Kenny Cooper

Lore & Background

Cooper's arrival in Seattle was part of a significant roster overhaul orchestrated by head coach Sigi Schmid and general manager Adrian Hanauer. Following a season marked by tension between players and staff, the club traded away key figures like Michael Gspurning, Mauro Rosales, and Eddie Johnson. Cooper, who had been with FC Dallas, was brought in specifically to add depth and experience. He was one of only four major signings expected to see significant playing time or start immediately, joining Stefan Frei, Chad Marshall, and Marco Pappa. This influx of new talent meant that a majority of the 37 players reporting to training camp in January 2014 were new to the organization.

In Their Own Story

The trade for Kenny Cooper was finalized before the 2014 campaign began, swapping him with FC Dallas for midfielder Adam Moffat. This move was one of several strategic transactions designed to fix a team that had won only one of its final ten regular-season matches in 2013. While other notable moves included acquiring Marco Pappa through league allocation rules and Stefan Frei from Toronto FC, Cooper's integration into the lineup was immediate. He joined a group where many veterans were replaced by MLS stars, aiming to help Seattle achieve its historic double of winning the U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters' Shield that same year.

Reader's Guide

Kenny Cooper arrived in Seattle during the winter offseason of 2013-2014 as part of a major trade with FC Dallas. In this transaction, he was sent to Seattle while Adam Moffat moved to Dallas. Cooper was categorized alongside Stefan Frei, Chad Marshall, and Marco Pappa as one of the most high-profile names joining the club. These four were explicitly expected to step into the starting eleven or secure significant playing time. The trade occurred amidst a broader roster reconstruction that saw the departure of players like Eddie Johnson and Mauro Rosales. Cooper's addition was intended to address the team's struggles from the previous season, contributing to a squad that went on to set club records for points and goals in MLS history.

Did You Know?

• Kenny Cooper was acquired by Seattle Sounders FC in a trade with FC Dallas specifically for midfielder Adam Moffat.
• He was one of four high-profile new signings, alongside Stefan Frei, Chad Marshall, and Marco Pappa, expected to start immediately.
• Cooper joined the club during an offseason where a majority of the 37 players reporting to training camp in January 2014 were new to the team.
• The trade for Cooper was part of a strategy described by owner Joe Roth as bringing in 'more plumbers and less dancers' to overhaul the squad.