REPORT: Nashville SC to trade for Handwalla Bwana

UPDATE OCT 19, 8:37 AM: The Washington Post‘s Steven Goff has reported that Nashville will send left-back/winger Jimmy Medranda plus cash to Seattle.

UPDATE OCT 19, 6:58 AM: Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer confirmed last night that Bwana is indeed being traded to Nashville.

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The confirmation that Nashville are sending a left-footed attacker in return is especially interesting. This narrows it down to a very small number of potential options.

Dom Badji and Derrick Jones are both left footed (whether or not Derrick Jones is technically an attacker is up for debate), but both have played pretty large roles for Nashville and it would be surprising to see either traded, especially since Badji is likely out for another couple weeks.

Initially, Jimmy Medranda seems like the most likely option. The winger/left-back/midfielder has played just 14 minutes this season, all in a single appearance off the bench against Portland back in March. Injury issues have plagued him throughout his career, and have limited his time on the pitch for Nashville in 2020. Trading for Bwana would at least give Nashville a more consistently healthy option.

It should be noted that this is not a guarantee of who Nashville will trade. Schmetzer’s comments narrow the options down to a very short list, though, and Medranda makes a lot of sense.

We’ll have more on this transfer when it’s officially announced.

TRANSFER TRACKER TIER: REPORT

Nashville SC are set to add more attacking talent. According to a report from The Washington Post‘s Steven Goff, Nashville will acquire Handwalla Bwana from Seattle Sounders.

Bwana, 21, came through the Sounders academy system, spending time with Tacoma Defiance, their USL affiliate, as well as with the first team. Primarily a left winger, Bwana is also capable of playing on the right or behind the striker. He’s scored four goals and assisted three in just 1,456 minutes with the Sounders, a solid return of 0.46 g+a per 96.

Bwana has spent all of the 2020 season with the Sounders, playing in six matches and named to the bench another five times.

Bwana was born in Somalia, the son of a former professional player. After spending several years in a refugee camp in Kenya, his family relocated to the United States in 2010, eventually settling in Seattle.

Bwana’s potential is evident, and could inject a spark into a Nashville attack that has struggled. The Sounders have plenty of depth on the wings, and finding consistent minutes in Seattle is a struggle. For him, a change of scenery could boost his career. For Nashville, Bwana could inject a spark of unpredictability into the attack.

Author: Ben Wrightis the Director of Soccer Content and a Senior MLS Contributor for Broadway Sports covering Nashville SC and the US National Team. Previously Ben was the editor and a founder of Speedway Soccer, where he has covered Nashville SC and their time in USL before journeying to Major League Soccer since 2018. Raised in Louisville, KY Ben grew up playing before a knee injury ended his competitive career. When he is not talking soccer he is probably producing music, drinking coffee or hanging out with his wife and kids. Mastodon

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