Seattle Sounders Sweating On Osvaldo Alonso’s Status

Nov 10, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso (6) dribbles upfield against FC Dallas during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Sigi Schmid’s Seattle Sounders will be hoping that midfielder Osvaldo Alonso will be available to anchor one of the most potent midfields in Major League Soccer when the Sounders take on Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Alonso trained and rehabbed at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. but has been able to take part in some light running and outdoor training. The hope is that Alonso will be available, but Schmid is wary of taking any chances.

“He’s coming along as we expected,” Schmid told MLSSoccer.com’s Ari Liljenwall. “The progress is pretty much in line with no setbacks. Each day [we’ll know] a little bit more. We’re very happy with Ozzie’s training. He definitely wants to play.”

Schmid does have competent options in the midfield in Michael Azira and Andy Rose, but if Alonso is healthy, he would be the first choice the Sounders manager will go to. Rose has not started for Seattle since Sept. 24 but is ready to fill in if necessary.

“Something that has been very important throughout the season for us is that different guys have stepped up at different moments,” Rose said. “It hasn’t necessarily been a two-man show from the team. Everybody else has come at big times, at important times and done their business.”

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“I hope Alonso heals quickly,” Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez said. “I think he’s huge for them. I want them to be at full strength because it makes for a better game.”

Sounders forward Clint Dempsey thinks that a better game will indeed be on the cards, with his talent on showcase alongside Obafemi Martins, Gonzalez, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane.

“I’m definitely excited about the games coming up,” Dempsey told SoundersFC.com’s Shane Evans. “It’s an opportunity to get the right results and to go to a final. That’s something that this club hasn’t done in MLS, so I’m looking forward to trying to win a Cup.

“[Donovan and Keane] can score goals, and if you give them the ball with time and space, they also can pick players out and create assists. We have players on our team that can do the same, but they’ve shown throughout the season that they perform well.

“We need to try to limit the opportunities they create, in terms of trying to make it difficult for them to get good looks in front of goal. At the same time, we have to have the confidence to go forward, and when we have opportunities to make things happen in the final third, be confident and brave enough to take those chances.

“This is the best time to still be playing because we have a lot to play for in trying to push for an MLS Cup. Hopefully we’re able to get the job done. That would make the offseason even more sweet.”