TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders midfielder Erik Friberg is expected to return to the lineup for the team’s first road matchup of the year this weekend after clearing the MLS concussion protocol earlier this week.
Friberg did not play in the Sounders’ MLS regular season opener last weekend after colliding with Chad Marshall during the second leg of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals earlier this month. He trained fully for the first time on Thursday and told media members he’ll be ready to play when the Sounders take on Real Salt Lake on Saturday (1 p.m. PT; Joetv/KIRO 97.3 FM/El Rey 1360 AM).
“It feels great. I don’t have any headaches anymore, so I’m ready to go,” Friberg said on Friday.
Friberg started the team’s two SCCL games and earlier this year and is head coach Sigi Schmid’s top choice on the right side of the midfield. He appeared in 13 games (11 starts) after re-joining the club midway through the season last year, and also scored a goal in three postseason appearances.
Friberg’s return alleviates some early-season injury concerns for the Sounders, who also played without starting right back Tyrone Mears (quad strain) in the season opener. While Mears is expected to return on Saturday, center back and captain Brad Evans will miss the game with a shoulder injury.
