Seattle Sports Insider

Seattle Sports Insider

The Return of Zach Scott

Sounder player receives new contract

Posted by

SeattleSoccerInsider

1/22/16

1

He is the longest tenured player with the Seattle Sounders. He just announced today that he is putting off his retirement in order to play with the team yet another season. Although the Sounders are quickly building a younger, faster team before the 2016 season begins, they have signed on 35-year-old Zach Scott to new contract to play again. That will make this Scott’s 15^th year with the team.

Sounders FC General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey told the press that he is very pleased to have Scott back on the team, and that Scott means a great deal to the team. Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid was even more enthusiastic about his return, saying, “It’s exciting to bring back a player who competes as hard as Zach does day in and day out.” Schmid went on to call Scott not only tough but also resilient and experienced. His signing was announced while the rest of the team was beginning to obtain their pre-season physicals as a last-minute surprise to everyone.

After his contract was not renewed, Scott is likely quite pleased about having a new contract with the Sounders—especially since his other teammates who have been with Rave Green since the start or are veteran team members, like Troy Perkins, Chad Barrett and Gonzo Pineda, were not offered another chance to stick with the team this season. Scott has made 104 appearances as a Sounder in its MLS incarnation; however, his combined number of appearances for the team in USL and MLS history is a whopping 300 games. Last season, after he played for a total of 1,480, fans started calling him Mr. Sounder. Perhaps he has now earned the title even more. Fans speculate that he is simply a player that Schmid truly trusts on the field, one that he hopes will help solidify his defense for the season among the new players who may need some guidance.

Scott is originally from Hawaii. He stands at 5’11 and weighs 175 pounds. He is married with three children. He has started in 82 games and scored one goal and made one assist during those. He has only acquired three red cards throughout his entire time with the team. The Defender wears the number 20 uniform.

Are you pleased that Scott has returned for another season with the Sounders before he retires? Chime in with your thoughts below.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Comments

1

My opinion means nothing, but...

being a season ticket holder from the start, I've seen a lot of Zach.

Here's what I know/assume:

Zach got this contract because of the injury concern about Torres. He was (more than justifiably) forced into retirement before that concern.
He is inept--and calling him a liability is more than courteous. If you rewound every minute of MLS Sounders play, it is impossible to find a player who has surrendered more goals as a result of misplays/comical lack of speed.
He is a classic 'thug'. (Sorry, Richard, this is not a racial description). I think this is valued in a perverse sort of way by the Sounders. It is the prime example of why the EPL describes the MLS as 'too physical'. 'Toughness' replaces talent. Zach is the prototype.

Now, here is what I haven't a shred of evidence to support, and thus can be dismissed by anyone:

Zach Scott is Sigi's snitch in the locker room. It's how the detached coach gets some vision of what players are saying behind his back.

Once Torres is back...or they sign someone capable of playing center back...Zach should ride into the sunset.

Add comment