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2017 Dossier: Chad Barrett

This MLS vet brings a ton of experience to Salt Lake, but what else does he have to offer?

By Ryan Sanders
MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Real Salt Lake Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Player name: Chad Barrett

Position: Center forward

Last club: San Jose Earthquakes

One thing you need to know

Barrett is a forward who has proven he can score. While he has primarily served as a bench player used as a mid-to-late game substitute over the last several years, he’s notched 58 goals in regular season play — three of which have come against RSL.

What he brings to the team

While RSL has an obvious starter at target forward in Yura Movsisyan, Barrett will provide a solid and reliable backup to come off the bench, which is a position that we’ve struggled to find a good second-string for over the last few years.

Not only is he a valuable scoring option, Barrett is an MLS veteran entering his 13th season, and will bring a certain amount of leadership and experience both on the field and in the locker room. He’s spent time with six other MLS teams — Chicago, Toronto, LA, New England, Seattle, and San Jose.

He’s certain to see maybe a handful of starts over the course of the season as well should Yura go down with injury (knock on wood), or when coach Cassar needs to rest some legs when games come fast and furious, especially in the summer when Open Cup starts.

Why you should be excited

We should be excited, simply, because he is excited. Turning 32 this year, Barrett doesn’t show any signs of slowing down or losing any love for the game. He’s been vocal about his excitement in coming to Salt Lake and seems to have found some immediate chemistry in preseason, most recently scoring the game-winning goal in RSL’s last scrimmage against Alashkert FC.

He’s no stranger to silverware, either — boasting an MLS Cup Championship with LA, two Open Cup titles with Chicago and Seattle, two Canadian Championship titles with Toronto, and a Supporters Shield with Seattle to top it all off.

A veteran attacking option with the pedigree and experience of Chad Barrett is something we can all look forward to.

Predictions for 2017

  • He’ll score at least five goals in the regular season, at least two of them coming as late game-winners.
  • He’ll quickly become the go-to “super sub” that fans get excited about, a la Robbie Findley in 2009-2010.
  • He will start at least eight games in all competitions.

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