TUKWILA, Wash. — Barring unforeseen setbacks, Seattle Sounders forward O’Brian White (above) is set to play in Tuesday’s Reserve League match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Jamaican forward underwent surgery in late April when doctors discovered a potentially dangerous blood clot in his left leg.
The subsequent blood-thinning medication and recovery had sidelined White for the past few months. After playing a bit against Manchester United, the Sounders want to see what he can do in a competitive match.
“We’ll try to get him at least 45 minutes,” said head coach Sigi Schmid.
When he left the team, White was the team’s co-leading scorer (two goals) and had secured the starting spot alongside Fredy Montero in Schmid’s 4-4-2 formation. Since White’s injury, a handful of players have rotated into the second forward’s role, with Roger Levesque seeing the most action.
Schmid credited the versatile Levesque, who had been training at right back for much of the preseason, for contributing in White’s absence.
“He’s the kind of guy who always has a good attitude, is always going to train hard, and he’s always going to be ready when you call on him,” Schmid said of Levesque. “He’s never going to shortchange you in terms of effort.”
Terry Boss (concussion) will not play, while a decision will be made Monday afternoon about the availability of Brad Evans (hamstring strain) and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (right knee MCL sprain).
The reserve match, which is closed to the public, is set to kick off at 5 pm ET in Vancouver, B.C.
Neagle pleased with goal
When the shot left his foot, Lamar Neagle knew it had a chance to sneak through traffic and into the back of the net. The Sounders midfielder scored the game-winning goal in the 92nd minute in Kansas City, set up by the brilliant play of teammate Mauro Rosales who had scored the equalizer just two minutes earlier.
“I was going back across the goal,” Neagle said. “I knew the goalie would be sliding over.”
The outside midfielder now has two goals in 470 minutes of MLS play this season, including four starts.
Andrew Winner covers the Seattle Sounders for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewWinnerMLS
