TUKWILA, Wash. – The mood was light around Seattle Sounders training on Wednesday, the day before they faced their biggest challenge of their MLS season.
Part of the reason might have been because they are looking reasonably healthy as they get ready to play Real Salt Lake in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals on Thursday (10 pm ET, NBCSN, live chat on MLSsoccer.com).
Eddie Johnson was in full practice when the session was opened to the media. And in what was a relatively light day of training, Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid indicated that midfielder Mauro Rosales' injured hamstring had progressed to the point that he’ll at least be traveling with the team.
Scouting Report: RSL vs. Seattle
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Schmid said about his Argentine playmaker. “He said it’s progressed much better than he expected to progress. It’s pretty localized, so we’re able to treat it pretty well.
“I’d like to say [he’ll at least be in the 18] at this stage, but you never know with an injury like this. You could have a setback, it could progress really well, you just have to wait and see.”
Regardless of how much Rosales is able to play, Schmid said he liked what he was seeing from his players as they attempt to win the club's first playoff series.
“If we could play today, we’d play today,” Schmid said. “I think we’re ready. I think our team is anxious. I think our team is looking forward to the opportunity.
"It’s something I really sense a really good vibe within our team. I think they believe very strongly in what they need to do tomorrow and believe strongly that they can accomplish the goal.”
