A three-game week means the Sounders were out preparing for the game against Philadelphia tomorrow. For probably the first time all year (I’m sure someone will correct me), the Sounders had every available healthy player out at training. Only Jordan Morris and Felix Chenkam were not involved, and even they were out at training working their own rehabilitation protocols. Unfortunately, coach Brian Schmetzer wasn’t scheduled to speak today, so we weren’t able to ask him for his thoughts on the long, strange trip it’s been to have a healthy group to choose from.
Having a full team presents some interesting questions in the context of having two games in five days, as there is sure to be some rotation. The question is whether we see it tomorrow, or Sunday versus Los Angeles. Maybe Schmetzer surprises us and decides not to mess with what’s working, though as they have just finally gotten healthy, one would presume they’ll do what they can to keep everyone that way by rotating where needed.
Ozzie Alonso said after practice that he’s anxious to continue the good times rolling tomorrow, and that his relationship with Gustav Svensson since his return from the World Cup has been important in this run of good form.
We also caught up with Brad Smith, who is acclimating well on and off the pitch. He said his family is mostly settled, and he’s even been able to do a bit of exploration around the Puget Sound. He’s obviously happy with what he’s been able to contribute on the field and having never been a part of a nine-game winning streak, is enjoying every minute of it. He was especially happy to be a part of winning a trophy, though he admitted he knew little about it as he was preparing for the Vancouver game.
As noted above, the main question will center around the lineup over the next two games. It’s tough to gauge how Schmetzer will line up the team, but he has plenty of options, which is a pleasant change from the beginning of the year.