Villanova recruit Sam Rogers is getting valuable preseason experience with the defending MLS Cup champs.
The holding midfielder was one of four players from the Sounders Academy to receive invites to the Sounders preseason training camp when it opened in late January. U18 winger Shandon Hopeau U16 striker Azriel Gonzalez and U16 goalkeeper Sam Fowler were the others.
“I think training with the first team is a good challenge and will push me further to get where I want to go,” Rogers told SoundersFC.com. “I think [training with Homegrown players] makes my goals feel more reachable, just seeing guys that were in my position [in the Academy] a few years ago now playing for the first team makes me feel like I can do it too.