TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
The Seattle Sounders have signed forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez to a Homegrown contract, the club announced Wednesday.
Ocampo-Chavez, who turned 17 in March, has made three appearances for the Tacoma Defiance in USL Championship this season. He made his debut in USL when he was 15-years-old and made a further three appearances in 2018. The 17-year-old becomes the 13th Homegrown Player signing in Sounders history.
"We are pleased to sign a second player off our Generation adidas Cup and National Championship-winning squad to the First Team, and it's a testament to the development system we have in place," said Sounders FC GM & president of soccer Garth Lagerwey in a statement. "Alfonso is a talented young player who has proven himself among his peers, and now he has the opportunity to show what he can do at a higher level."
Ocampo-Chavez starred at the 2019 Generation adidas Cup, winning the Golden Boot with six goals scored as the Sounders U-17 made history as the first MLS Academy to win the Champions Division, beating the likes of River Plate, Flamengo, West Ham and Valencia in the process.
The teenager has been a mainstay at youth levels for the US national team, named to the latest U-17 Concacaf Championship squad. The US play their first match at that tournament on May 2 against Canada as the nation looks to qualify for the U-17 World Cup.
"Alfonso has come on strong in the last year, including being a key player in our Academy's victories at the GA Cup and featuring regularly with the Youth National Team," said Sounders VP of soccer & sporting director Chris Henderson said. "He has very good technique striking the ball and has a nose for the goal. Our staff is looking forward to working with him to see him continue on the development pathway, and hopefully he can be a First Team regular in the future."
Ocampo-Chavez will likely continue to earn minutes with the Defiance this season while he plays for the US U-17's. He fits in behind Raul Ruidiaz, Will Bruin and Jordan Morris on the Sounders striker depth chart.
