TUKWILA, Wash. – Ozzie Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda and Marco Pappa, three stalwarts of the Seattle Sounders’ midfield, have yet to take the field at the same time through Seattle’s first five games of the 2015 season.
They might finally have their chance as the Sounders gear up for their game on Saturday, a road tilt against the Colorado Rapids (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
Alonso missed the team’s first two games of the season with a groin injury and Pappa has also missed two early-season games for international duty with Guatemala. Pineda, meanwhile, missed the game against the Galaxy last weekend due to a red card suspension.
All three are available for Saturday, marking the first time all season Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid will have the luxury of a choosing a starting lineup out of a crop that includes a full-strength midfield.
“It’s just good being able to have all those guys out on the field together,” Schmid said. “There’s that understanding that’s there so hopefully that provides a basis [against Colorado].”
The Sounders hope that understanding can help lead to some finished chances after being shut out by the Galaxy despite putting 10 shots on target. Speaking with reporters after Seattle’s practice on Thursday, Pappa said a more aggressive approach can be expected for him personally as he continues to search for his first goal of the season.
“For myself, I think I have to shoot a little bit more,” Pappa said. “The last two, three games I didn’t shoot any balls on goal – maybe one … I hope we can get more shots to goal and give assists because that’s what we try and do. During [the season] I usually score some goals, so I hope I can get some this year.”
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Schmid also confirmed after Seattle’s practice on Friday that forward Clint Dempsey did travel with the team to Colorado after missing the Galaxy game with a hamstring injury.
But the Sounders will have to contend with a confident Colorado squad that is coming off a surprising 4-0 demolition of FC Dallas last weekend, an offensive explosion from the previously goal-starved Rapids that has the attention of Seattle center back Brad Evans and his squad.
“[The Rapids] were getting chances but they just weren’t finishing, and then all of the sudden they explode against Dallas,” Evans said. “So, [they are] obviously dangerous on both sides of the ball. Very defensive-minded, but also now they’ve got the goals underneath their belt. It’s a dangerous time to play that team.”
