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Sporting Kansas City is expected to announce the signing of Brad Evans. The former Seattle Sounder defender is a free agent and has been with Sporting Kansas City since last week in Kansas City, then traveled with the team when they returned to Arizona.
Evans himself seemed to confirm the move via Twitter.
Can't say 'thank you' enough to my @SoundersFC family/players that trusted in me & of course the city of Seattle for 9 years of amazing memories. We had a good run. I hope u continue to support your rave green soldiers through thick & thin. I'll be your future GM #sounders
— brad evans (@brad_evans3) February 13, 2018
Evans was drafted in 2007 by the Columbus Crew but was taken by Seattle in the expansion draft shortly after helping the Crew win the 2008 MLS Cup. With over 200 games and 25 goals, Evans will bring experience and depth to the Sporting KC backline where he can play center back or on the right. He has a versatility that Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes loves in his players.
This is not a surprise move for Sporting KC, Vermes made it plain to media that he was interested in Evans last week. “Brad is a free agent and coming off an injury from when he was in Seattle. He’s a player I’ve known for a long time, spent a lot of time with him leading up to the 2005 U20 World Championship. I’ve always had a good relationship with him. We are going to see if he can get back to full strength, if he can I think he can be really useful for our club.”
“One thing I know about him is he is an incredible competitor; he’s a great team guy which it doesn’t hurt to add those things,” Vermes continued. “He and us both want to make sure that he is able to give what he can based on health and so far so good.”
Evans only played in 11 games last season with just 6 starts, having not played at all since August of 2017 so his health will be a big question mark. With those health questions and a very solid back line for SKC, only time will tell if he can compete for a starting spot or be bench depth with occasional starts for a team that is desperate to make a run in the playoffs.
Another question will be what the cap hit is for Evans, he made $338,000 for Seattle last year. Would Vermes be willing to pay anywhere close to that for depth and spot starts even with so much experience? Of course, there is an abundance of GAM and TAM laying around needing to be spent.
Good move for SKC?