TUKWILA, Wash. — Craig Waibel took over as the Seattle Sounders’ third-ever MLS-era general manager about three months ago. Although he had previously served as the team’s sporting director and as such played a significant role in the current roster build, he has put his fingerprints on the team in ways that fans don’t usually see.
Most of Waibel’s work has been done behind the scenes, attempting to rebuild an office culture that took a hit during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic that led to the Sounders going 100% remote.
One of the biggest aspects of Waibel’s directive has been encouraging more in-person interaction beyond scheduled meetings.