While it is tough to quantify the effect of a defensive midfielder, consider this: In the nine games featuring a healthy Osvaldo Alonso, Seattle Sounders FC have allowed six goals. In the two since, they have conceded three. While there are other factors at play, Alonso's absence seems to have a tangible effect on the team's midfield play.
Between the ground he covers, the passes he connects, and opposing counterattacks he destroys, his contributions to the cause cannot be undervalued.
"Osvaldo does a lot of things. He's a good recoverer of the ball. That's an important trait to have at midfield," Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. "If you can have somebody there who can recover the ball, who can win a tackle, who can intercept a pass, who can make the ball go in the other direction when it's going toward your goal, that helps your team out immensely.
"So, Osvaldo has those qualities and also technically is very good. He covers a lot of ground. But other people have to step up right now."
Alonso continues to recover from the right quad strain he suffered during warmups for the Colorado game. The former Cuban defector tried to play through it, but he had to leave the game in the second minute. While he's becoming more active in training, Alonso doesn't think he'll be ready for this weekend's clash at Chivas USA.
"I feel better. By the start of next week, I should be ready to play," Alonso said through a translator. "I am getting better day by day.
"This is my first injury with this team. It is difficult and it kills me to be sitting out but I am looking forward to getting back as soon as I can."
With Alonso "questionable" for this weekend, according to Schmid, Sounders FC have strained to find his replacement. Of the Seattle squad, Schmid can essentially choose from the following players: Nathan Sturgis, Patrick Ianni, Freddie Ljungberg, Brad Evans, Pete Vagenas and Stephen King.
However, none of these players bring the ball-winning ability of Alonso.
Ianni brings the qualities one would expect from a central defender -- impeccable strength, aerial dominance, and the ability to come out on top in a tussle. However, he does not cover the same amount of ground.
Sturgis' skill set is somewhat similar to Ianni's. Primarily a defender, his ability to hold the ball has seen him come on late in games when Schmid wants to salt away a lead. He can also tackle well. However, his speed, ingenuity, and general presence in the midfield do not match Alonso's.
King's impressed Schmid with his performances in training and his potential, but has struggled to influence games in the few chances he's had this season.
That leaves Ljungberg, Evans, and Vagenas.
Against Columbus, with Ljungberg starting wide right, Evans and Vagenas won the sweepstakes to start in the middle. However, Evans was still recovering from multiple injuries sustained against FC Dallas while Vagenas, just returning from an injury, was pressed into the starting lineup.
The midfield trio of Robbie Rogers, Emmanuel Ekpo and Danny O'Rourke made it difficult for Seattle to build through the midfield, something they have had success with previously.
"The way Columbus plays those guys do a lot of ground work," Schmid said. "There were a couple of times I thought we played long when we probably could have played through the midfield and that's something we worked on (Tuesday) a little bit.
"It was a little mixture of what Columbus was doing and maybe us not feeling confident enough at that point to play through midfield. I don't think it would have been different if Ozzy had been in there."
For Vagenas, the task of replacing Alonso is difficult, since his injury basically eliminated his chance at preseason conditioning. The veteran could only manage 64 minutes in his second start of the season before he was replaced by Ianni. Especially with the recent warm weather in Seattle, fitness is still an issue for Vagenas.
"I was doing well and I basically collapsed yesterday through sheer exhaustion," Vagenas said. "They gave me the rest today, but I'm getting there.
"Nothing can really emulate a game, so I have got to fight through that. I do have some rough moments in the match, but for the most part I'm getting there."
Nearly a month ago, Schmid bestowed a great compliment on his No. 6 jersey, calling Alonso a "given," meaning that a coach can expect the same contribution from him "game-in and game-out." With a crucial away game to Chivas USA coming up, the only given is that Seattle needs to find an adequate plan B while Alonso continues to recover.
Andrew Winner is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
