This was where Marcus Hahnemann began his career in 1994 and now this where he will end his career. Earlier this afternoon, the Seattle Sounders traded a conditional draft pick to Toronto FC for their allocation slot to get the veteran goalkeeper. Hahnemann joins the Sounders for the rest of the 2012 season with an option for 2013, although I doubt that will be picked up. My guess is this will be his final year as a professional soccer player. There were some questions in the past about whether or not the Sounders were going to pick him up when Kasey Keller retired. Most of the folks were expecting him to join the team as the new starting goalkeeper, but then the Sounders picked up Michael Gspurning. So then earlier today, Hahnemann signs an MLS contract and the Sounders picked him up through Allocation.
After four seasons at Seattle Pacific University, Hahnemann joined the Seattle Sounders in 1994 when they were playing in the A-League. In 1995 and 96, Hahnemann led the Sounders to back to back A-League titles and was named A-League MVP in 95'. After that he joined the Colorado Rapids and led them to the MLS Cup final in 1997 only to lose to D.C. United. He made 66 Appearances for the Rapids from 1997-99 and he still holds the team record with 39 wins for the Rapids. In 99', Hahnemann moved to Fulham in an 88,000 pound transfer from Colorado, which I think is $129,784 in American money. However, he couldn't break into the first team and after five appearances on loan with Rochdale, Hahnemann joined Reading in 2002 and became their starter through 2009. In the 2005-2006 season, he helped Reading win promotion to the English Premier League. It was the first time in club history that Reading reached the top flight of English football. He made 282 appearances for Reading and after they were relegated to second division football in 2009, Hahnemann joined Wolverhampton Wanderers who were promoted to the Premier League for 2009-10. He was originally the backup to Wayne Hennessey, but after Hennessey conceded four goals in two consecutive matches, Hahnemann took over as the starter and helped lead Wolves to 15th place which was good enough to keep them up. The following year, he struggled and lost his job after 15 appearances in 2010-11. He spent the 2011-12 season with Everton, but did not make a single appearance for them. Hahnemann has also capped nine times for the U.S. national team, and was on their squad during their CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship run in 05'. He was also on their squad for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Thoughts on this move:
Well, it's great to see he's ending his career in his hometown. Apparently the Sounders needed a backup goalkeeper to rely on in case Michael Gspurning for some reason gets injured again. Bryan Meredith had his struggles, Andrew Weber did ok but he's not that great and I don't think Josh Ford is ready for this level. So bringing in Hahnemann as a backup was a pretty good move by the front office.
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