Rookie Leone Cruz failed to make the cut / Drew McKenzie, Sportspress Northwest

When the Sounders resume training Wednesday at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, The Trialist will join the team.

His name: Mauro Rosales, an Argentine midfielder, most recently with Querétaro of the Mexican Primera División. Rosales also has played previously for the Argentina National Team, Newell’s Old Boys, River Plate and Holland’s Ajax. He was a member of the gold medal team at the 2004 Olympic Games.

Rosales first trained as The Trialist with Seattle last week in Florida. He could be a surprise late addition to the team and a player expected to compete for a starting position.

Meanwhile, defenders Danny Earls, Leone Cruz and Richard Martinez are no longer training with the club. Seattle acquired Earls and Julien Baudet from Colorado in exchange for midfielder Peter Vagenas on Nov. 22, 2010. Cruz was chosen by Sounders FC in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft (21st overall) after completing his collegiate career at Southern Methodist University. Martinez joined Sounders training in Florida last week after a season with the Puerto Rico Islanders.

That trims the number of players who will be training Wednesday to 32. It doesn’t mean every one has been offered a roster spot yet.

Coach Sigi Schmid still needs to resolve the goal keeper contest between rookies Bryan Merideth and Josh Ford. The latest cuts also mean that forward Lamar Neagle and rookie invitee Jonathon Prieto are still clinging to potential spots — as are a couple of Sounders’ veterans.

Because Rosales is considered a Discovery Player, his presence in camp does not count against the roster unless the Sounders decide to sign him. Expect more announcements and player changes over the next 24 hours.

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7 Comments

    • Stanley Holmes on

      FYI – The Sounders have not finalized the roster — they are merely roster compliant. Expect more announcements, more cuts, perhaps more signings.

  1. Mauro Rosales is the worst player ever. His movements are apathetic and predictable, I would never suggest him to any soccer club no matter what.