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Emotions were clearly high following the Seattle Sounders’ first-ever Western Conference championship, but there was at least one dark cloud hanging over them: the health of Osvaldo Alonso.
Although the Sounders midfielder was feeling well enough to hoist the trophy and was walking without a limp during the celebration, he was forced to leave the match around the 75th minute with what was called a “slight knee sprain.”
Alonso suffered the injury about 10 minutes earlier when Dillon Powers went in for a hard tackle near the sideline. Alonso appeared to be in significant discomfort, but was able to stay on the field. He never looked fully recovered, though, and was pulled as soon as Oniel Fisher was warmed up and ready to enter.
Alonso’s status is sure to be a hot topic in the next couple weeks. Alonso has enjoyed a renaissance season, leading MLS in passing percentage while still being one of the most active and effective defensive midfielders in the league. The Sounders went 0-2 this year and are 2-9-2 in the last two seasons in games Alonso misses.