The Seattle Sounders made a significant move at the MLS SuperDraft by trading for Joevin Jones, but how exactly will his addition impact the team?
The Seattle Sounders understand the MLS SuperDraft is somewhat of a crapshoot. Compared to the likes of the NFL and NBA, the chances of a selection panning out are often lower.
As such, the Sounders should be commended for Thursday’s trade, when they acquired Joevin Jones from the Chicago Fire. In fact, you could almost accuse Seattle of daylight robbery, as all they had to give up in return was the 15th overall pick and allocation money.
Jones immediately strengthens the defense at the left back position. As coach Sigi Schmid told Matt Pentz of The Seattle Times: “(He) checked all the boxes in terms of things we’re looking for.”
The Trinidad and Tobago international’s addition is a tremendous coup for the Sounders. Chicago fielded multiple offers during Thursday’s draft.
While Jones is undoubtedly an upgrade for the Sounders, how much depends on who you speak to. For example, former Fire coach Frank Yallop believes Jones is close to being the best left back in MLS.
However, some pundits believe the 24-year old does not cross the ball enough, something which is often expected of fullbacks. In addition, he sometimes has positional issues, although he can normally overcome this, due to his excellent speed.
Ultimately, the Sounders are thrilled by what Jones brings to the Pacific Northwest. As General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey told soundersfc.com: “We are excited to add a player of Joevin’s caliber to our roster.
“Making our roster younger and faster has been a priority for the club this offseason. Acquiring a player like Joevin fits that bill.”
One last aspect to consider is the Carenage, Trinidad and Tobago native’s versatility. If needed, he is more than capable of playing as a winger, something which he has done both at the MLS and international level.