Josh Atencio

HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as a Homegrown Player on June 15, 2020.

Atencio is a long, smooth athlete who can play as a defensive midfielder or center back. He helped Seattle win two Generation adidas Cup titles and the USSDA National Championship in 2018. He will look to develop as a professional in 2020.

• SoundersFC.com: Atencio's profile

INTERNATIONAL: The Bellevue native has been capped by the U.S. U-15 and U-17 Youth National Teams.

OUTSIDE MLS: Atencio, 18, joined the Academy in 2016 and has participated in preseason with the First Team every year since 2017. He started 26 of 29 appearances over three seasons with Tacoma Defiance, recording two goals and one assist across 2,340 minutes. After signing a USL contract prior to last season, Atencio started 23 of his 25 appearances with recording one goal and one assist. In 2020, he played the full 90 minutes in both of his appearances and totaled two shots. Atencio made his professional debut on August 19, 2018, against Portland Timbers 2 and scored a goal shortly after entering the match as a substitute.