FC on Wednesday, May 17 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, Sirius XM FC, El Rey 1360 AM). The club then hits the road to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, May 20 at BC Place (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia, El Rey 1360 AM).
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC signs defender Cody Baker to a four-year contract with club options for 2027 and 2028 on May 16, 2023.
Full Name: Cody Baker
Position: Defender
Number: 33
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Hometown: Issaquah, Washington
Date of Birth: January 7, 2004 in Issaquah, Washington
Nationality: United States
Transaction: Signed to First Team contract on May 16, 2023
Previous Clubs: Tacoma Defiance (2021-2023)
