Japanese International Keisuke Honda is linked to join the Sounders during the summer. Would he make them the 2017 MLS Cup favorites?

News broke Friday morning that the Seattle Sounders had revamped their efforts in signing the Japanese international Keisuke Honda. Italian news outlet the Gazzetta reported that the deal was finalized but since then the CEO of AC Milan, the team that the Japanese midfielder currently plays for, came out and said Honda is staying with the Italian side until the end of their season in June:

“Absolutely not. Honda will stay until June, until the expiry of his contract at AC Milan: we already agree with him and the coach.”

It seems as though the Sounders are still pursuing Honda and he could very easily become a summer signing, just like Nicolas Lodeiro was last season. Honda would be an incredible addition to an already intimidating front four. Honda would probably be put on the right wing with Dempsey on the left, Lodeiro in the middle, and Jordan Morris playing as the point striker:

Morris

Dempsey—Lodeiro—Honda

With Lodeiro’s signing last summer, we have already seen the dramatic effect a player can have coming in halfway through the season. So now the question is, what effect would Honda have on the Sounders?

It all depends on what Honda puts into it. Since Honda has been struggling to get real time with AC Milan, Honda will most likely be coming over to the MLS wanting to make as big of an impact as possible, taking the league as seriously as Lodeiro did when he joined last year. If that is the case, Honda will be a huge acquisition for the Sounders and would add a completely new dynamic to the Sounder attack. He is a huge counter attacking threat, complimenting Morris and his threat on the break, and could find quick ways to break down defenses.

If Honda joined the Rave Green this summer and defensively they are as solid as they were at the end of last season, it is hard to imagine anyone bettering this Sounders team. This signing would definitely make them favorites to win MLS Cup if they weren’t already.

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