Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories looking at the individual performances of Defiance players who are under contract in 2025. You can find all the stories here.
At just 18 years old, Stuart Hawkins has already completed two full seasons with the Tacoma Defiance. Although technically a Seattle Sounders player, he spent virtually all of the season on loan to the Defiance. The Fox Island native also has logged nearly 30 appearances with various United States youth national teams and has a decent chance of making the United States U20 World Cup team next year. The future looks bright.
Born: Sept. 18, 2006 (18)
2024 stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2,117 minutes
Total professional minutes: 4,763
Year in review: After logging more than 2,200 minutes as a 17-year-old in 2023, the Sounders mainly wanted to see Hawkins bulk up in 2024. He apparently added about 30 pounds. It showed. Hawkins was a much more physical presence this year and also had the 12th highest passing score of any player in MLS Next Pro according to American Soccer Analysis. He made his first-team debut, logging 210 minutes over two U.S. Open Cup matches in which he was matched up against much more experienced USL Championship players. He also helped the USA qualify for the U20 World Cup, making four appearances in their run to the Concacaf U20 Championship final.
If it all works out: The sky really is the limit with Hawkins. He’s got both the size — he’s 6-foot-2 and still growing — and skill to be a high-level centerback. Matai Akinmboni, a D.C. United centerback who is one month younger and less experienced at the international level, is apparently on his way to Bournemouth on a transfer deal that’s rumored to be $2.5 million. Considering Hawkins’ profile, that’s probably a good valuation. The trick will be finding a good place for Hawkins to continue his growth next year.
The Sounders have suggested he’ll be given a chance to compete for first-team minutes, but if those don’t come to fruition it doesn’t make any sense to stash Hawkins on Defiance for long. Sounders GM Craig Waibel has floated the idea of loaning him somewhere in Scandinavia where he’ll go up against grown men and be forced to deal with a new environment. Either way, he’s definitely a player worth keeping an eye on.
