UPDATE, Oct. 18: Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer confirmed after his club's 0-0 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday that the Sounders are trading Handwalla Bwana to Nashville SC, and will be receiving a player in return, although the coach stopped short of revealing who that player is. Schmetzer said the club would have liked to keep Bwana, but that the player felt there would be a better opportunity to get minutes elsewhere and the team decided to accommodate his request.
"I think it was a strong opinion from [general manager] Garth [Lagerwey] and myself that we would have preferred to keep Bwana here," Schmetzer said. "He's got some talent. He was a Homegrown player, we certainly have a strong commitment to our Homegrown process. But if a player doesn't want to be here, then sometimes we just have to make decisions that are best for both club and player."
As for who the Sounders are getting back, Schmetzer said he couldn't announce the identity yet, but said that Seattle will be receiving a left-footed attacking player that he plans on playing up a line where Bwana may have been playing.
TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
Is Handwalla Bwana on his way to the Music City? According to Washington Post reporter Steven Goff, the Seattle Sounders are “preparing to trade” the Homegrown attacking player to Nashville SC.
The 23-year-old winger has four goals in 32 regular season appearances across three seasons after becoming the Sounders 10th Homegrown signing on Jan. 11, 2018.
The potential trade, which would reportedly extend Bwana’s contract, makes sense for both sides. Bwana has been used sparingly for Seattle this season, with just two starts in five appearances, his last being a 1-minute outing against the Portland Timbers on Sept. 6 after a 56-minute shift as a starter against Real Salt Lake four days earlier.
Due to several injuries, Nashville are in desperate need for attacking help as the expansion side makes a postseason push.
