They're almost all fan favorites in Seattle. But one of their local heroes is sticking around a bit longer.
Midfielder Lamar Neagle has signed a contract extension with the Seattle Sounders, the club announced on Monday. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms were not disclosed.
The native of suburban Federal Way, Wash., had a breakout season in 2013 for his hometown team, scoring eight goals – tied with Obafemi Martins for second on the roster – and also bagged four assists and four game-winning goals.
With leading scorer Eddie Johnson dealt to D.C. United last month, more of the offensive load will likely fall on the 26-year-old Neagle in 2014.
"Lamar has a tremendous work capacity and has proven to be a threat in our attack," Sounders sporting director Chris Henderson said in a statement. "Lamar has grown up here in the Pacific Northwest and is a hometown favorite. He is a leader in our community and a great teammate."
Neagle was also named the 2013 Sounders Humanitarian of the Year and MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Month for August 2013 thanks to his charity work around the Seattle area.
Prior to joining the club in 2013, he had successful stints with the club in 2009 and 2011, scoring five goals with two assists in 23 appearances.
He spent the 2012 season with the expansion Montreal Impact where he scored two goals with two assists in 23 appearances. Overall, he has made 76 career appearances in four MLS seasons, scoring 15 goals with eight assists.
In 2010, Neagle earned Golden Boot and MVP honors in USSF D-2 for the Charleston Battery, and played five matches for Finland's IFK Mariehamn, scoring two goals. He was a three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation first team selection while at UNLV, and played locally for Federal Way's Thomas Jefferson High School.
