Adding to the frustration of back-to-back home losses, the Sounders will also be without defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado for the rest of the season. During the waning minutes of Seattle’s 1-0 loss to San Jose Saturday the 26-year-old Columbian tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
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Sounders FC General Manager Adrian Hanauer was disappointed but upbeat about the team despite loosing their best defender.
"We're definitely shattered to lose Jhon and his presence on the team, his one-on-one defending, his quality. But we're deep at center back. We have to go forward and make the best of a bad situation."
While the loss of the 2009 MLS All-Star weakens the defensive line opening Seattle to attacks, it could not have come at a better time for the club. The Sounders’ next game is a friendly against Boca Juniors of Argentina and will give coaches an opportunity to try different combinations in the backfield. In past matches against Chelsea and Barcelona, the Sounders have played as many of their reserve players as possible. Expect more of the same on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, the Sounders are facing a short week, playing in Colorado versus the Rapids on Saturday. Thankfully, Seattle has plenty of versatile players. Patrick Ianni, Taylor Graham and Tyson Wahl all have the ability to play the position vacated by Hurtado. Coach Sigi Schmid might want to take a look at recently signed Jeff Parke, who joined the roster for the game against San Jose, but did not see any playing time.
Reach Galen Helmgren at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
