Michael Gspurning may not play against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, but the fact that he's travelling has to be seen as good news for the Seattle Sounders. The Austrian goalkeeper has missed the Sounders' last 15 games -- including four in the U.S. Open Cup -- and says he's finally ready to get back onto the pitch.

"I feel healthy otherwise I wouldn’t train with the team," Gspurning said following Thursday's session. "I trust the body, I trust the hip. This is very important. Now it’s just to get as many practices at possible to get the feeling for games. I feel ready."

It surely wasn't due entirely to Gspurning's absence, but the Sounders defense sure did seem to miss the big guy. After allowing just three goals in his seven MLS starts, the Sounders have allowed 16 goals in the 12 games since.

Having him back against the Red Bulls, a team that is expected to have Thierry Henry back and already boasts attacking talent like Kenny Cooper and Dane Richards would be nice, but also might be rushing a bit. At the very least we can find some comfort in knowing he will almost certainly be available for the game against the Colorado Rapids on July 28.