The Sounders Bring a Champion Home
Seattle’s getting a homecoming special this offseason. Ryan Sailor, who carved out his college career at the University of Washington, is officially headed back to the Pacific Northwest after the Sounders scooped him up via free agency. The 27-year-old centerback signed a deal through 2026 with an option that could keep him in Seattle through June 2027.
Sailor’s been collecting hardware down in South Beach like it’s going out of style. Over four seasons with Inter Miami, he racked up three trophies—the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and the big one, MLS Cup 2025. Not a bad résumé for a guy who was the ninth overall pick in the 2022 SuperDraft.
What Seattle’s Getting
The numbers tell part of the story: 49 appearances and a goal in pink and black. But Seattle general manager Craig Waibel sees something deeper. He’s been tracking Sailor since those college days when he was locking down forwards in Husky purple.
“He’s a competitive, intelligent player who brings physicality and composure to the backline, and we believe his profile fits well with the way we want to play. This signing adds important depth to our defensive group, and we’re looking forward to continuing his development within our system.”
Building a New-Look Backline
Sailor isn’t walking into this Seattle locker room alone. He’s the second free-agent pickup this week, joining midfielder Hassani Dotson who bolted from Minnesota. The Sounders are clearly in rebuild mode on the defensive end, and they’re betting that familiarity with the city—and maybe some unfinished business from his college days—will help Sailor hit the ground running.
For a defender who’s been part of championship cultures, the expectations in Seattle won’t feel foreign. The Sounders faithful don’t settle for participation trophies, and Sailor’s trophy case suggests he doesn’t either. Now it’s about proving he can be more than a depth piece. Can he anchor this backline like he helped anchor those Miami title runs? That’s the question Seattle needs answered when the 2026 season kicks off.
