Adding Shalrie Joseph (at a reduced cost) and draft picks for basically nothing was a risk made due to the tight salary cap situation facing Seattle Sounders FC last offseason. The risk didn't really work out as Joseph was frequently injured and his performances were erratic.

#22 Shalrie Joseph Nat'l Affil Grenada Age 35 Years Pro 12 Years Sounder 1 Pos/Role Attacking/Holding Mid, Target Forward? MLS (+Playoff) Stats CCL/USOC Stats Reserve Stats Apps 12 2 2 Starts 7 2 2 Mins 654 162 180 G 1 0 0 A 1 0 0 PP/90 0.41 -- -- Advanced Stats Off Pass % Net Shot Rate Net Duel Rate Total 65% -0.43 1.37 Team Rank 6th 11th 6th

#22 Shalrie Joseph

Joseph's history in MLS is nearly unrivaled. He belongs in a career pantheon with names like Donovan, DeRo, Twellman, Cunningham. He's quite possibly the greatest central mid to make MLS his primary home.

Seattle has also acquired the No. 3 Allocation ranking, a 2014 natural second round SuperDraft pick and a 2015 natural second round SuperDraft pick from Chivas USA in exchange for Seattle's No. 15 Allocation ranking. Joseph will occupy a Designated Player slot for Seattle.

Seattle had room for half a DP and they got someone who spend 2/3rds of the time not being able to play and half of that was not nearly as good as Joseph had been.

Offense: One of the best short passers on the team. Strong first touch. Solid at using space in or near the center circle. Not great getting further forward. Fading shooting skills. Crossing ability is lacking. Good at reading defenses and slicing through balls by one or two lines. As a forward drifted to the midfield too much.

Defense: Still a good ball winner, but does not cover enough ground. Does not slide into tackles any longer. Strong on set-play defense. Better at reading the opposing offense than most opposing offenses. At forward lacked the speed to force poor passes.

Physique: Lost nearly all speed. Great strength and height. Oft-injured with nagging types of things.

Best Case 2014: When Joseph re-did his deal to bring Clint Dempsey aboard he got another year. What value that year is at is unknown. If priced right and healthy Shalrie could compete for time as a deep bench player using veteran whiles and skillful passing to finish off a lead. At a higher price his time in MLS is done.