Sounders FC heads into its match with Sporting Kansas City with a number of key faces either out or in question.
Captain Brad Evans is away on national team duty with the USA and midfield stalwart Ozzie Alonso is serving a one-game suspension, so the club will be without it's two all-time leaders in appearances and minutes. Players in question include Obafemi Martins, who is recovering from nose surgery, Clint Dempsey, whose wife is expecting the couple’s fourth child, and Chad Barrett, who is dealing with a hamstring issue.
Despite these lingering factors, Head Coach Sigi Schmid knows he has a deep squad to choose from ahead of the club’s match with a streaking KC.
“We’ll figure it out over the next two days and put a team on the field for Saturday,” said Schmid after training on Thursday. “We’ll look at what fits our personnel. Once we have a good idea of who’s healthy and who’s available, we’ll make a lineup and put a group together that fits our personnel.”
That personnel includes players like Zach Scott and Andy Rose who have both been clambering for more playing time this season. Scott, the Sounders’ longest-tenured player, looks set to fill Evans’ void in the backline with 2014 MLS Defender of the Year Chad Marshall.
Scott emphasized that guys in his position need to be prepared for matches such as this, especially after such a congested schedule that the Sounders have experienced over the last two weeks.
“I think the biggest thing was just making sure we recovered after the quick three games in nine days,” said Scott. “That was really the look-ahead when we were trying to figure out training this week, just making sure that guys who needed rest got their rest and guys who we expect to be rotating in this week are sharp.
“I know we’ve got a lot of guys who are hungry for minutes, so it should be a good chance for them.”
Playing a multitude of positions this year, Rose could take Alonso’s place in the center of the midfield at Sporing Park. Previously starting eight matches for the club this season, the 25-year-old has played out wide on the flanks as well.
His main goal is to help the team however he can - and that will need to be the case with the Sounders' slew of matches upcoming.
“I’ve played a couple different positions, and I’m obviously most comfortable in the middle,” Rose said about where he likes to play. “But I’m more than happy to do whatever I need to do for the team. We’ve had a few injuries and National Team call-ups, so you have to fill in. If I’m the one to do that, then brilliant.”
Rose and the Sounders will kick off from Sporting Park at 5:30 p.m. PT with live television coverage on JOEtv beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT. You can also follow the match on Twitter with @LIVESounders.
