Sounders

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So psych about my trade to Seattle. Preciate all the welcome n shout out. Can’t wait (Bart Scott voice)

— Shalrie Joseph(@ShalrieJoseph21) February 19, 2013

Sounders FC has acquired midfielder/defender Shalrie Joseph in a trade with Chivas USA on Tuesday. Here is the news release.

Joseph, 34, will be a designated player for the Sounders.

Seattle also gets to swap spots in the allocation order with Chivas USA (Sounders go up to No. 3 and give up No. 15) and get second-round draft picks in 2014 and 2015.

Essentially, the Sounders take a big hit to the salary cap and lose a DP slot, but gain a former All-Star, a better order in the allocation process and two picks.

“We’re happy to add a player of Shalrie’s experience to our team,” said coach Sigi Schmid in the release. “He’s been to MLS Cups before in his tenure with New England. He’s a player that has proven himself to be a leader in game situations and a player of his quality can only help us be a better team as we move into this season. ”

Joseph will join the team Wednesday in Tucson.

More reaction to the move from GM Adrian Hanauer in a new post.

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The Sounders have acquired midfielder/defender Shalrie Joseph in a trade with Chivas USA, according to a report from Soccer By Ives.

Joseph, 34, was a surprise visitor at Sounders FC training earlier this month, but after a two-day stint, coach Sigi Schmid said he didn’t expect a deal would get done.

I expect a formal announcement could be coming soon.

Joseph had glowing words about the Sounders after his first day with the team a couple weeks ago.

In other interesting notes, Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson tweeted Tuesday that the team has signed Mikael Silvestre. Expect the Sounders to receive compensation for the deal since Seattle was first to place a discovery claim on the defender. Also, The Washington Post has indicated the Sounders could be interested in Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins.

@shalriejoseph21 welcome to the North Pacific breddrin can’t wait to have you here in Seattle.

— Eddie Johnson (@eddie_johnson7) February 19, 2013