Sounders injury update: Kelvin Leerdam returns to training

Kelvin Leerdam is on pace to at least be available for Tuesday’s Western Conference semifinal against FC Dallas. The right back, who missed the First Round game against Los Angeles FC with a hamstring injury, was able to return to training on Friday.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll start, however. Alex Roldan had another strong performance in place of Leerdam, leading the Sounders with four key passes, five tackles, three clearances and nine recoveries. Beyond the numbers, he also looked confident throughout, calmly handling pressure and never looking out of place.

“Tonight was a big game for the club and (Alex Roldan) performed over and above my expectations,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said afterward. “That’s how I feel. He’s a tremendous young player, lives in the shadow of his brother and tonight I don’t think you’d say that. He’s a very good, capable right back in MLS.”

If Roldan is given another start, Schmetzer’s lineup will likely look the same as it did against LAFC. The other notable absences were Gustav Svensson and Xavier Arreaga, neither of whom have yet to be cleared to resume training.

Svensson was not medically cleared to participate in last Tuesday’s game, a status that remains unchanged. Arreaga has not yet completed his nine-day quarantine, which would potentially end on Saturday as long as he’s been testing negative for Covid-19. The Sounders did announce that one first-team player had tested positive, but have not revealed who that was in accordance to an agreement with the MLS Players Association.