TUCSON, Ariz. — After reports began circulating that Seattle Sounders original Brad Evans was training with Sporting Kansas City, Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer addressed Evans’ situation following a preseason training session on Tuesday.

“He means a lot to the club, he hasn’t gone anywhere yet,” Schmetzer said. “The players fought hard for free agency, that’s their right, and Brad is certainly dipping his toes in the water. That’s his right.”

Evans, 32, joined Seattle prior to the start of the Sounders’ inaugural MLS season in 2009, fresh off winning an MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew. A versatile player capable of playing in the midfield or the back line, he scored 20 goals and recorded 27 assists in 200 regular-season games in Seattle.

Plagued by injuries much of last year, he finished 2017 with a goal in 11 games played, logging 480 minutes. His contract expired at the end of the season.

‘The way I look at it, he’s been here since ’09,” Schmetzer said. “He’s one of the originals. There’s a saying out there, ‘Once a Sounder, always a Sounder.’ Whatever happens, we’ll always be appreciative of Brad’s efforts, and he’ll always be a Sounder.”