Feb 25, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Kenny Cooper (33) reacts during the second half against the New England Revolution at Kino Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Ever since October 14, 2014, we’ve been dying to know who would be the first official players for S2. Some speculations figured veteran Sounder, Zach Scott, would be first, but the USL doesn’t have to worry about Scott for at least another year or so. Bear with me, this piece is wordy, but if you want to brush up on your two newest S2 players, then you’re in the right place.

A busy morning following the Sounders 1st team dropping a 2-1 loss to season-opener opponent New England Revolution on a late PK earned through a dive by former Sounder Sean Okoli. The Seattle Sounders USL (United Soccer League) affiliated team, Sounders 2, or S2, signed their first two players, Amadou Sanyang and Duncan McCormick, both who have previous ties to the Sounders organization.

“Duncan and Amadou represent some of the key building blocks of S2. Duncan is a young Academy product who’s a total team guy and has a lot of upside. Amadou has been one of the best midfielders in USL the last couple of years and will lead by example for the younger players. S2 is about development, and these guys are going to help us achieve the full potential of that goal.” said S2 General Manager Andrew Opatkiewicz.

“Signing the team’s first two players is a momentous occasion”

Amadou Sanyang ,23, is in his 9th professional season. The Gambian defensive midfielder, who enjoys getting up and scoring when he can, brings with himself experience from different levels. Sanyang began his professional career with Real de Banjul of the Gambian Championnat National D1. Sanyang’s time with Real de Banjul was a successful one, and in 2007 he was honored as the best midfielder in the Gambian League. His play with the Gambian Under-20 National Team sparked interest among Major League Soccer clubs and in early 2009 he was signed by Toronto FC along with a fellow countrymen Emmanuel Gomez.

Due to his age he was initially ineligible to join the senior squad until his 18th birthday, during this time he trained with both the senior team and the TFC Academy. Following his stint at Toronto, he joined the Sounders where he played only a few minutes in league action but showed us what he was capable of in his appearances in CONCACAF Champions League matches. After Sounders released him, the Charleston Battery picked him up for a few years until S2 decided to bring him back into the family as what should be, team captain.

“Because this is going to be mostly a younger team, I needed someone with experience. Winning is part of developing and I think Amadou is going to be a guy who can help us do that. He has been our captain so far this season and has been an extension of the coaching staff on the field.”

Now onto S2’s second signing, Duncan McCormick, 19, who’s father, Dick McCormick, is no new face to the Sounders’ community. After growing up through Crossfire Premier, he went to the Sounders Academy and and spent a couple months in Spain training with 1st and 23rd division teams; Valencia FC and Colemenar Viejo in 2011. After that he came back to the US to finish high school and balance the Academy and the Reserve team.

While the Skipper of the Academy had to try to fit in with the first team during practices and scrimmages, he began left his scholarship from the soccer powerhouse Wake Forest and agreed to the S2 deal in hopes of making his dream of being a pro that much closer.

“I wasn’t ready to make that jump from the Academy right away, but this allows me to do my business with S2 to hopefully make the move eventually.”

“I have watched Duncan in the Academy for the past three years, and he has the tenacity and bite in the midfield that you always look for in that position,” said Hendrickson. “He is good at running box-to-box and someone we decided we wanted to keep and develop further.”

“It’s good to be a part of this program, especially in the first year,” said McCormick. “I see a ton of positive things coming along and it’s going to be a great stepping stone to get to the First Team.”

While the first two signings of S2’s history happened today, watch out for the next couple of names which should be promising. Pablo Rossi, 22, has been compared to the likes of a younger Fredy Montero or a right-footed Marco Pappa. His free kick skills are well above par, cutting in and out of players with his dribbling skills and speed, but was left behind with S2 while the 1st team traveled to Tucson. With the rate that he is moving, I’m sure he will be loaned out to the 1st team in a matter of months.