The Sounders announced on Tuesday morning that Yu Tsukanome has been loaned out to USL Championship side Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Japanese forward’s loan to Pittsburgh will be valid throughout the 2026 USL Championship season.
Tsukanome, 25, signed for the Sounders first team ahead of the 2026 season, and therefore, the loan will open an international roster spot.
The move comes almost two weeks after the Sounders traded the it’s final two available 2026 international roster spots, cumulatively acquiring $500k in General Allocation Money (GAM) from Atlanta United and Sporting Kansas City.
Prior to 2026, Tsukanome played two seasons for the Tacoma Defiance, where he particularly shined in the 2025 season after scoring 21 goals in 31 appearances. In 2026, Tsukanome scored 5 goals in 10 games for the second team. Since he signed for the first team, Tsukanome did not make a competitive appearance, and his Rave Green debut will be on hold until at least 2027.
Cover Photo (Original): Ruben Becerril Geiger / House of Sounders
