10 Sounders FC Academy Players Commit to Colleges

The National Letter of Intent signing period began on February 2.

RENTON, WASH. – Ten members of the Seattle Sounders FC Academy Under-18 team have committed their futures to collegiate soccer programs. Along with developing talent for the Major League Soccer club’s senior team, the Sounders FC Academy also strives to develop young men to maximize their educational options.

“We are extremely proud of the Sounders FC Academy players that are continuing their education at the college level,” said Darren Sawatzky, Director of Youth Development. “These great opportunities are a credit to their hard work on and off the field of play.”

The National Letter of Intent signing period began on February 2.

Among those that have signed an NLI, Nick Palodichuk of Battleground, Wash., has already enrolled at Duke University. He was the 2010 Gatorade Washington State Player of the Year.

Sean Okoli of Federal Way, Wash., represented the U.S. U-18 National Team in Israel for a four-nation tournament in December.

Nathaniel Boatright (Defender, Olympia, Wash./Capital HS): Concordia University
Rodney Greiling (Goalkeeper, Kent, Wash./Kentwood): Florida International University
Ryan Herman (Goalkeeper, Fall City, Wash./Mount Si HS): Santa Clara University
Sean Okoli (Forward, Federal Way, Wash./Todd Beamer HS): Wake Forest University
Glenn Paden (Forward, Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest HS): Oregon State University
Nick Palodichuk (Defender, Battleground, Wash./Camas HS): Duke University
Troy Peterson (Midfielder, Federal Way, Wash./Todd Beamer HS): College of Charleston
Evan Robicheau (Defender, Puyallup, Wash./Puyallup HS): Seattle Pacific University
Drew White (Defender, Camas, Wash./Camas HS): University of Washington
DeAndre Yedlin (Midfielder, Lake Forest Park, Wash./O’Dea HS): Akron University

The Sounders FC Academy will host an Open House on Wednesday night, February 16, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Foster High School Performing Arts Center in Tukwila, Wash. It provides an opportunity to learn more about the Sounders FC Academy U15/16 and U17/18 teams as well as other programs offered to enhance the 2011-2012 Youth System for Sounders FC.