The future is bright for the Seattle Sounders.
U.S. Soccer on Friday revealed the rosters for a slate for upcoming international youth tournaments, with Sounders midfielder Reed Baker-Whiting and Tacoma Defiance defender Stu Hawkins earning call ups to the U.S. U-19 and U-17 squads, respectively.
Baker-Whiting, 17, has made two appearances for the Rave Green in MLS play in 2022, including one start away to Real Salt Lake back in March. A technical, versatile player capable of lining up in numerous midfield spots, Baker-Whiting has posted one goal, one assist, eight key passes and nine interceptions in 13 starts with the Defiance this year.
The U.S. U-19's are headed to Slovenia from September 16-18 where they will face Malta, Croatia and Scotland at the Slovenia Nations Cup.
Hawkins, 15, is an exciting center back prospect who has cemented himself as a consistent contributor on the Youth National Team circuit. After enjoying a breakout tournament as the Sounders Academy U-17's lifted the Generation adidas Cup, Hawkins has begun to work his way into the Defiance rotation in MLS NEXT Pro. The Fox Island native has started four matches with the Western Conference-leading Defiance, tallying three interceptions, 16 clearances, a 100-percent tackle success rate, and completing 91 percent of his pass attempts.
In preparation for the 2023 Concacaf Championships in February -- which serves as the region's qualification tournament for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup -- the U.S. U-17's will travel to the Czech Republic from September 16-26. The Stars & Stripes will face U-18 teams from Slovakia, Germany and the host nation at the Vaclaz Jezek Tournament.
Two of the top prospects currently making their way through the club's development pipeline, both Baker-Whiting and Hawkins joined the Sounders Discovery Program and progressed through to the Academy before signing professional contracts.
You can learn more about Sounders Academy HERE.
