Kevin Forrest gets medal from Sounders FC

TUKWILA — Kevin Forrest might be a bit uncertain about his soccer future at present, but the Edmonds native and former UW player will always have something special from his past.

Sounders FC fans will remember Forrest for his game-winning goal at Starfire Sports Complex against the Colorado Rapids on May 26 that sent Seattle into the U.S. Open Cup tournament out of the play-in rounds. They'll also remember that Sounders FC went on to win the Open Cup — without Forrest, whom the team waived from its developmental roster in June.

Forrest found a place to play in Portland with the Timbers of the USL First Division, and was a key reserve in the Timbers' run to the USL-1 regular-season title. Forrest had hoped to play for a team consisting of Timbers players and locally based professionals against Sounders FC in a training game Friday. An Achilles injury relegated him to spectator status, but something good came out of the visit.

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid presented Forrest with one of the medals the players were given for winning the Open Cup, and the players will likely vote the 24-year-old a share of the prize money from winning the tournament.

"It's great to be a part of it," Forrest said. "It's better, probably, to be a part of the whole length of it [the tournament], but anything you can do. It was really nice. They didn't have to do that."

Forrest, a one-time Rapid, wants to get back to Major League Soccer but isn't sure where he'll play next season. The Timbers have a contract option to bring him back. Forrest said he enjoyed playing in Portland, but Forrest would want to return as a starter. He feels he needs to go to a team that will make him a starter to build up a résumé that will help him get back to MLS.

Forrest has been in contact with Sounders FC, and also is considering playing abroad.

"It's all kind of talk right now," Forrest said. "For me personally, games are what I need. Would I like to stay in Seattle? I love it here, it's home. But I wasn't touching the field. ... You're a practice player, and it's fun to be a part of it but if you're not getting into games that count, it's hard. Going to Portland, it's a lower league. But playing in front of 14,000 [to] 15,000 fans or traveling away to a place like Montreal and playing in some big games that count, it was really good experience for me."

At least Forrest has a memento of the U.S. Open Cup championship.

"He's a great person and he definitely deserves his medal," Sounders FC defender James Riley said. "He definitely scored an important goal."

Schmid agreed.

"It was nice that he was able to be here when the guys were around," Schmid said. "I thought it was great, and he's definitely a worthy recipient."