SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has re-signed goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland and defender Jimmy Medranda. Both players return for their second season in Seattle, after Cleveland was acquired last offseason and Medranda came via late-season trade in October. Today’s moves bring the club to 21 players on the current roster.
“We are pleased to add two more pieces to our roster ahead of the 2021 season,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Stefan did well as a member of our goalkeeping group last year, and we were impressed with Jimmy after he joined us late last season. Both will provide our squad with quality depth as we head into a new campaign.”
Cleveland served as Stefan Frei’s backup last season after coming to Seattle in November of 2019 via trade with Chicago, who originally selected him with the 26th overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Cleveland has five career appearances (all starts) in MLS play, in addition to 22 USL League One appearances (all starts) while on loan with Lansing Ignite FC in 2019.
Medranda made three appearances (including postseason) for Sounders FC after coming over in October via trade with Nashville SC for midfielder Handwalla Bwana. The Colombian international joined the league in 2013, winning MLS Cup in his rookie season with Sporting Kansas City, in addition to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles in 2015 and 2017. He has a total of 102 total MLS appearances (including postseason), scoring five goals. Prior to his time in MLS, Medranda spent 2012-2013 with Colombia’s Deportivo Pereira, making 16 appearances scoring two goals in all competitions.
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC re-signs goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland and defender Jimmy Medranda on January 27, 2021.
Name: Stefan Cleveland
Position: Goalkeeper
Number: 30
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
Born: May 24, 1994 in Dayton, Ohio
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
Citizenship: United States
College: Louisville / Dartmouth
Acquired: Via trade from Chicago Fire FC on November 26, 2019. Re-signed on January 27, 2021.
Previous Experience: Chicago Fire FC (2017-2019)
Name: Jimmy Medranda
Position: Defender
Number: 94
Height: 5-5
Weight: 150
Born: February 7, 1994 in Mosquera, Columbia
Hometown: Mosquera, Columbia
Citizenship: Columbia
Acquired: Via trade from Nashville SC on October 21, 2020. Re-signed on January 26, 2021.
Previous Experience: Nashville SC (2020), Sporting Kansas City (2013-2019), Deportivo Pereira (2012-2013)
CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Stefan Cleveland, Stefan Frei, Trey Muse
DEFENDERS (7): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Jimmy Medranda, Nouhou, Shane O’Neill, Alex Roldan, Brad Smith
MIDFIELDERS (8): Josh Atencio, Jordy Delem, Ethan Dobbelaere, Shandon Hopeau, João Paulo, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan
FORWARDS (3): Will Bruin, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Raúl Ruidíaz
