The Seattle Sounders didn't wind up having a first-round pick when the MLS Draft concluded on Thursday, but the club's wheeling and dealing left the team as one of the draft's winners when all was said and done in Baltimore.
The Sounders traded out of the first round and secured some allocation money in the process, while using the four second-round picks it had to stockpile an impressive collection of prospects. Landing Generation adidas left back Michael Tetteh, who could form a dangerous left-wing partnership with Steve Zakuani, was a major score for Sigi Schmid's side, while Juan Leone Cruz could give the Sounders some depth in central defense.
SBI caught up with Tetteh after he was selected by the Sounders. You can watch our interview with Tetteh after the jump (and be sure to share your thoughts on Seattle's draft in the comments section below):
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/18776833 w=440&h=292]
Michael Tetteh Draft from Soccer By Ives on Vimeo.
Perfect draft for SSFC…Looks like they are flying under the radar. They should be much improved in 2011.
Great comments – nice to see someone slice and dice a quick view of what SSFC was thinking. Cool.
How do you know that?
Except the immigration lawyer is an MLS lawyer, not hired by the Sounders…
That is what I was thinking.
Perhaps a new starting GK for next year?
Grabbing Tetteh was a major success for the Sounders.
Leo Gonzalez is a functional left back but is very limited in speed and helping the attack. Leo is also pretty darn old. If Tetteh works hard and is consistent I see him getting minutes sooner rather than later. If he and Zakuani develop a partnership he may take the starting job by the summer transfer window.
If you notice, the trade happened right after Macmath was picked up. Coincedence?
I’m real excited to see Tetteh get on the field
I wonder if we’e already got a plan for the allocation.
International spot was the issue with Michael. Seattle has invested some of their revenues in a good immigration lawyer. For those that paid attention. Hurtado, Montero, Nkufo, Zakuani and others were being helped to get green cards. Smart move from the club. Can’t spend money on salary, spend it other ways to help club. It was like moving up the draft with international spots. Tetteh will mostlikely get help and a green card in quick fashion too. Played college and has good knowledge of the country. I would say he will be getting a green card quickly too. They also traded away an international spot. Good business in a tightly ruled league.
Right on! Welcome Michael, GO Sounders!
The Sounders problem was they were up against the Cap and wanted allocation money more than they wanted the 11th pick.
If they kept the 11th pick, they likely would have drafted Tetteh anyway.
Great Draft for the sounders. Although I do think that they should have kept their First round pick.
Blaise Fuko? Who is that? haha.
I love all these columns! awesome!
+3
LOVE it. Wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a starter.
+2
Sooooooo much happier with this draft rather than last years. If we stay healthy we do some serious damage! Sounders til I die!!!
As a Sounder fan I’m very pleased with our draft. I feel we’re a very strong and deep team right now. Although I would like a little more quality depth up top.
+1
Tetteh sounds like a class act. I’m very excited about him.
I’ve heard trading picks will get you 40k and above. Not sure where i heard that though?
Does anyone know how much allocation money they got when trading down from 11th to 20th?