The Sounders development pathway continues to churn out top-level talents with the First Team’s addition of midfielder Snyder Brunell on July 29.
The 18-year-old joins the Seattle Sounders on a 2 1/2 year Homegrown contract — with an option for 2029 — in the midst of his second season as a pro with Tacoma Defiance.
“He's gotten a lot stronger, his overall capacity to run has improved. There's a lot of things that he's done physically to make himself the best athlete possible,” said Director of Development Wade Webber. “He's got a willingness to take risks. He's got a lot of confidence, but he's still very humble. And I think those are some of the things that stood out to the First Team.”
Since his arrival to the club’s Academy in 2021, his goal was to earn a First-Team contract. With hard work and dedication toward his development, Brunell’s dream has become a reality.
“[It’s an] unreal feeling,” said Brunell. “My family is super happy for me, they've been a very big part of it. The staff has been a very big part of it. [I’m] just really happy, and I can't wait to get started.”
Upon reflection of his journey at the club, Brunell notes that the structure and learning experiences he underwent in the Academy and Defiance prepared him to compete at the highest level.
“They teach the same foundation and principles as the First Team. So, whenever I go up with the First Team and train with them, I get the concepts easier,” said Brunell. “At the Academy, they get you started with the basics, learning the culture of the club, and then [with] Defiance, it's a higher level. So better technical ability, better technical execution, as well as continuing to implement the foundation of the club at another level.”
It is his natural talent in the midfield and disciplined mindset, however, that has allowed him to stand out amongst the rest. Webber described him as a versatile, seasoned pro, comparing him to midfielder Obed Vargas.
“I think you may have to see him a lot and work with him a lot to be able to see his immediate value to a team. He doesn't jump out at as like ‘Oh man. He's so fast, or he's so strong, or he's so technical…He's good at everything.’”
Only a handful of players can say they’ve signed a First Team contract as a teenager. The paths of Vargas, Danny Leyva and Josh Atencio made Brunell’s goal of joining the Rave Green feel more attainable.
Leagues Cup 2025
The battle for North America is back and it’s bigger than ever.
This summer, 36 of the best — all 18 clubs from Liga MX and the top 18 qualifying teams from MLS — will clash for regional supremacy, with the top three finishers punching their ticket to the Concacaf Champions Cup.
“All those guys like coming through the academy, I watched some of them play whenever I was in the Academy,” said Brunell. “So just really looking up to them, and just seeing them progress through the rankings, it's very nice to see like, ‘oh, I can definitely do that.’”
And he hopes his next step with the First Team can help pave the way for the next generation of Academy players hoping to follow in his footsteps.
“Everyone's journey is different and that if you trust yourself, trust your ability, [and] stay confident, then you can make it,” he said.
A surreal moment for the Kirkland, Wash. native, Brunell is looking forward to the opportunity ahead. While he recognizes it won't be easy to compete for a spot in the deep team that is the Seattle Sounders, he is determined to prove the impact he can bring onto the pitch.
“Now that I'm here one of my goals is to try and break into the team, try and get more minutes, just continuing to work,” said Brunell. “But overall, just staying grounded, continuing to push, knowing that it's going to be a lot of ups and downs, but knowing that I can do this, and I feel like I can't break into that starting spot.”
