Sounders Add Marc Burch, Lose Nate Jaqua And Pat Noonan

There was a bit more action than may have been expected in stage two of the MLS Re-Entry Draft today as the Seattle Sounders selected former DC United defender Marc Burch with the first pick, acquired from the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for the Sounders third-round 2012 MLS SuperDraft selection. Nate Jaqua and Pat Noonan were acquired by the New England Revolution and Los Angeles Galaxy, respectively. The selection of Burch should take care of one of the Sounders less-publicized needs, that being depth at the left back position. Burch also has time at left midfield and center back and should play a role similar to that of Zach Scott on the opposite side of the pitch.

The official parting of ways between the Sounders and veterans Jaqua in Noonan comes as little surprise. Jaqua enjoyed a very good first season with Seattle, but injuries and lost effectiveness saw him slide very low on the depth chart at forward. Moving to New England may well be exactly what the big striker needs to find his goal scoring groove, as his playing time will be expected to get a significant bump. Noonan will presumably fill the MLS veteran leadership role vacated by the loss of Frankie Hejduk. Noonan's loss will almost certainly have a bigger impact in the locker room than on the pitch, but given the roster constraints the team must operate under and the signs of maturity shown last season the team clearly believes it's a trade-off worth making.

The Sounders still have some work to do in terms of building the defense, but the picture is beginning to become clearer. The team will almost certainly be adding a new right back, and the general sense is that it will be a player they see as an upgrade over James Riley. Given the signing of Burch, it's difficult to see a similar move being made at the left back position unless Leo Gonzalez is traded. If the Sounders end up signing an attacking right back, Gonzalez is far from the worst option at his position; Leo is a strong defender and his deficiencies as an attacking player would be less of an issue if he were asked to join the attack less frequently. Expect the picture to become clearer over the next several weeks.