Garth Lagerwey loves a bargain. From pouncing on accomplished MLS players who may be undervalued after down years (Will Bruin, Harry Shipp, Waylon Francis) to mining the Chinese Super League for borderline international talent needing a new league (Gustav Svensson, Kim Kee-Hee), the Sounders General Manager uses every opportunity to stretch the team’s dollars.
Lagerwey’s creativity with non-DP signings has helped the Sounders make deep playoff runs in each of the last two years, as depth players contributed vital minutes during the team’s postseasons runs. In theory, the his ability to find quality depth should also give the Sounders more leverage in the transfer market.