SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 announced on Monday nine returning players, including 2017 USL 20 Under 20 selection Sam Rogers, and the signing of former Academy product Nick Hinds as the club began preparations for its 2018 USL season, the club’s first in Tacoma, Wash. at Cheney Stadium. The signings are pending federation approval.

The No. 5 selection in last year’s USL Under 20, Rogers made 25 appearances for S2 in his first professional season while recording 109 clearances and 50 interceptions. He is joined in the returning defensive corps by Rodrigue Ele and Denso Ulysse, who logged 16 and 15 games respectively last season.

Hinds signed professional terms with S2 after playing for the past two seasons for the University of Akron collegiately, but brings prior experience of the USL to the club. A former member of the U.S. U20 National Team, Hinds made six appearances for S2 as an Academy signing in the 2016 USL season before joining the Zips that fall. At Akron, he made 44 appearances and recorded 11 goals and eight assists over two seasons.

“We're very happy with the current crop of prospects that we have on our S2 roster, and we look forward to evaluating more players as preseason training gets started,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Over the past few years, we've seen the importance of S2 to our development process, and the move to Tacoma this season only presents new opportunities for our club and players.”

Others returning to S2’s squad for the new season including midfielders Ray Saari and Francisco Narbon, both of whom recorded more than 1,900 minutes of action in the 2017 regular season, and former Academy standout Azriel Gonzalez. Forwards Felix Chenkam, Shandon Hopeau and David Olsen also return to the side after combining for 10 goals last season.