TUKWILA, Wash. — Mired in a seven-match run in which they’ve allowed 12 goals, the Seattle Sounders defense is poised to get some reinforcements.
Osvaldo Alonso (quadriceps tear) is expected to fully rejoin training on Tuesday and DeAndre Yedlin (shoulder separation) came out of this past Saturday’s substitute performance in a 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps unscathed, setting up both for possible returns to the starting lineup against the San Jose Earthquakes this coming Saturday.
“[Yedlin’s] shoulder is getting stronger and his range of motion is pretty full right now,” Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid said after Monday’s light training session. “We just thought around 60 minutes his shoulder would start bothering him and he’d start dragging it. Him being able to get a full week of training is going to help.”
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Although the Sounders still boast a defense that ranks in the top half of the league, they’ve allowed the bulk of their goals during this recent stretch. Even those numbers are a bit kind, as they have posted a pair of shutouts against Chivas USA and D.C. United, who are the league’s two worst offensive teams.
There was also some ominous injury news, too.
Marcus Hahnemann and Andy Rose both suffered hamstring injuries during Sunday’s Reserve League game and Alex Caskey may have to undergo surgery to repair a nagging ankle injury.
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Rose and Hahnemann were considered day-to-day, and Schmid did not think either should have to miss more than one or two weeks. Pool goalkeeper Doug Herrick is currently training with the Sounders and could possibly replace Hahnemann on the depth chart if needed.
Caskey could be out a bit longer if the team decides surgery is needed.
“We’re going to make a decision this week because he’s having some ankle issues,” Schmid said about Caskey. “It started to get better and this weekend was the test of whether it was getting better or not. He struggled with it in the game so we’ll probably make a decision.”
