Earlier this year the Sounders confirmed that they renewed a partnership with J League side Vissel Kobe right on time for their 30th anniversary of their initial partnership and now it's starting to bear fruit. As it was confirmed earlier that 18-year old defender Kaito Yamada will be on loan to the Tacoma Defiance for 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. Further bolstering the Defiance defense even further after the signing of Mo Shour, Leo Burney and Travian Sousa.
Even in Yamada's young career he has shown great promise so far. To say he's merely played for Vissel Kobe U18's would be a understatement. He was a starter for them in 2023 and 2024 playing 1,890 minutes in 2023 and 1,874 minutes in 2024. And for a young defender he's developing a scoring ability meaning he's looking to develop himself into a dynamic player. With him getting 3 goals over his 2 years as U18 starter for Vissel Kobe. Improving in this aseptic scoring both 2 out of his 3 career goals and getting his only ever assist last year too.
As for the partnership this is a minor addition in the grand scheme of things but this is only the beginning of a partnership that should bring much more. Through things like friendlies facing each other, joint youth camps and also joint charitable events. Lao Tzu once said that “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” And that single step for our partnership begins with Kaito Yamada. A interesting thing to note about this partnership is a very big door it could open for the Sounders. As in 2023 Vissel Kobe became partners with 1 of the Premier League's up and coming contenders Aston Villa. And perhaps a partnership with them could mean a partnership with Villa in the future. Or at least some benefits like loans or a friendly in Britain maybe even a aging star coming state side to the Emerald City. We'll wait and see of course but either way thanks a bunch for reading!