Sounders FC forward Nate Jaqua is expected to miss an additional 4 to 6 weeks as a result of undergoing surgery earlier this week. Jaqua missed all of preseason training with a lower abdomen injury, and remains in Philadelphia and is expected to rejoin practice and training in Seattle in mid-May at best.
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Jaqua posed as a physical threat on Sounders FC, rounding off at 6-feet-4-inches he has a 2 inch advantage over any other Sounders striker. He joined Seattle from Houston in the expansion draft, and he posted career bests last season with nine goals and seven assists, and is most acclaimed for his performance in the U.S. Open Cup last summer.
The Sounders have limited options to fill the offensive end of the pitch, as speedster Steve Zakuani and role-player Roger Levesque have made the starting lineups in each match to begin the season. The squad will be more equipped towards mid-season, not only anticipating the return of Jaqua, but also debuting newcomer Blaise Nkufo from Switzerland.
Nkufo is currently fulfilling his World Cup commitments for the Swiss national team, and will provide plenty of experience and composure (a la Freddie Ljunberg) for an otherwise youthful, energetic team.
Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
