Kim Kee-hee doesn’t consider himself flashy.
But the Sounders center back’s grit sure is dazzling. Kim’s powerful slide to deflect a potential goal in stoppage time last Saturday against Vancouver is a key reason Seattle (3-0-1) remains in the midst of its best start since its 2009 inaugural MLS season.
At the time, Kim’s hustle drew celebratory screams from goalkeeper Stefan Frei. But days later, praise keeps rolling in, despite a language barrier. Kim is a South Korea native in his second season with the Sounders, often needing a translator to communicate in English.
“(Kim) put his body on the line,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said.