SEATTLE, WASH. - Seattle Sounders FC today announced the signing of Sounders FC 2 midfielder Zach Mathers to a short-term agreement ahead of Tuesday evening's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fifth Round match against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT / Live-streamed on SoundersFC.com, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). Mathers previously signed a short-term agreement and participated in Seattle’s Fourth Round Open Cup match on June 15, logging 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over the Kitsap Pumas.
Mathers has appeared in 11 games for S2 this season, recording two assists. The rookie was selected in the Second Round (35th overall) in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft this January out of Duke University, where he was a three-time All-ACC selection and led the Blue Devils with eight goals and eight assists in in 2015.
MLS clubs may sign players from their USL affiliate to short-term agreements (up to four-day contracts) for CONCACAF Champions League, AMWAY Canadian Championship, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and exhibition matches. An MLS club may sign a player to a maximum of four short-term agreements each season (maximum of 16 days).
