RENTON, Wash. – Seattle Sounders FC has acquired midfielder Marco Pappa via allocation, the club announced today. Seattle used its No. 1 selection in Major League Soccer’s Allocation Ranking Order to acquire the former Chicago Fire midfielder. Pappa will be added to the roster pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Clearance.
“Marco is a proven and established player who has been very productive in this league,” said Sporting Director Chris Henderson. “He has the technical quality to create chances for himself and his teammates at any moment. Marco has been able to adapt his game to the International level. He is a high-character guy who brings excitement and quality to our midfield.”
Pappa, 26, played 11 matches for SC Heerenveen of the Dutch Eredivisie in the 2012/13 season. He previously played for the Chicago Fire from 2008-12, making 112 appearances with 26 goals and 16 assists. Pappa has also been capped 30 times by the Guatemalan National Team.
Pappa began his career with the Chicago Fire in 2008, joining the club midseason on loan from CSD Municipal, making six appearances. In his second season, he started a career-high 28 of 30 appearances with five goals and four assists.
Pappa had a breakout season in 2010 when he led the Fire with seven goals and added five assists in 25 appearances, earning MLS All-Star and Goal of the Year honors. He scored a career-high eight goals in the 2011 season and was named an inactive MLS All-Star. In his final season in MLS, Pappa recorded six goals and five assists in 22 appearances.
A native of Guatemala City, Pappa has made 30 appearances for the national team, scoring five goals with three assists. He has three goals in 15 World Cup Qualifiers, including one goal against the United States in 2012.
Pappa is scheduled to join Sounders FC for preseason training in Tucson, Ariz.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) – Acquired midfielder Marco Pappa.
MARCO PAPPA
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-10
Weight: 155
Birthdate: 11/15/1987
Place of Birth: Guatemala City, Guatemala
Citizenship: Guatemala
Last Club: SC Heerenveen (Eredivisie; 2012/13)
Previous Clubs: Chicago Fire (MLS; 2008-12), CSD Municipal (Liga Nacional; 2006-09)
