SEATTLE, WASH.– Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it has re-signed forward Will Bruin, bringing the veteran goal-scorer back to Seattle for the 2022 season, with a club option for 2023. The St. Louis native enters his 12th MLS season and sixth with the Rave Green following six years with Houston, having amassed 327 career appearances and 85 goals across all competitions. Bruin’s signing brings Sounders FC’s roster to 26 players heading into the 2022 campaign.
“We’re excited to bring a quality player like Will back into the squad,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Not only does he provide goals for us when we need them, but as a veteran of this league, his winning mentality is an important piece of our team.”
Bruin, 32, again played a reliable role for Sounders FC in 2021, tallying 24 regular-season appearances and 16 starts with three goals and four assists, in addition playing in all three 2021 Leagues Cup matches. Since coming to Seattle prior to the 2017 season, Bruin has started 69 of his 116 MLS appearances, recording 27 goals and 15 assists (including postseason play), helping the club to three MLS Cup Final appearances and the 2019 title. Among active MLS players, he is tied for first with nine goals in postseason play and tied for 10th with 74 regular-season strikes.
“Will has been an integral member of this team since he joined us prior to the 2017 season,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He’s a hard-working, goal-dangerous player that bolsters our attack, in addition to the experience and leadership he adds to our squad.”
Before joining Sounders FC in December of 2016, Bruin enjoyed a prolific career with the Houston Dynamo after being the 11th overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. The striker tallied 56 goals and 21 assists in his time with Houston (including postseason play), appearing in back-to-back MLS Cup Finals in 2011 and 2012. Bruin made two appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2013 and was on the roster on the 2013 Concacaf Gold Cup-winning squad.
“It’s always a good thing to have reliable, experienced players on the squad,” said Sounders FC Senior Vice President of Soccer Operations & Sporting Director Craig Waibel. “On top of providing a great attacking piece for our team, Will knows what it takes to be successful in this league.”
A three-year standout at Indiana University from 2008-2010, Bruin scored 33 goals in 66 appearances for the Hoosiers, including a team-high 18 tallies as a junior, when he finished second in the voting for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC re-signs forward Will Bruin on January 20, 2022.
Full Name: Will Bruin
Position: Forward
Number: 17
Height: 6-2
Weight: 194
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Date of Birth: October 24, 1989 in St. Louis, Missouri
Nationality: United States
Acquired: Re-signed on January 20, 2022
Previous Clubs: Houston Dynamo (2011-2016)
CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): *Stefan Cleveland,Stefan Frei, Andrew Thomas
DEFENDERS (6): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Jimmy Medranda, Nouhou, Brad Smith
MIDFIELDERS (12): Josh Atencio, Reed Baker-Whiting, Léo Chú, Ethan Dobbelaere, João Paulo, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan, Kelyn Rowe, Albert Rusnák, Obed Vargas, Dylan Teves
FORWARDS (5): Samuel Adeniran,Will Bruin, Jordan Morris, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Raúl Ruidíaz
