The injury bug took a big bite out of the Seattle Sounders, you know what. The team announced on Friday that Paul Arriola tore his ACL in the team’s loss to Cruz Azul. Jordan Morris suffered a hamstring injury in the same contest and is expected to miss four to six weeks. That is the exact timeline for Pedro de la Vega, who strained his quad in the team’s 5-2 win over LAFC last Saturday. Center Back Yemeir will miss the team match at St. Louis due to personal reasons.
WHEN THINGS WERE LOOKING GOOD
The news of the mounting injuries could not come at a worse time. I don’t know if there is ever a good time to get a boatload of devastating injury news. Add in the news of head coach Brian Schmetzer missing the last two practices due to illness, and it is not hyperbole to say Saturday’s game at St. Louis is a gut-check game.
“ We are a deep team this year, and you have to believe in yourself whether it’s injuries or a bad run-off play,’ said Stefan Frei after the team’s Friday practice. “
With several tournaments and league play, the Sounders added Arriola, Jesus Ferreria Kim Kee-hee, and retained Joao Paulo and Albert Rusnak to bring depth and competition. As the team leader, Frei does not believe he has to stay anything to the players because the team is finding its rhythm, and players on the roster know injuries are unfortunate but also provide an opportunity to step up and help the team win.
” I don’t have to say anything to the guys; they will have to step up, and it’s opportunities for people to play. They ought to be hungry themselves and try to play to the best their ability and get results. We’ve always said that it’s the whole team, and it’s not just 11 something guys that are gonna chase something. So uh, I don’t think I have to say anything,” added Frei.
SELF-MEDICATION IN MODERATION
While he is not an advocate of alcohol, Frei revealed in the interview that he has previously gifted several players some alcohol to get them through the early patch of an injury. “ You know I am not an advocate of alcohol, but in the past, I have brought Jordy Delema a bottle of rum, Jordan ( Morris) a bottle of tequila, and Paul is a Gin drinker,” said Frei.” Maybe sometimes you have to let your anger and negative thoughts come out, and you can move on to the recovery stage.” Frei knows something about injuries. In 2012, he missed 38 games with Toronto FC; in 2021, he missed 18 games with the Sounders due to a knee injury.
TOUGH OPPONENT
St Louis FC will provide a defensive challenge for the Sounders. The homeside is coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy and is undefeated to start the season with two draws and a win to start the season . Goal-tender Roma Burki made eight saves in the Galaxy win and earned MLS Player of the Match Day. St Louis FC has never beaten the Sounders in four matches and has had an own goal against them in all matches. The Sounders (1-1-1) will not change who they are and will look to play fast, good fundamental defense and look to counter and be clinical in the final third.
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