Welcome to the 2024 Ratings Recap. This year was quite a rollercoaster. In preseason, Seattle was labeled as one of the “Best in the West,” so expectations were high for this veteran team with some exciting youth and a big incoming transfer. But early on, the Sounders suffered injuries, drop offs from expected performers young and old, and some bad luck, resulting in the worst 10-match start in their MLS history. With fans questioning everything and demanding better from coaches and players, spring 2024 was a disaster. Then, somehow, those coaches and players rallied in mid-summer, finding much improved form. The combination of hard personnel decisions and tactical switches created a juggernaut that saw Seattle go deep in the US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and the MLS Playoffs. They ultimately came up just short in all three, but again they proved that you can never totally dismiss the Seattle Sounders.
Throughout 2024, each player was rated for every match after a rewatch. This series of articles is a recap of players ranked in reverse order, using data from all games in MLS play, Leagues Cup, Open Cup, and MLS Playoffs, while including a cumulative average of all Sounders appearances this year. As we enter “silly season” with its rumors and trades and signings, please enjoy this recap of the year that was from the perspective of your faithful ratings team.
Also, please feel free to find me in Discord if you want more in-depth data on these players, as I have game-by-game breakdowns, historical data on some players for eight-plus years, and tons of other info if you have specific questions.
Please keep in mind a few things when looking at these recaps:
- Ratings aren’t the only way to judge a player, and these should not be considered “official.” It’s merely how these players came out in my ratings for the season. While higher ranking players are likely better performers, using ratings to say “X player is better than Y” is not the full picture. There are tons of variables that go into ranking different players, so please take them with the requisite grain (or grains) of salt and understand I am attempting to rate against an “MLS average” scale which is continuously evolving.
- Sample size matters. A lot. Two late-game appearances where a player didn’t look completely out of touch may get him a cumulative 6 rating, but another guy who played 20 games and got a 5.9 may be a better player and more valuable to the team. Please consider how much some guys played and realize how sample size can skew both directions. It’s also important to note that subs tend to start lower on the scale, and some players who played well but only as subs may be ranked lower than you might expect, and vice versa.
#31 Osaze De Rosario – 4.00 in 1 appearance
Community Rating – N/A
US Open Cup: 4.00 in 1 appearance
High = 4 Low = 4
Receiving the lowest rating in 2024 is 23-year-old Canadian Osaze De Rosario. His last name may be familiar to MLS aficionados who remember his dad, legendary attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. Osaze played professionally in Ukraine, then after some political strife in the region he returned to Canada before following his coach to Tacoma. An imposing 6’-2” striker, De Rosario plays a vastly different game than his dad, combining size and deceptive pace as a combination holdup and poaching forward. He scored six times in 22 appearances for Defiance.
Highlights: Osaze had one Sounders appearance, in one of the wildest matches of the year, against Louisville City FC in the US Open Cup. He showed some confidence versus lower level talent, and in his MLS Next Pro matches he demonstrated a cultured nose for goal with the ability to score with either foot. While not consistently stretching the field, he held a strong central position and was a clear option in the box.
Lowlights: In the aforementioned Open Cup appearance I wrote: “Maybe brought in to kick penalties, or maybe the game plan was to save De Rosario for the last four minutes of the game and let him cook. Either way he was a net negative, missing his penalty and a chance to be a hero with a weak attempt.” This was an underwhelming performance, in limited minutes, against lower competition. He missed his chance to win the match, so not a great audition for the first team.
Outlook: Osaze is young and has the size and pedigree. His option was activated, bringing him back to Defiance as one of the few members currently on the roster. He has a similar skillset to Danny Musovski with deceptive pace, ability to find the ball in the box, and clean finishing from a variety of angles. His positioning is quality, and if he can elevate the rest of skills from good to great, he could develop into someone the first team uses in a congested 2025.
#29 (tie) Antino Lopez – 4.50 in 2 appearances
Community Rating – 4.21
MLS Regular Season: 5.00 in 1 appearance
US Open Cup: 4.00 in 1 appearance
High = 5 Low = 4
Antino Lopez came through Sounders Academy development, had a pit stop at Duke University, and then was drafted by Seattle. A center back, Antino is a versatile player who often paired with higher profile teammates around him, but did well fulfilling defensive needs in the back while holding control and being a physical presence.
Highlights: With Seattle struggling and facing an also-struggling Sporting Kansas City in June, Lopez got a hardship callup to the first team, only to be part of a demoralizing loss to the Sporks. Antino did well, though, earning this praise: “Young Antino Lopez earned a call-up and his first Sounders minutes against SKC, acquitted himself well on both ends of the field, and got six touches. He didn’t look intimidated by the atmosphere and was comfortable on the field.” Playing solid in MLS minutes is something few did in that match, and Antino showed versatility and the ability to combine seamlessly with new teammates.
Lowlights: Lopez had a late sub appearance in the Louisville Open Cup match and while Seattle didn’t concede when he was on the field, this was due to some fantastic goalkeeping behind him more than anything. He did make his penalty, and he looked akin to other young players on the field, but Antino was more of a glue guy this year than one who stood out personally.
Outlook: Defiance saw enough to bring him back, exercising his option for 2025. Still only 22 years old, there is time to see if he can bring something to the Sounders organization in the central defense. There are younger players in the pipeline at his position who will pressure him to play well or be passed over, and specifically he must show more than just a high floor and playing off those around him.
#29 (tie) Snyder Brunell – 4.50 in 2 appearances
Community Rating – N/A
US Open Cup: 4.50 in 2 appearances
High = 5 Low = 4
Currently under contract for 2025 with Tacoma Defiance, Brunell is only 17 but is already making waves in MLS Next Pro. He had 16 appearances (nine starts) for the Defiance, and his vision combined with a willingness to shoot from distance led to four goals and five assists. This earned him two Open Cup appearances for the MLS Sounders, where the young player fit in well.
Highlights: Brunell made his penalty against Louisville, which is more than can be said for a few others. “Never looking out of place” is a compliment for a young player who was playing “up” and seemed to exude confidence even if the results were mixed.
Lowlights: I said this after his appearance against Phoenix Rising in May: “Is Snyder another glue guy to be forced wide, then back, eventually being traded to Nashville for a draft pick?” That’s a bit facetious, but Seattle tends to grind up young midfielders with similar skill sets. His play was solid for Tacoma, but he hasn’t yet shown a ton of MLS-ready skills. That’s fine, especially at his age, but playing multiple central midfield positions for Tacoma explained some of the indecision about where he fits as a player.
Outlook: Brunell’s sneaky clean touch and connectivity with teammates belies his youthful age. He has excellent vision and an ability to support and move where needed tactically. Snyder played solidly at defensive midfield, offensive midfield and box-to-box roles, and will need to more clearly demonstrate what specifically he brings to the team to continue to progress. Young players can be fickle, and their development can come in spurts, but it’s a great sign that Snyder was up for whatever was thrown at him in 2024.
#28 Sota Kitahara – 4.67 in 3 appearances
Community Rating – 4.39
MLS Regular Season: 5.00 in 2 appearances
US Open Cup: 4.00 in 1 appearance
High = 5 Low = 4
Speaking of midfielders who couldn’t find a role, at #28 is Sota Kitahara; his contract option has already been declined. A relentless practice warrior, the lack of exceptional MLS skills doomed Kitahara to bit roles and he underwhelmed in his three appearances (which was an improvement from one in 2023).
Highlights: Earning two MLS starts were surprising, and Sota was below average in both. He played defensive midfielder in a March loss to San Jose and was an inspired choice at right back in a heavily rotated loss to RSL in May. The SJ commentary included this description: “Even if it wasn’t always successful, moments like a 23rd minute attempt to pass the ball forward are a nice change from what other defensive midfielders offer. Sota was solid fundamentally, generally keeping strong shape with his teammates and moving the ball quickly and safely.” There was something different in the way he played from others in that role, which was refreshing and helped support a lagging attack.
Lowlights: Kitahara bounced back and forth between Seattle and Tacoma, looking for the spark that would propel him to first team success. He earned opportunities with a hard work ethic, but they didn’t show much, instead he was unable to battle in a physical MLS environment and his upside never materialized, even in 18 Defiance appearances. An Open Cup comment sums it up: “Kitahara … barely touched the ball, had little impact, and got pipped by the goalie to take the game-winning PK.”
Outlook: He’s still only 21, but Seattle determined that Sota wasn’t going to develop into a player that fits their needs. With as much young talent as they have at the positions that Kitahara plays, this is understandable, even though he was an asset at practice who forced a first team contract with effort last year. Not showing the upside Seattle was looking for, Sota has been cut this offseason.
#27 Cody Baker – 4.80 in 15 appearances
Community Rating – 5.49
MLS Regular Season: 4.92 in 13 appearances
US Open Cup: 4.00 in 2 appearances
High = 6 Low = 4
Cody had a lot of appearances early in the season, before falling out of favor and disappointing fans who were very high on him coming into 2024. With 13 MLS appearances, Baker unfortunately only showed MLS average performance twice, and he underwhelmed in multiple substitute opportunities to show the form he displayed in 2023. A wrist surgery robbed him of the second half of the season, and he disappeared from Seattle’s plans after summer.
Highlights: During a rough early season, Seattle absolutely trounced Montreal in April. When Nouhou was injured in the 11th minute, Baker was forced into the match and responded with a quality outing. He had a massive 96 touches, and showed supremely clean passing, over 90 percent completion rate. It’s incredibly hard to join a game that early, but Cody responded tremendously, showing better attacking prowess than the player he replaced and earning half of the red card that blew the game open.
Lowlights: Cody’s last appearance of a rough year came in a loss to SKC in June. Forced into the game after one of Seattle’s silly red cards, he earned this distinction from ratings: “Defenders need to defend, and while Frei was awful in conceding the game-winner for SKC, it was Baker who was completely fleeced down the wing that allowed the shot to happen in the first place, and that wasn’t the only time he struggled on the defensive side of the ball.” That was the crux for Baker before his injury: his forward play and positioning were solid, but he was beaten enough on the defensive end to question whether he can adequately play outside back in the Sounders’ system.
Outlook: Only 20 years old, Baker will want to put his injury-riddled and disappointing 2024 season behind him. He must show that his physical skills and dynamic attacking from wide defense, as well as his flexibility to play multiple positions, are assets the Sounders need. Any tactical switch would likely help Baker improve his value, as his defense currently lags behind his forward instincts.
