As MLS’ Secondary Transfer Window neared its end Wednesday evening, Calum Mallace received a phone call.
“The technical director in Montreal gave me a call and gave the news,” Mallace told media after arriving at Starfire Sports Complex for the first time Friday morning. “I was ecstatic - what a club, what a city. As soon as I found out the news I was smiling from ear-to-ear. I am happy to be here.”
The six-year MLS veteran from Mendota Heights, Minnesota had spent his entire career north of the border with the Impact after being drafted in the second round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.
A box-to-box midfielder with ample MLS experience, Mallace is eager to show what he can contribute to the club.
“I am going to meet [Head Coach Brian Schmetzer] and speak with him,” Mallace said. “I am here to play. No one likes sitting out, but obviously this is a high quality team with lots of good players. I am just going to put in the work and go from there. I see myself as a box-to-box midfielder. It really suits my game the best. They have a lot of quality players in the midfield already, so I’m here to work and show what I can do.”
For Schmetzer, Mallace is a player the club has been watching since his collegiate days, and someone who provides the team with added depth during a crucial time in the MLS season.
“Steady, steady kid,” Schmetzer said. “We have liked him ever since Marquette. At the last minute we were just trying to make sure we had enough bodies here in case something goes awry, that we have enough cover... He’s had some good years in Montreal.”
While the club may be new to Mallace, the teammates around him include some familiar faces. Midfielder Harry Shipp spent the 2016 season in Montreal with Mallace and recently acquired Federal Way native Lamar Neagle played for the Impact in 2012.
“[I] texted Shipp right away when I found out,” Mallace said. “He was really excited and is already trying to help me get settled in and find a place to live.”
The Sounders are riding a seven-match unbeaten streak and looking to continue their climb up the Western Conference standings over the final 11 matches of the season beginning Saturday when Sporting Kansas City comes to town.
"They have built this quality team from the ground up and I am excited to be a part of it,” he said.
