Demian Alvarez Drafted by the Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders selected Demian Alvarez, two year Ballard FC defender, with the 58th overall pick in Friday’s MLS SuperDraft.

Alvarez graduated from Lindbergh Senior High School in Renton, playing for the school’s soccer team as well as playing club with PACNW. Alvarez’s play earned him a place on Seattle Pacific University’s (SPU) soccer team where he would have instant success. In his freshman year, Alvarez played in 18 matches and made 12 starts as SPU won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship and made the NCAA tournament. Alvarez would go on to have an even better sophomore year, making 17 starts and being selected by the Division II Conference Commisioner’s Association (D2CCA) as Second Team All-West Region as well as receiving First Team All-GNAC honors.

Alvarez’s two seasons at SPU earned him a spot on the 2023 Ballard FC roster where he would keep shining at Interbay Stadium. Alvarez played in 15 matches across all competitions, making 10 starts as he helped the club win its first division title, conference championship, and national championship. Alvarez began the season primarily as a substitute, with his first four appearances coming from the bench. However Alvarez quickly made himself indispensable, starting in the final seven matches of the season, including all five playoff matches. Alvarez’s importance was in large part due to his versatility, starting at both center-back and defensive midfielder throughout the playoffs and even occasionally playing outside back. In the national championship match, Alvarez started at center-back alongside Leo Burney. Now, the two will be teammates with Sounders FC after Burney signed a homegrown contract earlier this month.

After winning the national championship with Ballard FC, Alvarez transferred to Seattle University and continued writing his Seattle soccer story. In his first season at Championship Field, Alvarez appeared in 19 matches, starting all of them and playing in all but seven minutes. He helped lead a backline that had five shutouts enroute to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Regular Season Championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance. Alvarez’s efforts earned him Second Team All-WAC honors.

The 2024 Ballard FC season started early for Alvarez as he played the full 90 minutes in the club’s U.S Open Cup debut against Spokane Velocity. He then played another 13 matches in the regular season, making 11 starts as he helped the club win its second straight division championship. Alvarez’s versatility was put to the test once again in 2024 as he made five starts at center-back, four starts at left-back, and two starts at right-back.

After another successful summer with Ballard FC, Alvarez had a fourth and final collegiate season full of accolades. After winning the regular season title in 2023, Alvarez helped Seattle University win the WAC Tournament Title this fall, clinching a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Alvarez was named WAC Defender of the Year, and also received First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference.

From SPU, to Ballard FC, to Seattle U, to the Sounders. Alvarez is a true Seattle Soccer success story. He leaves Ballard FC as a club legend, winning four titles. Alvarez played in 29 matches across two seasons, making 22 starts. In those 29 matches, Ballard FC kept 11 clean sheets, had a 21-6-2 (W-L-T) record, and a + 56 goal differential.

Reflecting on his career and time with Ballard FC, Alvarez said “My whole life I’ve been an underdog and had to put in extra work to be where I am. Ballard FC helped me with that process by bringing my name to light, and providing a really professional environment.”

James Riley, Ballard FC head coach, had this to say about the Sounders drafting Alvarez, “I’m thrilled for Demian. As a local talent, he has demonstrated remarkable growth and built an impressive body of work he can truly be proud of. It was a privilege to watch him develop at SPU and Seattle University, two outstanding programs that produce exceptional players and individuals. We’re excited for his future and grateful for the impact he made during his time with us at Ballard FC. We look forward to cheering him on and supporting him as he embarks on this next chapter of his journey.”

This December, two Ballard FC players, Burney and Alvarez, have joined the Seattle Sounders. This is not the only connection between the two clubs. Former Sounder and current Sounders TV broadcast member, Lamar Neagle, is one of three Ballard FC co-founders. Jason Farrell, a member of the Sounders inaugural team, was Ballard FC’s head coach for two seasons. Farrell was then replaced by current head coach James Riley, who won three U.S. Open Cups with the Sounders. Ballard FC is proud of the organizational connection to the Sounders, and hopes to see it continue to grow.

Ballard FC is very proud to be part of Demian’s incredible soccer journey, and we are excited to watch and support Demian in his professional career. Keep tabs on Demian and other Ballard FC players who have made it to professional soccer with our alumni page.