Nate Jaqua, Brad Evans, Steve Zakuani All Train With Sounders

by Jeremiah Oshan on Mar 23, 2011 1:33 AM PDT in Sounders: MLS Regular Season

Nate Jaqua made just three MLS starts last season while recovering from a groin injury. He appears to be close to returning from a similar injury this year. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Nate Jaqua, Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans all fully participated in training with the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday, improving chances that the trio could be ready to return to action on Friday. As is usually the case, players nearing a return to the lineup train hard early in the week to see how they react. If there are no setbacks, all three could be in the lineup against the Houston Dynamo.

Of the three, only Zakuani has appeared in a game this season. The left winger started in the Sounders' season opener, playing 84 minutes against the LA Galaxy despite suffering a groin strain less than a week earlier. After that game, though, he was not even healthy enough to travel for the second game against the New York Red Bulls.

Jaqua missed the first half of last season while recovering from a groin injury, and has been battling a similar injury throughout preseason. In light of Blaise Nkufo's sudden departure, Jaqua's return has been especially anticipated.

"Nate in his one full year where he played the full year in 2009 had career-highs in goals and assists," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said at Tuesday's training session. "Last year when we probably pushed too many minutes on him right through our Open Cup streak and so forth in that period of time he scored four goals in five Open Cup games, I think it was. He’s shown an ability where he’s a more mature player. He’s an improved player over what he was when he was a younger player in the league with Chicago and went from L.A. back to Houston and so forth. He’s a guy we feel can score goals. He’s a guy that we feel is a good compliment to what Fredy Montero brings. He’s a guy who can get on the end of crosses and bring a little bit of that size element to us up front."

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"Nate in his one full year where he played the full year in 2009 had career-highs in goals and assists"

You don’t say…

by TheTank123 on Mar 23, 2011 9:49 AM PDT reply actions

He has had the most success with the Sounders

But he did play for the Chicago Fire for 4 years and scored 20+ goals, the Gals and Dynamo in 2007 with 8 goals combined and played over in Austria or Germany in 2008. Prior to playing with the Houston side also in 2008 and eventually Seattle in 09 after being drafted in the expansion draft.

But then you knew that already, Tank.

Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum

by chrisso on Mar 23, 2011 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

The question is whether he can stay healthy

Experience to this point tells us this is a worthwhile question to be asking. Quit being argumentative.

Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum

by Seattle Coug on Mar 23, 2011 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Jesus, relax.

It was humorous to me, nothing more.

by TheTank123 on Mar 23, 2011 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Sorry gentlemen, I misread the Tank's comment

I like Nate. He is a good guy and he has a knack for stuffing goals in when they are in the air or pinballing in the six. Help we could have used in both of our first two games. I agree that a healthy Nate is a good thing. Lets hope he is mended and ready for a 32+ game stretch.

Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum

by chrisso on Mar 23, 2011 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I really enjoy Sigi's comments

He uses more words than anyone else to say almost absolutely nothing.

Nos audietis in somniis
Nos audietis in altum

by Seattle Coug on Mar 23, 2011 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Nate is the missing piece to our success...

period.

by Pauly "Pablo" Morris on Mar 23, 2011 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

I'm really hoping

this will be the case.

by Scott Brandt on Mar 23, 2011 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Does Jaqua make us a Supporters Cup contender?

Probably not. Does he help convert some of those chances into goals? Sure.

I guess it all depends on your definition of success. I personally don’t think the return of Jaqua will put us back into the conversation as one of the best teams in the league (e.g. RSL, LA Galaxy and NYRB). I do think we’ll need him back and healthy to make the playoffs for a 3rd straight year.

by Dizzo on Mar 23, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Not sure about any one particular player making us a SS contender...

…but I think Jaqua adds more than just converting chances to goals. My impression has been that Keller’s punts almost always go towards Jaqua, so his success at winning those headers becomes key for the Sounders maintaining possession. The last couple of games, I have been trying to pay attention to where Keller sends the ball forward, and it seems like we haven’t been doing a good job winning possession off his punts.

by ubelmann on Mar 23, 2011 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions