Raúl Ruidíaz expected to rejoin Sounders this week

TUKWILA, Wash. — Raúl Ruidíaz continues to rehab in Peru after suffering an injury while on international duty, but is expected to return to Seattle by Thursday, according to Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer.

“He’s getting treatment with Peruvian federation,” Schmetzer said following Tuesday’s training session. “That was the deal we made with Raúl. He’s getting some treatment there, we’ll see him on Thursday.”

Ruidíaz last played for the Sounders on Sept. 29 when he scored two goals in the first half against the San Jose Earthquakes before being pulled at halftime after suffering a muscle injury. Ruidíaz was able to return to training a few days later but was held out of the Oct. 3 match after re-aggravating the injury. Ruidíaz then traveled to Peru ahead of a slate of three World Cup qualifiers where he again re-aggravated the injury before playing in any games. He has been rehabbing the injury there ever since.

A report then surfaced on Tuesday suggesting that Ruidíaz might remain in Peru until the next international window that begins on Nov. 11 and not return to the Sounders until the playoffs. Schmetzer effectively laughed off that possibility.

While Ruidíaz is expected to return to the Sounders this week, it’s not as clear when he might be able to play. The Sounders have five games remaining in the regular season, to be played over the course of 18 days with the next three in a span of seven days.

Ruidíaz remains in contention for the MLS Golden Boot with 16 goals in 25 appearances, one behind leader Ola Kamara. Still, the Sounders have faired reasonably well in the games he’s missed, going 3-1-0 (2.25 PPG).