SEATTLE, WA — Kenny Cooper (wiki) has landed with Sounders FC in his fourth MLS club stop in as many years. See quotes from the forward below, as released by the club.

(On joining Sounders FC…) “I’m incredibly excited. It’s a great opportunity to come to an amazing franchise with a massive and passionate fan base, so I’m thrilled.”

(On if he foresaw a trade…) “I had an idea it was possible because of my contract situation. I couldn’t be happier with where I ended up and I’m very appreciative of everyone at the Sounders and the faith they have shown in me.”

(On when he heard the news and his initial reaction…) “I’ve been on the East Coast, my wife and I, spending time with her family in Baltimore, up to New Jersey, down in South Carolina—we kind of go up and down the East Coast. Again, we’re very excited. We’ve been in the Pacific Northwest before, loved the area and loved being a part of the passionate soccer culture that’s up there. We recognized that it’s a great opportunity for us, and we’re both thrilled.”

(On the outside impression of playing a game in Seattle…) “Everyone gets excited to play because you know whenever you come, the seats are going to be not only filled, but filled with fans who are going to supporting their team in a great way. It’s always an amazing atmosphere. I think everyone dreams of playing in that type of atmosphere and we’re so fortunate now that in this league, Seattle provides such a great place to play. Obviously, for the players in Seattle it’s a great experience, I can imagine, to play home games in front of them. From my experience being a player on the away team, I think it’s a game that everybody looks forward to experiencing that fan culture.”

(On playing for his fourth team in four years…) “I don’t know how to answer that, to be honest with you, but I would love to be in Seattle for a long time. I’m just thrilled with where I’ve ended up and incredibly grateful for the faith shown in me—really looking forward to it. It’s a really great opportunity.”

(On his goal-scoring total being down from the previous year…) “That’s a hard one to answer. In New York, I played with a very, very good team. We made the playoffs last year and I was fortunate to play with a hero of mine in Thierry Henry, who might be one of the greatest players to every play the game. I believe I really benefited from playing alongside him and the other great players in that team. We had a good run in season and made the playoffs, then unfortunately ended before we all wanted it to. I have to give credit where credit is due—I’ve been fortunate the last couple of years with and alongside some great players, and I’m coming in to a team that also a lot of talent in the attack, but also in the back. The team has picked up some fantastic players in Stefan Frei and Chad Marshall, so I’m looking forward to the group that I’ll play with this year.”

(On playing alongside Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins…) “They’re both players that I really admire. Clint’s had an incredible career abroad, also with National Team and in MLS. I had the opportunity to meet him once in a camp. I know he’s a great guy and I’m looking forward to seeing him again…There’s so many players in this team that are so talented and have so much great experience. I’m really keeping my mind open and looking forward to spending time around these guys—playing with them, learning from them, and being their teammate.”

(On what he feels he can add to the team…) “I’ll help contribute on both sides of the ball. As a forward, you understand the expectation to score goals and create them, so obviously a desire to that from my part. Also, putting in an honest effort every day and in every game and look to give the team my best every day.”

(On playing various positions up front…) “I’ve had experience playing in various roles. I’m comfortable playing different positions and, at the end of the day, want the coach to feel comfortable putting me wherever it is he thinks is best. I’m an attacking forward player, so my hope is to come in and contribute to the scoring and help create goals for the team.”



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