Levesque is on a roll

TUKWILA — As Sounders FC prepares for this weekend’s game in Portland, forward Roger Levesque is once again in the spotlight.

This time, however, the focus on Levesque has to do with a lot more than his ties to a heated rivalry. Yes, Levesque will be the focus of Timbers fans’ most offensive chants and nastiest signs on Sunday, and yes he will be asked time and time again this week about why he is so loathed in the Rose City, but if that’s all you’re focused on, you’re missing the point.

Lost in the buildup to the rivalry game is the fact that Levesque, whose ties to Seattle go back to 2003 when he joined the USL Sounders, is playing some of the best soccer of his career. He is in line to start his third straight game for Sounders FC since scoring two goals off the bench in a 4-2 win over New York last month.

“Roger has played well over the last three games that he’s been out there, the one as a reserve and the other two starting,” Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said. “In L.A., I thought he did a good job holding the ball up for us, so right now he’s holding onto that spot for sure.”

So go ahead and ask Levesque about the rivalry. He’s sure to give a funny answer about how he became public enemy No. 1 in Portland, or about what he might or might not do if he scores Sunday: “I’m not going to pick a fight with (chainsaw-wielding mascot) Timber Joey, especially if he’s got that chainsaw fired up.”

But don’t overlook the fact that, with 587 minutes played, Levesque already has achieved a career high in game time with almost half a season remaining. If he does start Sunday, it will be Levesque’s fifth start in a league game, matching a career high.

Levesque was drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes in 2003 out of Stanford, but prior to making the Sounders FC roster in 2009, he spent almost all of his career in the USL trying to make his way back to the top level of U.S. professional soccer. So even though he’s far too humble to focus on himself, these are special times for Levesque.

“The ebbs and flows of a season, sometimes you’re in form, sometimes the goals are going in, sometimes they’re not,” he said. “I’m just excited to be a part of it, be out there playing.

“I’ve enjoyed playing and combining with the guys and just getting results. We’ve been on a good run here the last few weeks and hopefully we can keep it going.”

And Levesque of all people knows there are no guarantees he’ll stay in the lineup. For one, Schmid could change his mind over the course of the next few days and put Nate Jaqua or Mike Fucito in the lineup Sunday, and secondly, O’Brian White, a starter at the start of the season, will be back soon from the blood clot that sidelined him in April. Seattle could also add a forward when the summer transfer window opens on July 15. But regardless of what happens, Levesque will keep working hard, playing whatever role is asked of him.

“I always want to try to get better, and whether that’s being in the starting lineup, coming off the bench, playing in reserve games at right back, which I’ve spent some time doing this season,” he said. “I still love the game and want to play and want to contribute. I want the best for this team and these guys and this organization, whatever that means.”

White nearing return

Forward O’Brian White, who has been out since having surgery in late April to remove a blood clot from his leg, is training at full speed, and could return to game action in Seattle’s July 16 game against Colorado.

“I think Sunday is probably a little early for him still,” Schmid said. “But hopefully by the time we run into Colorado he might be able to come in off the bench. We just have to see how he does with this week and the beginning part of next week.”

White, who Seattle acquired in an offseason trade, was tied with Steve Zakuani for the team lead with two goals early in the season before the blood clot was discovered.

Open Cup semifinal possibilities

Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy in a July 13 U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal, and if Sounders FC is victorious, it would either host a semifinal against FC Dallas, or travel to Salt Lake City. U.S. Soccer announced Thursday that if Seattle and Dallas meet in a semifinal, the game would be at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. If Real Salt Lake beats Dallas in the quarterfinals, however, Seattle would travel to Utah. The Open Cup semifinals will take place on Aug. 30.

Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.