Tacoma Defiance made their youngest-ever signing on Thursday. Reed Baker-Whiting, 15, made substitute appearances in both of Tacoma’s games since their return to action following COVID-19 caused hiatus. Baker-Whiting’s signing brings the Defiance roster to 16 signed players.
At only 15 years and 3 months, Baker-Whiting already has an impressive amount of experience. Baker-Whiting is a member of the first cohort to play all three years, from U-12 to U-14, in the Sounders Discovery Program — a program intended to provide younger players with high-level training and tournament experience before joining the organization’s youngest full-time age group with the U-15s — and has competed and had success in tournaments like the Youdan Trophy, the Manchester City Cup, and the Generation Adidas Cup.