TUKWILA, Wash. — Seattle Sounders interim head coach Brian Schmetzer on Tuesday quashed any potential rumors about whether Obafemi Martins would be making a return to Seattle after the former Sounders forward showed up unexpectedly to the S2 match vs. Timbers 2 on Monday night.
“He’s on vacation,” Schmetzer said with a smile. “He’s taking a little break. That was it. I know there were rumors on social media, but [him coming back] is not going to happen. He’s under contract. We can’t do that.”
The Nigerian international scored 40 goals in 72 matches for the Sounders from 2013-15 before signing with Chinese club Shenghai Shenhua in February 2016.
"I said hello,” Schmetzer said. “He's very friendly, seemed to be in good spirits.”
Martins, who showed up with Sounders players Tyrone Mears and Darwin Jones, still has family and friends in Seattle. Shanghai Shenhua is currently on an international break and does not play its next match until Sept. 11.
