Goodbye DeAndre Yedlin, You Will Be Missed in Seattle
It makes me sad that I am writing this article. DeAndre Yedlin has become one of my all-time favorite players in his short time as a member of the Seattle Sounders. For those of you that have been living under a rock, Yedlin is finally making his move to EPL side Tottenham Hotspur.
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I’m not afraid to say I have a bit of a man crush on Yedlin. I also know that I am not alone in this department. What is there not to like about Yedlin, besides the fact that he is moving on to another team. I remember the first time I say Yedlin play, I asked my buddy sitting next to me who the heck is this kid.
After two years at The University of Akron, Yedlin became the Sounders first ever homegrown player after he signed a contract on January 11, 2013. He made his debut for the team on March 2, 2013 against the Montreal Impact. Yedlin was named to the MLS Team of the Week for his performance, becoming the first rookie to earn the honor in his professional debut.
DeAndre scored his first ever professional goal on March 12th against Tigres in the second leg of the teams CONCACAF Champions League victory. He was also named to the MLS All-Star team, becoming the first rookie since Michael Parkhurst in 2005 to receive that honor.
When Yedlin entered the league, he immediately became one of the fastest players in the league. The Sounders used his speed to their advantage early in the 2013 season. Yedlin would constantly be harassing the left side of the defense with his speed. With him playing forward late in a game against the Colorado Rapids, Yedlin scored his first ever MLS goal in a 1-1 draw.
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Over the last two years not only has Yedlin matured, he has gotten better defensively. Some might say that is the reason he was named to the final 23-man roster for the 2014 World Cup by Jurgen Klinsmann. Personally I felt he was added to the team for his speed and it seemed as if I was correct as Klinsmann used him primarily as a winger, minus the game against Belgium where he subbed on for an injured Fabian Johnson at right back.
After Yedlin’s stellar World Cup, top clubs around Europe were looking at the 20 year-old, now 21. There were rumors that the likes of AS Roma and a few other Italian clubs were looking to bring Yedlin to their team. In the end, Tottenham won the right to have Yedlin join their team. Now fans began to wonder when he would be transferred to Tottenham.
It was finally announced that he would not make the move until the 2014 MLS season was over. Now that the season is over, it only makes sense for him to make the move during the January transfer window.
I can’t speak for everyone else, but I am sure a lot of people feel the same way when I say we will truly miss you here in Seattle DeAndre. I want to personally wish you all the best during your time in England. I hope you become the next big thing in Europe. I also can’t wait for you to become a regular start for the USMNT and Jurgen Klinsmann. Hopefully we will see you again in Seattle real soon.
By the way Yedlin, can you bring this look back please?
Mar 12, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin (2) crosses the ball during the 2nd half against the Tigres UANL at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Tigres UANL 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Or possibly any of the other wild, crazy hairstyles you have had in your two years in Seattle.
Goodbye DeAndre Yedlin, You Will Be Missed in Seattle. Once a Sounder, Always a Sounder.