Ship's Log, Feb. 2: The 7th son

If you haven't checked out the Sounder at Heart Depth Chart lately (or if you aren't a paid member) you may have missed some shuffling. With the Sounders starting to play preseason games we can start to assess usage patterns.

What's very evident based on the signings and spend is that the front four has six that are expected to be the primaries in those attacking roles. New signing Danny Musovski could be the seventh, but subs 2-5 are less structured and frequently require role flexibility.

That's what will make the next preseason matches interesting. There's strong competition between now-a-10?! Paul Rothrock, winger (former multitool) Dylan Teves, all-around attacker Braudilio Rodrigues and the Moose (he has some light winger experience too).

Each offers Brian Schmetzer and the Seattle Sounders a little bit different. Each is also an example of the differing paths to professionalism available in the US, though all spent time in college.

Last season's 7th son was Héber with two goals and an assist in MLS play. The 8th most used attacker was Montero (1&1) and the 9th was Rothrock (1). In 2022 Chú/Medranda/Teves combined for 4 G+A. Both seasons had poor offenses and the deep attacking bench wasn't helping.

Stronger seasons have had 7-8 goal contributions from that deep bench.

That deep bench being threatening is what can help Schmetzer & Co. rest their other talent in big games. It also provides attacking punch for early U.S. Open Cup rounds, and Leagues Cup.

These 7th sons are also just fun to watch. This is the place where legends get built – Fucito, Neagle, Chú were all once the infrequent late sub who rose to glory.

A large part of why 2024 will be more fun than years past is because this group features players capable of breaking out – forcing fans and SaH writers to get their meme-chops going again.

My favorite for the 7th son? Paul Rothrock, because you can't stop the rothrock. But it's hard to bet against a Moose, or the org's leading pro scorer last year, or the smile of Teves.

No matter what, we should be confident that the 7th attacker situation is stronger than it has been in years.

– Dave

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Looking back at the week's news

Everything else you need to know.

Club spending on international transfer fees reaches all-time record in 2023. Almost 24,000 professional soccer players crossed borders as part of the transfer system. One route for young Americans has been to sign with USL teams like Orange County and then move to Europe.

Sunday the Men's World Cup 2026 schedule will be announced on FOX and Telemundo at noon PST. The triple-host coaches gave their input on their preferred playing sites.

The Great American Soccer League Broadcast "Battle". On one side you have an almost completely bundled product you can watch anywhere at basically the same time. On the other side you have a multi-channel, multi-day, often-free system. And what will get the highest ratings? Matches in England and Mexico.

Africa Cup of Nations tightens media access following player abuse, "near-naked dance" in press box.

Soccer star Sarina Bolden enjoys the ‘power’ of playing with gender. Bolden has appeared in Vogue Philippines and now with The Inner Sanctum says they go with the flow when it comes to gender.

Leagues Cup rule changes to reduce travel for top Liga MX teams. The top four Liga MX sides won't have to travel as much, but they still won't play any home games.

No Italian clubs want Federico Bernardeschi so Toronto is stuck with him.

Where MLS Western Conference depth charts & rosters stand for 2024. A whole lot of questions marks for most other teams. Doyle likes what the Sounders have with one of the biggest gaps being young left back (I expect that's because he doesn't think RBW is long for Seattle).

Local “philanthropreneur” helps raise millions to help RAVE Foundation build more soccer fields for kids. Thach Nguyen expects to donate a million dollars towards the 26 for 26 plan this year.

From ACL injury to Reign draft pick, former Husky Makena Carr has had ‘one heck of a journey’. Learn more about a future Reign.

Sophia Huerta sets The Standard.

Asisat Oshoala joins Bay FC from FC Barcelona. Bay FC found their goalscorer.

NWSL matches are going to be hot in 2024, which will be true for MLS, the Club World Cup, the Copa America and pretty much all soccer for the future.

AB Cissoko has signed with the USL Championship outfit Memphis 901.

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