The Sounders announced the departure of academy product and Reed Baker-Whiting, who will join Nashville on a transfer, for which the club received $800k plus up to an additional $300k in performance-based add-ons.
The 20-year old departs Seattle after five seasons with the first team with several years at the academy level, joining the Sounders Discovery Program in 2016 and made the Sounders U12 squad a year later.
Reed Baker-Whiting is a very versatile player; he could play fullback, wingback, midfield, and winger, and he typically took a more defensive role for the team despite preferring to play higher up the field.
For the first team, Reed made 22 starts in 65 league appearances and scored a long-distance goal in the US Open Cup in the 101st minute vs San Diego Loyal, where the Sounders won 5-4 in extra time.
Photo courtesy of Area Sports Network
In MLS NEXT Pro, Baker-Whiting made 13 starts in 15 appearances for the Tacoma Defiance and scored two goals.
In the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Brian Schmetzer started Reed against Atlético Madrid and kept him on for the full match. Baker-Whiting also played the second half of the Botafogo game.
Many supporters were surprised that this move happened, especially at Reed’s younger age and given the potential he has as an effective player in the long term. However, this move to Nashville may provide Reed Baker-Whiting a sooner and more promising opportunity to play with a higher squad role in MLS.
Cover photo courtesy of Area Sports Network
