By IVES GALARCEP
The Seattle Sounders took a look at Shalrie Joseph up close recently and Sigi Schmid suggested that it seemed unlikely the Sounders would go after the long-time standout midfielder.
Apparently things have changed.
Chivas USA have traded Joseph to the Sounders for a second-round pick in the 2014 MLS Draft, sources confirmed to SBI on Tuesday.
(UPDATE– The deal is now official. The full trade has Chivas USA sending second-round picks in the 2014 and 2015 MLS drafts to Seattle along with Joseph and the No. 3 spot in the MLS Allocation order. Yes, the Goats gave the Sounders two picks, their high allocation order spot AND are paying a portion of Joseph’s salary.)
Joseph was destined to leave Chivas USA after new manager Jose Luis Sanchez Sola stated publicly that the former New England standout was not part of the team’s future plans. Chivas USA let Joseph join Seattle for a one-day trial so the Sounders could see him up close. Despite Schmid commenting about Joseph not being fit, the clubs ultimately wound up completing a deal.
The most surprising aspect of the deal is the fact that Seattle will keep Joseph as a Designated Player in 2013, with general manager Adrian Hanauer saying it was the only way to make the deal work.
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