Yu Tsukanome

25-Year-Old ForwardF

Seattle Sounders FC

MLS

DOB 12/21/2000

Signs first team contract

FSeattle Sounders FC

January 13, 2026

Tsukanome signed a first team contract with Seattle from Tacoma Defiance for the 2026 season with club options through 2027 and 2028, the club announced. "Yu is coming off a record-breaking season with Tacoma Defiance where he showed not only elite production but the mentality and consistency that define a Sounder," said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel.

ANALYSIS
Tsukanome earned the move after a record-setting 2025 with Tacoma Defiance and he now projects as a direct scoring option for Seattle in 2026. His pathway suggests the club trusts his week to week consistency and his ability to translate MLS NEXT Pro production into First Team minutes. The next evaluation point will be how quickly he adapts to tighter defensive windows and whether his off ball work can keep him on the field when goals are not immediately coming.