Fredy Montero Looks Unlikely To Play For Seattle Sounders Vs. Chicago Fire

Training was closed to reporters Thursday, so we're left to guess about Fredy Montero's availability for Saturday's game against the Chicago Fire. From coach Sigi Schmid's comments, though, I wouldn't expect to see the Seattle Sounders Designated Player suit up.

"The chance of him playing on Saturday is unlikely at this stage because there is still some swelling in there," Schmid said. "They want to make sure that there is still no infection into the wound. He’s able to do some light stuff and we had him out here doing a little bit of stuff before but right now unless there is a miraculous change tomorrow it doesn’t look likely."

This almost certainly means we'll see a reprise of Mauro Rosales' filling in as the withdrawn forward. I'd say anyone who thinks this is the better situation is crazy, but Rosales did look very good agains the San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday. As a story I wrote earlier details, Rosales was the Sounders' most effective player, creating a team-high five scoring chances and registered his first assist.

Rosales admitted to being a bit winded in the second half, but there's no question that he's capable of at least contributing in spurts. He's obviously got quite a bit of speed, has great vision and possesses a solid shot. Seeing him play at least one more week is hardly the end of the world.

It also looks like Erik Friberg is going to start again, as Schmid said his apparently preferred right midfielder is looking a lot healthier and is pretty much recovered from the flu that limited him to a half last week. Going forward, Schmid seems to think Friberg and Brad Evans could form an interesting partnership.

"I think there will be a relationship that will develop between those two where they become pretty interchangeable," Schmid said. "The more they understand each other and when to do that, the more dangerous they become."