On Tuesday morning Seattle Sounders FC began its preparations for the defense of it’s MLS Cup title, holding its first training session in advance of the 2017 season at Starfire Sports in Tukwila. First, here’s a look at what the Sounders are playing for:
The MLS Cup is on display at the first day of #Sounders training: pic.twitter.com/C97YtfChsZ
— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) January 24, 2017
The thing everyone was watching for was whether star forward Clint Dempsey would be present and participating in Tuesday’s session. Dempsey, one of the greatest players in U.S. history, had his 2016 cut short in August because of an irregular heartbeat that kept him out of Seattle’s improbable run to the MLS title. Well, Dempsey was indeed present and accounted for:
A better look at Clint Dempsey on the first day of #Sounders training: pic.twitter.com/3rrCJukbFI
— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) January 24, 2017
Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said there is no timetable for when Dempsey might be game ready. However, he said Dempsey could potentially play in preseason games. Lagerwey made it sound like, if Dempsey’s health situation continues on its current path, that Dempsey may be available sooner rather than later. So that’s good news for Seattle.
Another player who has health issues is goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Frei, the star of Seattle’s shootout victory over Toronto FC in the MLS championship game, sprained an ankle while participating in camp with the U.S. men’s national team, an injury that could threaten Frei’s availability for Seattle’s season opener on March 4 at Houston. The injury also, at least for the time being, ended the Switzerland native’s bid to make the U.S. national team (Frei is in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen).
Meanwhile, there were four prominent players who were not present for the beginning of training. Uruguayan midfield playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro, who was the difference maker in turning Seattle’s season around last year, has been allowed to return late to training because of his heavy schedule the previous 18 months. Forward Jordan Morris, midfielder/defender Brad Evans and defender Chad Marshall remain with the U.S. national team.
As for players with Snohomish County ties, defender Kyle Bjornethun had his first taste of MLS training. The Glacier Peak High School graduate, who was selected in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft out of Seattle University (the last selection of the draft), was deployed as a left back in Tuesday’s training:
#Sounders draft pick and Glacier Peak H.S. graduate Kyle Bjornethun: pic.twitter.com/wGIEgh0da2
— Nick Patterson (@NickHPatterson) January 24, 2017
Meanwhile, midfielder Jordan Schweitzer, a graduate of Jackson High School, is no longer with the organization. Schweitzer, originally signed as a homegrown player last year before spending the season on the Sounders’ S2 team, did not have his contract renewed by the team. Schweitzer has signed with Orlando of the USL.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
