With two goalkeepers out due to injury, Seattle turned to veteran MLS keeper and former Sounder Andrew Weber to back up Michael Gspurning.
Sounders FC was in need of a goalkeeper this week after Marcus Hahnemann went down with a hamstring injury in a reserve league match against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday and they turned to their past to fill the void left by the injury.
And while Kasey Keller has been working out with the team this week in preparation to work as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team in the Gold Cup, he has no plans to return from his retirement. The goalkeeper coming back to Seattle is Andrew Weber, joining Sounders FC on loan from Phoenix FC in the USL-Pro.
Weber, 29, made three starts for Sounders FC in 2012, finishing with a 1.60 goals against average and started the 2013 season in his native Phoenix, Arizona, with the newly formed Phoenix FC. He played 13 matches for the third division club.
“I’m happy to be back. It’s a good opportunity for me to join up with the guys again and enjoy soccer,” Weber said after his first training session back with Seattle on Thursday.
Sounders FC started the season with three goalkeepers, but Josh Ford underwent surgery to repair a fractured kneecap early in the season and Hahnemann suffered a hamstring strain last week, leaving Seattle with just Michael Gspurning on the roster.
With Weber relatively close by in Phoenix, they were able to keep an eye on his play and goalkeeper coach Tom Dutra was in communication with him along the way. His familiarity with the team was a selling point for the short-term loan while Hahnemann recovers from his injury.
“We just figured that this was the best alternative,” head coach Sigi Schmid said. “He knows the team. He knows Seattle. He knows the situation and the group knows him.”
Sounders FC will face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
