RENTON – It has been nearly two months since the Seattle Sounders played their last competitive match, a 1–0 loss to LAFC on May 24. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to use that time to get much healthier.
As they prepare for their first game back from the World Cup break on Thursday against the Portland Timbers, the Sounders are going to be missing several key contributors through a combination of new injuries and others that have taken a bit longer to heal than anyone had hoped. Among them are Cristian Roldan (quad), Alex Roldan (hip), Yeimar Gomez-Andrade (hamstring) and Kim Kee-hee (calf). Those absences are in addition to longer-term injuries to Ryan Sailor (knee) and Pedro de la Vega (knee).
With a match against their biggest rival on the horizon, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer didn’t seem interested in wallowing in any self-pity over those situations, though.
“A lot of guys smell opportunity to show me what they can do,” Schmetzer said following Tuesday’s training session. “So, no big speeches, dramatic stuff. They’re all motivated.”
Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock echoed that thought, and didn’t seem particularly worried about having to shake off any rust.
“I think it’s perfect,” he said when asked about facing a rival in the first game back. “We’ve been champing at the bit. There’s no better way to to get into things. I think the group feels really different this week because there’s a game on the horizon.”
More injury updates
De la Vega: While still not fully back, de la Vega participated in most of training and at least seems to be making progress. The midfielder suffered a fractured patella last October and Schmetzer said they’ll continue to practice caution. "He’s got to show that he can be durable over training, a little bit longer training time than just normal. We’ll keep you guys updated as to his progress, but he looks good. He’s excited. It lifts the whole team."
Yeimar: Among the injured players, Schmetzer said Yeimar is the closest to returning. He had been training in full but felt some tightness in his hamstring last week and had to miss a scrimmage against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Cristian Roldan: The midfielder was doing some fitness work on Tuesday. He has been dealing with his injury for several weeks, forcing him to miss the USMNT's last three games at the World Cup. "Christian wanted to get back and playing, and I don’t blame him for that," Schmetzer said. "Obviously, the World Cup was a big deal, so he pushed, and then he had a little relapse."
Alex Roldan: After missing the Sounders’ final two games before the World Cup break, it was hoped that the defender would be back by now. But the hip issue has not gone away. "That might be the one I’m most concerned about," Schmetzer said. "He’s got a chronic hip issue. We’ve had to just take a step back, so we can get him healthy for the remainder of the year."
Cody Baker loaned to Revolution
Schmetzer confirmed reports that defender Cody Baker has joined the New England Revolution on a loan. The loan includes a purchase option that includes a MLS SuperDraft pick and some GAM, Sounder at Heart independently confirmed.
The Revolution are a bit thin at fullback and apparently approached the Sounders about a deal. Revolution assistant coach Mike Morris previously coached Baker at the Sounders Academy and Tacoma Defiance.
"That was a tough one, because he’s such a good kid," Schmetzer said. "Local product, works his butt off every day at training. That, to me, is one of those, let's let the kid have an opportunity."
