Earlier this week, a heap of young players had the chance to represent Sounders FC in the team’s international friendly with Club Tijuana. Some of them may get another chance on Saturday night against FC Dallas.
As players will be missing due to injuries and National Team call-ups, Seattle’s depth is sure to be tested in its first road match of the season.
Midfielder Marco Pappa is playing with the Guatemalan National Team this week, while forward Clint Dempsey has been ruled out with a minor hamstring injury after reporting to the U.S. Men’s National Team. Osvaldo Alonso has yet to play this season after undergoing offseason groin surgery, while Chad Marshall and Tyrone Mears have been dealing with minor injuries, as well.
Dallas is atop the league table after a 3-0-0 start to the season, though the Hoops will also be without many of their key players this weekend. Blas Perez, Moises Hernandez and Atiba Harris – each a starter in the first three games for Dallas – are among the half dozen that were called in by their respective National Teams.
“It shouldn’t affect the match at all, because I think both teams pride themselves on their depth and the competition for spots,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “It’s up to the guys who are on the field to do the business. …We feel confident in the depth of our team.
“We’ve got players who can play, and it’s their opportunity to step forward.”
Knowing at least Dempsey and Pappa will be out of the lineup, Schmid has a number of viable options to choose from in filling those two starting spots.
Aaron Kovar and Cristian Roldan had strong showings as the starting outside midfielders in Tuesday’s friendly, while rookies Oniel Fisher and Andres Correa also have experience playing the position. Veteran strikers Lamar Neagle and Chad Barrett – as well as rookies Darwin Jones and Victor Mansaray – can be slotted at forward or outside midfield.
“We know we have the quality,” Schmid said. “I think it showed in the Tijuana game.”
After starting the season with a resounding victory over New England, the Rave Green lost 3-2 to San Jose on March 14. They’ve had two weeks to prepare for Dallas, and according to goalkeeper Stefan Frei, the team’s early bye from MLS action came at an ideal time.
“Usually when you lose, you want to get back out there,” Frei said. “But the way I looked at it, we had one week where we could just go at it in training and not really have to worry about whether we’re going to be sore on the weekend. I think we got a lot done…hopefully it’s going to pay off in the end.”
