Sounders rough season start still keep fan’s hope alive

TUKWILA, Washington. — After losing the first three opening matches of the MLS 2016 Season against Sporting KC, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps, the Seattle Sounders have signed former U.S. national team forward Herculez Gomez, looking to jumpstart the club and hoping to keep the long season alive. The 33-year-old had been training with Seattle and the Sounders decided to add another veteran to their roster.

“Herculez is a veteran player who has played in some big games,” Sounders manager Sigi Schmid last Thursday. “I look forward to his team play, hard-working attitude and his goal scoring as an addition to our team.”

Gomez has appeared in 24 games and scored six goals for the U.S. between 2007-13 but hasn’t made an appearance for the Americans since the 2013 Gold Cup.

On the club level, Gomez spent parts of six seasons playing for a variety of clubs in Liga MX in Mexico, with his most productive stint coming in two seasons at Santos Laguna, where he appeared in 45 matches and scored 13 goals.

“We’re happy to add a player with Herculez’s experience to our current roster,” Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said. “He has done well in training and we look forward to seeing what he can bring to the team.” Gomez appeared in seven games last season for Toronto and had previously played for Los Angeles, Colorado and Kansas City in MLS.