The Sounders Thursday loaned midfielder/forward David Estrada to the Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League. Estrada, 26, has started 18 of 40 appearances in his five seasons with Sounders, scoring five goals. He became the third player in club history to score a hat trick when he struck for three goals against Toronto FC March 14, 2012.
Estrada’s last appearance was October 19, 2013, playing the final 21 minutes as a second-half substitute at FC Dallas and matching his career-high with 17 appearances last season. The Sounders originally selected Estrada with the 11th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft Jan. 14, 2010.
Estrada had his most notable success with the club at the outset of the 2012 season. In addition to the hat trick in the home opener, which netted him MLS Player of the Week honors, he followed with a game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Houston.
Estrada made five appearances for the Sounders in the 2014 preseason, logging 160 minutes with one goal.