WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Seattle Sounders enjoyed a training session in the nation’s capital on Tuesday ahead of their contest with D.C. United. Defender Brad Evans participated in the session after picking up a head injury on Saturday against the New England Revolution. Head coach Sigi Schmid provided an update on the incident after training.
“He got hit in the head with the ball obviously and was a little bit woozy,” said Schmid. “We always want to make sure we err on the side of caution in those moments.”
After putting Evans through concussion protocol, Schmid feels that he will be available for Wednesday despite the quick turnaround.
“We put him through all the concussion protocol, and regular procedures and he’s cleared everything so he’s ready to go for Wednesday.”
Schmid impressed with Kovar, Alfaro
With Evans unable to continue in Saturday's match and defender Chad Marshall already out with a hamstring strain, Schmid called upon rookie Tony Alfaro for his first career MLS appearance on Saturday. Given the circumstances, Schmid was impressed with Alfaro's ability to step up to the challenge.
“His performance was good,” said Schmid. “For the first time, you get thrown in, you don’t really expect it, you don’t get a lot of warm up time and I thought he acquitted himself very well.”
Forward Aaron Kovar also got a “first” for himself in the form of his first MLS goal. The young forward has 18 appearances for the club but had yet to record a goal or an assist until Saturday.
Schmid noted after Tuesday’s training session that Kovar’s goal was not only important for him but for the team as a whole, given the new formation and tactical shift that Schmid and company have implemented this season.
“It was a good goal and we need to get goals from our wide players,” Schmid told reporters. “Kovar needs to get on the board, [Herculez] Gomez, all the players in the wide positions need to get on the board.”
