Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer announced on Friday that defender Xavier Arreaga did not travel with the team to Columbus ahead of MLS Cup 2020 against Crew SC on Saturday (5:30 p.m. PT; FOX, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
Schmetzer confirmed Arreaga is home in Seattle awaiting the birth of his first child, and that he would not make it to the match unless the baby was born healthy and the club could get Arreaga to Ohio in time. Schmetzer called that scenario “a miracle.”
“It’s a wonderful event when you have children, and so we let him stay with his wife,” Schmetzer said of Arreaga. “We’re very pleased for Xavier. He’s an important member of our team, and I know he will be with us in spirit.”
The Sounders still have center backs Yeimar and Shane O’Neill, who each started Seattle’s first three postseason matches, as well as veteran Román Torres, who rejoined the club midway through this season.
