For new signing Jordan McCrary, choosing the Seattle Sounders was a simple one.
“Why this club? Why not?” he quipped on Tuesday after inking a First Team contract. “From the fans, the whole organization is incredible. It’s amazing, I just can’t wait to be a part of it now.”
A right fullback, McCrary, 24, had been training with the Sounders all preseason as a trialist and finally earned a spot on the roster for which he had sought so hard.
Last November, McCrary and his agent contacted the Sounders with the hopes of earning a deal. He had just finished playing with Toronto FC II in the USL, but was eager to return to the MLS ranks after being selected by the New England Revolution with the 10
th
pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft out of North Carolina.
“He was really humble and really persistent,” Sounders General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said of McCrary. “They really kept on us. He was a kid who really wanted it. I was impressed by that from the beginning. The coaching staff was impressed from Day 1 that he was really hungry to come in here.”
McCrary should have an opportunity to earn some minutes with the departure of backup right back Oniel Fisher, who was traded to D.C. United last week. McCrary will also be able to learn from veteran fullback Kelvin Leerdam, a player with over 10 years of experience in top-flight European soccer.
“[Leerdam is] a great player, great guy on and off the field,” said McCrary. “I’ve talked to him quite a bit, just trying to learn and soak up what I can from him. I’m always trying to learn and figure out how I can get better as a player. As a player, you want to be a student of the game. Here, we’ve got great coaches and a great atmosphere.”
Added Lagerwey: “To have a younger player paired with a veteran, that’s what we want at every position. We think this meets that description and we look forward to Jordan coming in and hopefully earning some playing time.”
