TUKWILA, Wash. - When the Seattle Sounders take on the San Jose Earthquakes at CenturyLink Field on Saturday (7 p.m. PT; Q13 FOX/Univision-Seattle/KIRO 97.3 FM/El Rey 1360AM) , they’ll be regaining the services of at least a couple of key contributors.
One notable name that could make his return to the field for Seattle is Andreas Ivanschitz. The Austrian midfielder has been nursing a thigh strain that held him out of Seattle’s 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew SC last weekend, but after making it through training this week, Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid says Ivanschitz will be available against San Jose.
Schmid also gave an optimistic prognosis on the health of forwards Nelson Valdez and Clint Dempsey, as well as midfielder Erik Friberg - all of whom have dealt with injuries in varying capacities in recent weeks.
“Ivanschitz got through this week of training,” Schmid told reporters after Seattle’s Friday training session. “Valdez has also made it through the week good and Friberg’s also had a full week of training, so we’re happy with all that.”
The improved bill of health for the trio of Ivanschitz, Valdez and Dempsey might generate most of the headlines, but Friberg’s re-entry into the fold could also prove consequential. Schmid pointed to Friberg’s play as a substitute against Columbus as a notable positive after the game and said he hopes to see more of the same for the 30-year-old midfielder as the Sounders gear up for Saturday’s tilt with San Jose.
“I thought Erik came in off the bench last week and did some good things for us,” Schmid said on Friday. “We’re looking forward to Erik playing a role this week as well.”
Seattle center back Brad Evans should also be back in action on Saturday after serving a one-game suspension last weekend for a red card he picked up a week earlier against the Colorado Rapids.
Without Evans against Columbus, the Sounders were able to maintain the clean sheet thanks in part to a standout performance from Zach Scott that earned the veteran staple a nod on the MLS Team of the Week.
“Zach’s a good pro,” Schmid said. “He trains hard every day, he’s prepared and when his opportunity comes you know he’s going to be reliable and give you everything he has. It was a great honor for him to make team of the week and he was solid. That’s what you expect from your players when you come off the bench.”
