Instant MLS impression a promising sign for Brad Smith

Brad Smith played just over four hours of football for Bournemouth last season.

But it took 73 minutes for the Caltex Socceroos fullback to claim accord with new club Seattle Sounders after an impressive Major League Soccer debut yesterday.

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Seattle's 2-1 win over Western Conference leaders FC Dallas makes for encouraging reading for a player who has been riddled with injury since trading Anfield for Dean Court in 2016.

A loan move across the transatlantic sea may offer an ideal remedy for Smith’s fitness struggles as he prepares to book a place in the Caltex Socceroos' 2019 AFC Asian Cup squad.

The ex-Liverpool flyer’s waspish attacking intent and diligence up and down the flank resulted in a striking first impression for the Sounders faithful, who greeted his substitution on 73 minutes with warm applause.

“I didn’t expect it to be honest,” Smith said following his debut.

“I was happy to play in front of them and they gave me a great reception when I came off. I’m looking forward to the next game now and I’m happy to get a win.

“I feel good - at the end I did a cross and I felt a little pinch, so I sat down, but I’ll be fine by next game.”

Up next for Smith is a meeting with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's LA Galaxy, who will arrive at CenturyLink Field on Sunday morning (6AM AEST).

The Sounders currently lie eighth on the Western Conference ladder and have ground to make up in their play-offs challenge as the MLS season approaches its final third.

But with Brian Schmetzer’s side on a five-match winning streak, it appears the tide is turning for the 2017 MLS Cup finalists.

Seattle have not finished lower than fourth in the conference standings in their nine-year history, and Smith’s arrival is another bonus that is emerging ahead of the run-in.

“He’s got good speed and crossing ability. He’s an attack-minded player. I thought, overall, he was enthusiastic to play,” said Schmetzer.

“He hadn’t played a lot of games in the last couple years and you could tell he was happy to be on the pitch. We were overall very pleased.

"We’ll watch the film and try to get him acclimated a little bit more with the players he’s playing with. We’ll get him up to speed, he was very good.”

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This article was originally published on the Socceroos website.
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