A fairly significant figure was at today's Seattle Sounders Reserve loss to the LA Galaxy. Landon Donovan was hoping to see Steve Zakuani back on the pitch. Aren't we all? Zakuani responded over twitter with an exciting next step in his journey to return to MLS play.

@landondonovan yeah, just need the match fitness. I'll play down there next week vs Chivas reserves! Congrats on the goal & win

— Steve Zakuani (@stevezakuani11) April 17, 2012

Chivas USA sits at 1-0-0 to Seattle's 0-2-1 in Reserve action, but next Monday's game just got a lot more attention. National writers may even be scheduling flights into LAX just for this event. As Ezra Hendrickson says, Reserve games aren't about wins and losses, but about helping players develop for the First Team. A huge addition is getting a step closer on Monday. How much playing time he'll get won't be answered for a few days, but it will not matter to Sounders faithful who have been waiting for his return.

The next Sounders Reserves home game is not until June 1st against the Vancouver Whitecaps.