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Among the many challenges MLS teams face in the CONCACAF Champions League is dealing with a schedule that means some of the most important games are played before players are fully fit. That will be frustratingly illustrated when the Seattle Sounders starting lineup is revealed for Thursday’s match against Santa Tecla.
Our very own Niko Moreno has learned that Clint Dempsey and Victor Rodriguez were among the players who were deemed unable to travel for the match. Moreno had previously learned that Roman Torres, Kelvin Leerdam, and Osvaldo Alonso were also unavailable. The status of Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who has reportedly been dealing with a visa issue, is unknown.
Esta mañana nos enteramos que Víctor Rodríguez y Clint Dempsey no viajaron con Sounders FC para el partido ante Santa Tecla FC. Estas bajas se añaden a las de Román Torres, Kelvin Leerdam y Osvaldo Alonso, la profundidad del equipo será probada está noche.
— Niko Moreno (@ELROLONW) February 22, 2018
Although images from Wednesday revealed that the likes of Gustav Svensson and Nouhou did travel, it seems likely that the Sounders will use a lineup similar to the one that closed out the preseason against the Sacramento Republic. Jordan McCrary, Tony Alfaro, Jordy Delem, and Henry Wingo were among the less experienced players who got the nod that day.