In Praise of Zach Scott

Zach Scott is basically the living embodiment of grit. He is the David Eckstein of the MLS. The guy routinely out works and stops opposing attackers with much more skill and athleticism. He does this with a combination of hard work, dirty play, and tenacity. Like I said grit.

Scott is one of the few players to join the MLS squad from the USL version of the Sounders when they upgraded leagues in 2009. Since than he has played for the Sounders in every single one of their MLS seasons. Now 35 years old and an MLS veteran, he is the only guy left from the USL days. He has survived and at times flourished.

Throughout his tenure with the Rave Green the team has routinely tried to replace Scott. Just this year they started the season by moving captain Brad Evans to centerback, a position Evans had never played professionally. After that experiment failed the Sounders returned Scott to the starting eleven. Later in the season the Sounders snagged Ramon Torres to take over at centerback. Torres last a few games before getting injured and now Scott has regained his position. Scott is a boomerang in the backfield. Whenever the Sounders try to get rid of him he just keeps coming back and I for one am fine with that.

Scott's game is always physical and it can be dirty. He often pulls and pushes opponent. Going up against the Sounders centerback opponent's striker know they are in for a long day full of bumps and bruises. Zach Scott plays right on the edge of getting a card and he does often pass the line and end up with a yellow, but his style is effective. He gets the job done.

As previously mentioned, Scott is the living embodiment of toughness. On the September 19th game against the White Caps the Sounders broadcast team filled us in on this little tidbit, Scott had been playing most of the season with a broken foot.. Yep, you read that right, Zach Scott Seattle Sounders defender has been playing the 2015 Major League Soccer season with a broken foot. During this season he has started 13 games and played in 17 games. That is some freaking toughness coupled with insanely high pain tolerance and possibly unwise medical practice.

A guy like Scott brings something to a team. He sets an example and inspires others to keep fighting. His on the field skills may not be the best, but they get the job done. I for one hope Zach Scott continues to overcome the odds and contribute effectively to the Sounders. A team without his toughness holding it all together just wouldn't be the same.