Three players return to Sounders

  • By Don Ruiz The News Tribune
  • Saturday, February 9, 2013 8:49pm
  • SportsSports

Three key Seattle Sounders returned to the club Saturday, exactly three weeks before the start of the Major League Soccer season.

Forward Eddie Johnson, midfielder Brad Evans and defender Adam Johansson worked at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila for the first time after spending the first part of preseason with their national teams.

“It’s good just to have those guys back,” coach Sigi Schmid said. “You can tell the spirit of the team has picked up a little bit, as well. I thought (Saturday) was a good practice. Guys played with a lot of enthusiasm, and we got a lot of work out of it.”

The three returning players said their international duty, combined with coming work with the club, should allow them to be well-prepared for the start of the regular season March 2, when Montreal visits CenturyLink Field.

“Starting playing games early is really important,” Johansson said of his time away with Sweden. “I feel in really good shape.”

Still, there was some adjusting as even these veteran Sounders felt a bit like newcomers.

“It’s like coming to the first day of school: getting excited, meeting new guys,” Johansson said. “There are a lot of new faces. … Whenever you’re playing small-sided like this — 5 vs. 5 — there are three guys I’ve never met before. … But then again, part of the game is learning new players as you build into the team.”

The incoming players were confronted not only with the presence of new teammates but with the absence of some old ones.

Gone is forward Fredy Montero, who had been a teammate of Evans’ since the expansion season in 2009. Also gone is defender Jeff Parke, who often played just inside of Johansson.

“It’s the ebbs and flows of soccer,” Evans said. “You’re going to have a group of guys together for a number of years and then things end up changing. … We start fresh. It’s unfortunate to see top-quality guys go, but we will get the job done.”

The Sounders’ fourth international player — midfielder Mario Martinez — had an excused absence while tending to personal matters in Honduras. He will join the club this week in Tucson, Ariz.

Joseph returns to Chivas

Saturday also marked what might have been the final day of training with seven-time All-Star midfielder Shalrie Joseph.

Chivas USA gave the Sounders permission to work with Joseph for a couple of days. However, that agreement has ended, and so has Joseph’s time with the Sounders unless a trade is struck.

Schmid sounded skeptical about that happening.

“I’m sure we’re going to sit down and talk to them,” he said. “But there are a lot of hurdles to jump over and hoops to go through in order to make that happen. … I’m sure there’s a number of other teams that probably have an interest in him; but it’s all going to come down a little bit to what Chivas wants to do, what Shalrie wants to do as well. But at the end of the day, it’s something that it would be great if it happens, expectations are that it’s probably not going to happen.”

Added time

Central defender Patrick Ianni’s injured right foot remains in a protective boot. He was limited to work on a stationary bike Saturday. ? Servando Carrasco (concussion) is expected to be fully cleared by the time the club resumes training in Tucson on Tuesday. ? The club is off today and will fly to Arizona on Monday. Schmid said some players will be released before the team departs.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.