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Seattle Sounders: What Might Have Been for Steve Zakuani

By Paul Taylor

Jul 31, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Former Seattle Sounders player Steve Zakuani holds up the Golden Scarf before the start of a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at CenturyLink Field. Seattle tied Los Angeles 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Former Seattle Sounders player Steve Zakuani holds up the Golden Scarf before the start of a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at CenturyLink Field. Seattle tied Los Angeles 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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As Steve Zakuani calls time on his comeback attempts, the Seattle Sounders and their fans are left to wonder how things could have been so different for the talented winger.

As reported by soundersfc.com’s Ryan Krasnoo, Steve Zakuani will not be making a comeback to playing professional soccer this season. The Seattle Sounders 2009 first overall draft pick confirmed the news via Instagram.

Zukani had been working out with the Sounders’ first team since towards the end of 2016. However, after joining the squad for their preseason trip to Tucson, Arizona, he realized he wouldn’t be fit enough for the start of the 2017 season.

Understandably, there is a lot of regret surrounding the winger and what he could have achieved. Early on in his Sounders’ career, he provided a constant threat out wide, and looked more than capable of living up to his potential.

Zukani was particularly effective during the 2010 campaign. He tied for the team lead with 10 goals, added six assists and helped the Sounders retain the U.S. Open Cup.

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The 28-year old’s comeback attempt came after previously retiring towards the end of 2014. In truth, he had never been the same, after suffering a devastating leg injury early in 2011.

Zukani returned towards the end of the 2012 campaign. However, it was clear he had lost a lot of his pace and precision, which in turn affected his confidence.

The question is, where does the Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) native, go from here? Fortunately he’s in a good position, as he will return to working as a Sounders’ broadcast analyst, which he has done for the last two years.

Further, even though Zukani still feels he can made a comeback with more time to prepare, he seems to have accepted the reality. As he wrote on Instagram: “Everything I did in my career is etched in stone and I’ll always have the memories, but I’m happy to leave it in the past.

“I’ll continue to work on the TV side of things and be an ambassador for this great organisation. I am completely at peace with this decision and couldn’t be happier to support this team from the sidelines this year.”

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What are your abiding memories of Zakuani’s time with the Sounders? Do you believe he can still make a comeback at some point, or do you think his professional playing career is now over? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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