Revolution’s Okoli pushed for trade from Sounders

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Tuesday, February 24, 2015 6:49pm
  • SportsSports

TUCSON, ARIZ. — The bond between the Seattle Sounders and homegrown player Sean Okoli of Federal Way was severed because Okoli wanted out.

Last month, when Okoli was sent to the New England Revolution in a draft-day trade, it seemed the Sounders had simply calculated the advantage of dealing from their deep forward ranks to help replenish their thinner goalkeeping corps.

However, Okoli clarified Tuesday that he pushed for the deal after deciding that he and his hometown team were no longer the right fit.

“I did everything I could to get a trade,” he said. “So I’m just glad it worked out. … I just felt like it wasn’t the right spot for me at my time in my career. So I would rather move somewhere else. Maybe things can be different. I felt like New England is a great opportunity for me. I have to get more games in just to grow as a player.”

Okoli, 22, had signed a homegrown contract with Seattle on Jan. 8, 2013, after attending Todd Beamer High School, the Sounders FC Academy and Wake Forest University. During his rookie season, he was called twice to the United States youth national team camp and played in the MLS Homegrown Game as part of the All-Star festivities in Portland.

However, with veteran forwards such as Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins, Kenny Cooper and Chad Barrett on the roster, he appeared in only three MLS games, all off the bench.

“I was frustrated,” Okoli said. “I had to keep working, but at the end of the season when options came, I did everything I could to explore them, and I’m glad everything worked out.”

On Jan. 16, the Sounders traded him to New England for the 33rd selection in the SuperDraft, which was used to acquire Northwestern goalkeeper Tyler Miller. Miller has since elected to play in Germany, although the Sounders retain his MLS rights.

“We offered (Okoli) basically the same contract as New England ended up offering him,” Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. “He didn’t want to sign that contract with us, so we said, ‘Hey, if there’s a team that wants you, we’ll move you and give you the opportunity to play.’ We don’t want to hold anybody hostage who doesn’t want to be there.”

Although Okoli is a long way from home, the trade reunites him with a longtime friend from Federal Way: fourth-year midfielder Kelyn Rowe.

“Sean grew up just up the street from me, before he moved to a different part of Federal Way,” Rowe said. “We’ve known each other for a very long time. He’s doing really well in camp.”

Okoli will face his former team for the first time at 5 p.m. Wednesday when the Sounders and Revolution meet in the third leg of the Desert Diamond Cup.

The teams will meet again March 8 at CenturyLink Field in the opening game of their MLS seasons, but Schmid said there is no advantage nor disadvantage to that.

“Everything changes by the time we play our first game,” he said. “Everybody right now in preseason is mixing a little bit and matching, and different groups end of playing.”

The Desert Diamond Cup concludes Saturday, with times and opponents to be determined by results. Seattle is 1-1 in the tournament and New England is 0-1-1, but Schmid clarified that the final pairings will not be fully determined by seeding.

“One of the stipulations are that they can create matchups in the last set of games so you’re not playing a team again, so you’re playing somebody different,” he said. “I think that’s what every wants that’s down here: You don’t want to end up playing two of the four games against the same team.”

Added time

All-Star midfielder Osvaldo Alonso rejoined his team in Tucson this week. He had remained in Seattle while recovering from a groin injury, however his rehabilitation has reached a stage where he can take part in some outdoor drills with his teammates. Schmid said Alonso’s recovery is ahead of schedule, but he is not expected to be available for the start of the season. … The Sounders will unveil new primary and alternate jerseys March 5.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.