When the Seattle Sounders signed Albert Rusnák on a free-agent contract this past offseason, they made it pretty clear that they were effectively sacrificing roster flexibility in order to put their best foot forward for Concacaf Champions League play. It obviously paid off by becoming the first MLS team to win the current iteration of the continental title.
The downside, to the degree there is one, is that this summer’s transfer window might be a little less exciting than usual. Over the past few months, Sounders GM and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey has repeatedly downplayed the likelihood that the team would be making an impact signing.