Sounders best chance for forward help may be in Sacramento

With limited roster options Seattle could look to forward Cameron Iwasa and his five goals in USL action.

As the Seattle Sounders injury report continues to grow there is much concern for how they can score goals. The defense is more than sound, whether in a 4-2-3-1 or a 5-4-1. That 1 is a problem. The current options are Clint Dempsey, Lamar Neagle and maybe Henry Wingo. President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey continues to say that the club is targeting a Designated Player and another player using Targeted Allocation Money. That would use both open senior roster spots.

That leaves one* reserve spot open to find help right now. A reserve slot can only go to a player under the age of 25 in the 2018 season. Due to the transfer window being closed the signing could only be someone who was available on a free as of May 1, another Homegrown Player, or a signing from within the American soccer system already (USL).
*it could be two reserve spots if Jordan Morris is placed on the season ending disabled list.

Cameron Iwasa meets those conditions. The Sacremento Republic forward is just 24, doesn’t require an international slot (as S2 forward Felix Chenkam does), has five goals in the season, and was once on an MLS contract with Sporting Kansas City.

“Cam is unselfish and he’s a powerful player with a low center of gravity, so he’s hard to knock off the ball. He also recognizes where the defensive pressure is coming from and can adjust to it quickly,” [Sacramento Republic head coach Simon] Elliott said. “He sure is motivated. I know that. I can’t speak to his Republic FC or MLS experience, but I do know he’s hungry. He had a taste. It’s not the setbacks, but how you deal with them. You continue to work and improve, and he’s doing that.”

In 2016 he was second team all-USL. This season he has five goals (tied 3rd in USL) and three assists (tied 7th) with 19 key passes (tied 12th). All of his goals are from within the penalty area.

No, he would not be a perfect answer. With the current roster circumstances the Seattle Sounders will not find a perfect answer. They merely need to find someone who can compete with Dempsey/Neagle/Wingo and possibly score a goal or two.

Iwasa can stretch the field a bit. He offers a tiny bit of hold-up play, mostly due to a low frame. He may be able to score at the MLS level. His cost would be tiny.

It’s possible he can help the Sounders bide time while waiting for Will Bruin to heal and the international signings to come.