Less than 48 hours before the Sounders and Colorado Rapids play leg two of the Western Conference Finals, head coach Brian Schmetzer indicated his team has no serious injury concerns.
The Sounders will be traveling with 21 players — three more than can actually suit up — and all will be available for selection in the Sounders’ bid to make their first ever MLS Cup Final.
Schmetzer also mentions in the video that they weren't sure about the status of Jordan Morris until he woke up the day of the previous game. They also weren’t sure how he would react and how healthy he really was after the last couple of training sessions.
So it sounds like it was a good thing that the game was played on Tuesday and not Sunday as it would have been more of a dramatic decision as Schmetzer mentions.
Although Clint Dempsey won’t be one of those 21 traveling players, he did make a somewhat surprising appearance at Friday’s training session. There doesn’t appear to be any indication that the Sounders are inclined to make any sort of announcement on his future before the new year, but this seemed to be a good sign regardless.
I see you Deuce!!! ✌ .@clint_dempsey #Sounders #MLSPlayoffs @LaAficionNW @SomosSounders @ElRey1360 pic.twitter.com/PAjjl2B8Cf
— Carolina Antipolo ⚽ (@Carito_003) November 25, 2016
I should reiterate that Dempsey was “AT” training and not training.
Schmetzer was asked if there was anything significant about having Clint at training and he said: “it puts a smile on everyone’s face”. I can’t argue that point. It surely made me smile seeing that he was out there jogging around and interacting with the supporters.