All of a sudden, Seattle Sounders FC are looking very thin defensively.
With a red card suspension for starter James Riley looming, the Sounders FC coaching staff devoted most of their training time this week addressing the marking back position. Zach Scott, who started the first five games of the season, looks ready to reclaim his place in the lineup as Seattle travels to FC Dallas Saturday night.
However, the other spot is in flux after a troubling hamstring injury to Nathan Sturgis, who will not be making the trip to Texas. The former Clemson player lost most of last season at Real Salt Lake with similar problems, hence the cautious approach from Seattle coach Sigi Schmid.
Earlier this week, Sturgis reported a little tightness in his hamstring and was pulled out of training. Both coach and player want to avoid a recurrence; the last thing the club needs is an extended absence at what could arguably be its thinnest position.
"We are not going to take him on the trip. We just feel right now he improved this week," Schmid said. "If this was a playoff game or something like that he could probably step out and play, but what we want to do is make sure we get through the season as well."
Sturgis has been doing fitness work in practice this week, along with Jarrod Smith, who "pulled up" in Seattle's reserve game against the PDL Vancouver Whitecaps.
"We don't want to put him into a situation where he has to miss the amount of time he missed last year," Schmid said of Sturgis.
Even with Sturgis out, Schmid does have plenty of options.
"We've had different guys who have played outside back. Evan Brown is an option back there," Schmid said. "Tyson Wahl is an option as a left outside back. Patrick Ianni is an option at right back as well. You saw in the game we actually dropped (Brad) Evans back there to make it work in the game. He can always drop back if we need it also.
"We can also bring (Taylor) Graham outside and move Jhon Kennedy (Hurtado) outside. So there's different ways to look at it for us. That's something we'll use this week to sort of decide."
Seattle's defense will be up against an FC Dallas attack that has failed to find its groove, with only seven goals scored. Four of those have come off the foot of Kenny Cooper, while fellow attacking threats Jeff Cunningham, David Ferreira and Dave van den Bergh have failed to find the net. FC Dallas have lost their past three games and sit in the cellar of the Western Conference.
For Seattle, Fredy Montero is once again available for selection. During his suspension for a red card received against Chicago, Major League Soccer's Player of the Month for March flew back home to Colombia for Mother's Day. The 21-year-old Colombian admitted to the Seattle Times that he is dealing with homesickness, but Schmid also said he practiced last week with renewed vigor.
Montero has not gotten on the scoresheet since opening the season with three goals in two games.
There is also one more injury in the Sounders FC roster. Backup goalkeeper Chris Eylander could be headed to the injured reserve with a left leg, according to Schmid. Schmid said the team is trying to determine if his recovery time necessitates a trip to the injured reserve.
In his place, Ben Dragavon will once again join the squad backing up Kasey Keller. Dragavon, who has played against Kansas City after Keller's red card, is a member of the MLS pool of goalkeepers and had been called up four times previously, including on First Kick 2009.
Andrew Winner is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
