Sounders scouting players with MLS potential

One of the perks of Brian Schmetzer's job as coach of the Seattle Sounders is watching soccer in January.

Outdoors. In 85-degree weather in South Florida.

Schmetzer and Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer have made the trip to the Major League Soccer predraft combine since 2003. This year, Hanauer had another commitment, but their mission has been to find the best college talent in the country and talk to players about a chance to play for the Sounders if their MLS dreams don't pan out right away.

"If a guy gets cut during the preseason, we're trying to get the last guys released from MLS rosters," Schmetzer said.

The USL First Division Sounders also offer playing-time opportunities for developmental players from MLS teams. Young players can be loaned to the Sounders for real-game experience instead of playing in obscure MLS reserve games, which are more like scrimmages.

But this year's combine trip, which ended Monday for Schmetzer, was a bit different. Schmetzer scouted and interviewed prospective players as always, but he had a bargaining chip with MLS hopefuls — the chance, after this season with the Sounders, to stick around and play for the MLS franchise that begins play in Seattle in 2009.

Thanks to a negotiated clause in its ownership agreement, MLS Seattle — of which Hanauer is a part-owner — has the right of first negotiation with any player who didn't get selected in Friday's MLS SuperDraft and joins the Sounders this year. That means the club can get the first shot at keeping that player if it wants him for the new franchise.

"We're a hot USL franchise right now," Schmetzer said, "There was quite a bit of a buzz going on about that at the combine."

For good reason. A talented prospect who joins the Sounders has the opportunity to stay in Seattle and make the leap to the MLS. The same goes for any player on the team this season.

Schmetzer said he thinks there are six to eight current Sounders who could be on the MLS team. He also scouted two former Washington players at the combine he said have MLS potential — forwards Ely Allen, drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Galaxy on Friday, and Kevin Forrest.

"I have a soft spot for the Washington kids," Schmetzer said.

"Everything we do, we certainly have one eye on MLS in 2009," Hanauer said, adding that MLS Seattle can keep as many Sounders as it wants, as long as those players' rights aren't controlled by another MLS team. The team roster limit is 28 — 18 active players and up to 10 for a developmental squad.

Eight international players and one designated player whose salary can be beyond the MLS team salary-cap limit — David Beckham was that for the Galaxy last season — are part of the 28.

Schmetzer, in essence, was scouting talent not just for the Sounders but for the MLS club, even though he hasn't been named coach. Hanauer said the process of finding a coach hasn't begun, but he's grateful to Schmetzer for his help and said Schmetzer will be given full consideration as a candidate.

"I think Brian definitely has value to add to an MLS franchise," Hanauer said.

MLS Seattle is one of two teams expected to join MLS in 2009. The other could be in any of several other cities rumored, including Philadelphia and St. Louis. One team will be awarded the rights to the first overall draft pick in next year's SuperDraft.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com