To call the defensive midfield position an area of weakness for the Seattle Sounders would be absurd. Osvaldo Alonso and Cristian Roldan are, after all, one of the top pairings in MLS.
But behind them? That’s a different story. As the team leaves for Tucson, Ariz., there’s not a single player on the roster with significant top-flight experience as a defensive midfielder.
That may be about to change. Reports out of Sweden are saying the Sounders have already agreed to sign 29-year-old Gustav Svensson to a two-year deal. The six-time capped Sweden international started all but two games for Guangzhou R&F last year, but is the victim of China’s new, restrictive roster rules.