Just hours after a report emerged indicating Cillian Sheridan, a 22-year-old Irish striker, may be headed for Seattle on a loan deal, the Sounders have confirmed he's on trial and will play in Tuesday's reserve game. Whether a loan deal is in the works is unclear, but he is training with the team as they get a better look at him to evaluate where he fits, if he does at all.
Jeremiah Oshan, of Sounder at Heart, also confirmed the move and had a few thoughts on Sheridan.
Assuming there is some truth to this, it would make some sense. Sheridan is young (22), big (6-foot-5) and has a pretty decent scoring touch (.34 goals per 90 minutes in Europa League and the top division Bulgarian league this year). If it's really more of a loan deal, it's doubtful he'd count as a Designated Player, which could still allow for another bigger-name signing.
If you'd like to get a look at Sheridan, you can catch him in the reserve match between the Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m. tonight. The game takes place at Starfire Athletic Complex in Tukwila, where the Sounders also train.
Could this be the target forward the Sounders need, or at least a stop-gap at the position while O'Brian White heals and the Sounders search for long-term answers? He's young, seems to have ability and fits the mold of a target forward in the system. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, at least.
For more on the Sounders, head over to Sounder at Heart.