SEATTLE – New Sounders FC designated player Blaise Nkufo has been added to the club’s active roster, the club announced on Thursday, and could see an appearance off the bench at RFK Stadium against D.C. United, as coach Sigi Schmid suggested.
In a teleconference with reporters on Wednesday, Schmid confirmed he might debut Nkufo in the nationally televised contest, but will keep the star out of the starting lineup.
“At this point, how many minutes he plays is something we are still talking about,” Schmid said. “I don’t see Blaise starting at this point, because [Wednesday] was his first time with our team and we want to make sure we present a good opportunity to him and the team.
“But, certainly, we see how the game goes and we’ll see if the situation is right for him enter the game and for him to have an impact on the game. Every time you introduce a new player, you want to be able him to introduce him in a manner in which he can be successful and that’s what’s most important right now.”
The move also confirms what most suspected: that Nkufo will be a designated player.
The Swiss striker participated in training with his new team Wednesday morning and said he feels mentally ready to contribute to the team. The African-born forward took 15 days away from the game after competing with Switzerland in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Last week, fans of his former club, FC Twente of the Dutch Eredivisie, turned out for the unveiling of a bronze statue of Nkufo at the club’s stadium.
Nkufo thanked the Dutch fans for their support but said he is turning his focus to Major League Soccer.
“For me now the window is closed, and I need to transition quickly because I have a lot to do with my new team,” he said.
Nkufo (pronounced KOOH-fo) played the past seven seasons for Twente in Enschede, Netherlands. The club won the Dutch Eredivisie title in May and Nkufo scored a club record 114 goals in league play.
Earlier Thursday, Seattle placed rookie David Estrada on the injured reserve. He will not be eligible to play in the next six league matches but can still participate in other competitions.
Seattle currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference with a 4-8-4 record.
