Originally published March 18, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 18, 2009 at 1:39 PM
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Meet the Sounders
Bios of Sounders FC players, who open the MLS season Thursday at Qwest Field, against the New York Red Bulls.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Nate Jaqua 21
- Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 205 Age: 27
- Hometown: Eugene, Ore.
- Last club: Houston (MLS)
- Comment: Opens the season as projected starter. Creates matchup problems with his size.
Fredy Montero 17
- Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 160 Age: 21
- Hometown: Campo de la Cruz, Colombia
- Last club: Deportivo Cali (Colombia)
- Comment: The team's clear difference-maker on offense.
Roger Levesque 24
- Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 174 Age: 28
- Hometown: Portland, Maine
- Last club: Seattle Sounders (USL)
- Comment: Earned himself a roster spot with solid play in exhibition season.
Steve Zakuani 11
- Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 160 Age: 21
- Hometown: London
- Last club: Akron (NCAA)
- Comment: Hampered by ankle injury late in training, but is a major threat with his speed.
Kevin Forrest 37
- Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 170 Age: 24
- Hometown: Edmonds
- Last club: Colorado (MLS)
- Comment: Local product with MLS experience is a final-roster candidate.
Jarrod Smith 13
- Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 180 Age: 24
- Hometown: Havelock, New Zealand
- Last club: Toronto FC (MLS)
- Comment: Starts the season on injured reserve and will miss at least the first six games.
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Freddie Ljungberg 10
- Ht.: 5-9 Wt.: 162 Age: 31
- Hometown: Vittsjo, Sweden.
- Last club: West Ham (England)
- Comment: Big-name designated player recovered from hip surgery and is ready to contribute, not yet start.
Osvaldo Alonso 6
- Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 165 Age: 23
- Hometown: San Cristobal, Cuba
- Last club: Charleston (USL)
- Comment: Solid contributor who likely starts for Ljungberg to open the season.
Brad Evans 3
- Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 160 Age: 23
- Hometown: Phoenix
- Last club: Columbus (MLS)
- Comment: A "coach on the field" type with championship experience.
Stephen King 15
- Ht.: 5-8 Wt.: 153 Age: 23
- Hometown: Medford, N.J.
- Last club: Chicago (MLS)
- Comment: Will be used off the bench.
Sebastien Le Toux 9
- Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 165 Age: 25
- Hometown: Rennes, France
- Last club: Seattle Sounders (USL)
- Comment: Potential starter who could be used on the outside as an attacking player.
Sanna Nyassi 23
- Ht.: 5-8 Wt.: 145 Age: 20
- Hometown: Bwiam, Gambia
- Last club: Ports Authority (Gambia)
- Comment: Speed on the wings is main attribute.
Peter Vagenas 8
- Ht.: 5-8 Wt.: 157 Age: 31
- Hometown: Pasadena, Calif.
- Last club: Los Angeles (MLS)
- Comment: Missed most of training after knee surgery but provides veteran leadership.
Ely Allen 30
- Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 165 Age: 22
- Hometown: Kent
- Last club: Los Angeles (MLS)
- Comment: A late arrival who hasn't had much chance to show where he fits.
Evan Brown 16
- Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 165 Age: 21
- Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
- Last club: Wake Forest (NCAA)
- Comment: Will be counted on for depth at outside defender.
Taylor Graham 26
- Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 190 Age: 28
- Hometown: Fair Oaks, Calif.
- Last club: Seattle Sounders (USL)
- Comment: Broken foot bone has him sidelined for now.
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado 19
- Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 183 Age: 24
- Hometown: Palmira, Colombia
- Last club: Deportivo Cali (Colombia)
- Comment: Physical central defender with good speed; a good tackler.
Patrick Ianni 4
- Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 175 Age: 23
- Hometown: Lodi, Calif.
- Last club: Houston (MLS)
- Comment: Acquired in a trade to provide depth at all defender positions.
Tyrone Marshall 14
- Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 195 Age: 34
- Hometown: Lauderhill. Fla.
- Last club: Toronto FC (MLS)
- Comment: Will be a physical and aggressive presence along back line.
James Riley 7
- Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 150 Age: 26
- Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Last club: San Jose (MLS)
- Comment: Starter on the outside who can push forward and help on offense.
Nathan Sturgis 12
- Ht.: 5-10 Wt.: 150 Age: 21
- Hometown: St. Augustine, Fla.
- Last club: Real Salt Lake (MLS)
- Comment: Versatile, can be used at midfielder, too, but has been injury prone.
Zach Scott 20
- Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 175 Age: 28
- Hometown: Haiku, Hawaii.
- Last club: Seattle Sounders (USL)
- Comment: Nonroster invitee who earned a spot on team.
Tyson Wahl 5
- Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 185 Age: 25
- Hometown: Newport Beach, Calif.
- Last club: Kansas City (MLS)
- Comment: Expansion draftee bolsters defensive depth.
Kasey Keller 18
- Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 190 Age: 39
- Hometown: Olympia
- Last club: Fulham (England)
- Comment: Vocal team leader and local hero who might need to be superb if defense falters.
Chris Eylander 1
- Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 185 Age: 25
- Hometown: Auburn
- Last club: Seattle Sounders (USL)
- Comment: Knee injury has him sidelined, but will continue development behind Keller upon return.
Ben Dragavon 22
- Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 195 Age: 25
- Hometown: Monroe
- Last club: Seattle Sounders (USL)
- Comment: With Eylander starting season injured, Dragavon is current No. 2 keeper.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
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