Trialist Roberto Chen has come a long way to join the Seattle Sounders’ preseason camp.
Flying out to Seattle from Spain on Saturday and then down to the Sounders’ camp in Arizona on Sunday, Chen is still understandably acclimating to his new surroundings and time zones.
That didn’t stop him from participating in the team’s scrimmage against FC Tucson on Wednesday night, however, when he logged 45 minutes on the back line.
Head coach Sigi Schmid is reserving judgment on Chen until he can watch him a bit more in the team’s matchup against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, but remains optimistic about the prospect’s abilities.
“The last time we had him in [in 2013] he had a good attitude and we liked his work ethic, and that was another reason why we wanted to look at him again,” said Schmid. “I thought he did alright (against Tucson), obviously that group didn’t take a goal. He’ll be a lot more acclimated on Saturday, so we’ll get a good look at him then.”
4-3-3 Formation Nothing New
The talk of the offseason has been the probable switch in formation for Schmid and his expanding arsenal of prolific forwards. In an attempt to utilize as much firepower as possible, Schmid has openly discussed moving away from last season’s 4-4-2 to a more volatile 4-3-3.
Fans got a glimpse of this new structure on Wednesday, when Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Nelson Valdez all took to the front line together, but according to Schmid, this isn’t a new concept for the group.
“We showed them clips of us playing it from last year and there’s a lot of clips where we’re actually playing a 4-3-3,” Schmid said. “This really isn’t something we haven’t done before, it’s just something we’re making more formalized.”
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Schmid was happy with how the formation played out against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, stating that he felt his team was better in the final 15-20 minutes of the first half and that they generated the cleanest chances.
“It will be a work in progress but we worked hard on it and the guys grasped it well. It’s something you have to fine tune and tweak,” Schmid said. “(The match) certainly answered some questions for us.”
Injury Updates
Defender Roman Torres has long been sidelined with a torn ACL, but is coming along steadily and has increased workouts with the team.
“He’s making progress all the time, he’s jogging on the field, he’s doing double sessions and doing work in the gym,” said Schmid. “He’s doing field sessions in the morning and the afternoon in the gym.
Defender Brad Evans also generated some concern among fans when he left the U.S. national team’s match against Iceland on Sunday with hamstring tightness.
On Thursday, Evans assured he will be ready to go for first leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Club America on Feb. 23.
“I’d give myself about 4 or 5 more days,” said Evans. “Very, very minor, more precautionary than anything.”
Ockford Plays With First Team
Wednesday’s preseason match saw center back Jimmy Ockford get minutes with the starting lineup, playing alongside Sounders stalwart Chad Marshall. Ockford expressed confidence in his performance and excitement about playing with the first team.
“I think I did well; there is always something I can do better but I thought I was pretty consistent in there.” Ockford said. “It felt great playing with some veterans; I learned a lot from them so hopefully I can keep getting more calls with the first.”
Schmid also feels good about Ockford’s play.
“Jimmy is a player who is good in the air,” Schmid said. “He made a couple of good plays defensively in this game. He’s worked hard every day.”
