TUKWILA, Wash. — Seattle Sounders striker Fredy Montero is once again expected to play Friday night against the defending MLS Cup champions in a nationally televised game at the Colorado Rapids (9:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer).
The Seattle striker appeared as a substitute last week against the Philadelphia Union, providing the assist on Seattle’s stoppage-time goal in a 1-1 draw.
The Colombian star was able to practice this week with a cast over his surgically repaired wrist. He does not appear on Seattle’s injury report but it is not known whether he will start or not.
"I'm really happy just to be able to get on the pitch and help because when I'm on the bench I can't do anything to help the team,” Montero told the Seattle Times.
Seattle posted a 1-0-1 record in Montero’s absence due to wrist surgery, posting a draw with the San Jose Earthquakes and a victory over the Chicago Fire. Newcomer Mauro Rosales has provided excellent cover during Montero’s absence.
Should Montero start, it is unclear if Rosales would also keep his place in the starting lineup. The two were both on the field for the final 24 minutes of last weekend’s match along with target striker Nate Jaqua.
Earlier this week Sounders manager Sigi Schmid said he hadn’t yet settled on a lineup.
In the late stages of the match against Philadelphia, Schmid moved to a 3-5-2 formation to get more of his best attacking players on the field. While the tactic led to a goal, he was noncommittal about using that same lineup going forward.
“For us, it was successful this weekend because it allowed us to get a group of players on the field that we felt could create something for us, caught the opponent by surprise and the people worked very hard in that formation for that period of time,” Schmid said. “Is it something that is longterm? That's something you can't say at this point."
