Defiance further bolsters the Sounders youth ranks by signing former USL1 Young Player of Year: Jackson Khoury!

The Sounders have had a scoring and creating goals problem after the tragic injuries the now cut Raul Ruidiaz suffered that cut his time at the Sounders short. And most fans want us to find a better younger pieces to bolster our attack, but what about developing one? Jackson Khoury has taken the long way through the ranks of international soccer. Starting as a semi pro with the Sydney United team and was even named a breakout star in the National Premier League NSW in July 2021. Even showing his clutch gene by scoring in the grand final against Rockdale Ilinden in October 2020 helping them win 4-3. He moved up the ranks being signed by Central Coast Mariners Academy, who played in NSW League One, in 2022. Where he kept up his constant improvements and even appeared again in the grand final. But this time lost He played in the 2–1 Grand Final defeat to St George City at the Sydney United Sports Centre on 3 September 2022. Despite the loss, the Mariners were promoted to the National Premier Leagues.

But now after all his great work in the lower ranks of his native Australia he began his journey in the lower leagues of America. In February 2023, Khoury signed a two-year contract, with an option to extend for a year, for American club Tormenta FC in the USL League One. Where his star shined again in 2023 as he scored 7 and assisted 6 times in over 2,000 minutes of play to win young player of the year. and, subsequently, Tormenta's Newcomer of the Year Award in December 2023. 2024 was more of a struggle however, in 21 games and in 1,102 minutes of play he only had 1 total goal contribution with a assists. But more notably the Australian born Khoury made his international debut for Lebanon due to his father's heritage. Making his debut in a blowout loss against Australia in the WC 2026 qualifiers.

Despite his 2024 struggles that 2023 Khoury is still around, full of pace and the strong will to become better. So it wouldn't surprise me if he had a even better season with the Defiance and maybe even in a few years the Sounders. And become the next great underdog story in the world of soccer. Thanks a bunch for reading!