SEATTLE – Seattle Sounders midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz was forced out of the team’s match against the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday at CenturyLink Field with a sprained right knee.
Ivanschitz was subbed out of the game for Erik Friberg in the 16th minute after colliding with a Dynamo defender while surging into the box and firing a shot that was saved by Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis.
The 32-year-old Austrian international has been a regular fixture on the left side of the midfield in his first full season in MLS, appearing in 28 games this year (25 starts). His eight assists are tied with Nicolas Lodeiro for the team lead.
The Sounders also played Wednesday night without midfielders Alvaro Fernandez (hamstring) and Brad Evans (suspension) and defenders Joevin Jones and Oniel Fisher (international duty).
More news on Ivanschitz’s health is expected on Wednesday night, but the Sounders face a quick turnaround after their final midweek game of the season. They’ll play at FC Dallas on Sunday before closing the regular season at home against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 23.
