Sounders sign Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez as a Homegrown Player

The 17-year-old forward helped the Sounders win the GA Cup last month

The Seattle Sounders announced this morning that they have signed 17-year-old forward Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez as a Homegrown Player. Ocampo-Chavez signed with the Tacoma Defiance last season, and recently helped the Sounders Academy win the 2019 Generation adidas Cup. The Sounders are the first MLS side to win the Championship Division of that tournament. Ocampo-Chavez is the 13th Homegrown Player to be signed by the Sounders in their MLS history.

“We are pleased to sign a second player off our Generation adidas Cup and National Championship-winning squad to the First Team, and it’s a testament to the development system we have in place,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Alfonso is a talented young player who has proven himself among his peers, and now he has the opportunity to show what he can do at a higher level.”

“Alfonso is a good young player who is doing well within our developmental system,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “The coaching staff is looking forward to integrating him into our team and assessing his progress towards contributing as a First Team player.”

“Alfonso has come on strong in the last year, including being a key player in our Academy’s victories at the GA Cup and featuring regularly with the Youth National Team,” said Sounders FC VP of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “He has very good technique striking the ball and has a nose for the goal. Our staff is looking forward to working with him to see him continue on the development pathway, and hopefully he can be a First Team regular in the future.”

Ocampo-Chavez is currently with the U.S. U-17 Youth National Team for the Concacaf U-17 Championship, which started today in Bradenton, Florida. He is that team’s leading scorer in this cycle with five goals in 14 matches.