Clint Dempsey returns to training, should be available vs. FC Dallas

Clint Dempsey returned to training on Monday after missing Saturday's match against Sporting Kansas City to be with his wife surrounding the birth of their fourth child. The Seattle Sounders forward is expected to make his playing return this week against FC Dallas, but there will still likely be several starters missing.

In particular, the health status of Obafemi Martins (nose) and Chad Barrett (hamstring) is still in doubt and Brad Evans' availability following Wednesday's United States friendly against Germany is also unknown.

"Oba gets the splint off today, so we'll see how he is tomorrow," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters. "Clint was obviously out here today, so he should be fine for this weekend. And then with all the other guys, we'll see. We'll see how many minutes Evans plays on Wednesday, and then he gets back on Thursday, and we'll see how he feels."

The Sounders will also be getting back Osvaldo Alonso, who missed Saturday's game on a suspension. There's a possibility that the MLS Disciplinary Committee could take action against Stefan Frei -- who appeared to bump referee Ismail Elfath while disputing the game-deciding penalty -- but the Sounders are at least hopeful that won't happen.

"It's really hard to tell if he made contact," Schmid said. "I would be disappointed if they looked into that."