TUKWILA, Wash. — Despite long travel and, for some, extended minutes, all four of the Seattle Sounders internationals who were away competing with their respective countries for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying are available for selection for Friday’s match against Atlanta United (7 p.m. PT; FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
Head coach Brian Schmetzer said on Thursday that Clint Dempsey, Roman Torres, Joevin Jones and Nicolas Lodeiro are “in various stages of recovery” and will be a coach’s selection for Friday. Dempsey, Torres and Jones each logged 180 minutes over the two games, while Lodeiro dressed but did not see the field.
“He’s chomping at the bit to play,” Schmetzer said of Lodeiro. “He traveled all that way [to Uruguay] and didn’t play. He’s ready to play.”
The Sounders also received good news from injured players Jordan Morris (ankle) and Oniel Fisher (hamstring). Each passed fitness tests on Thursday and are also available for selection against Atlanta.