Thursday, June 24, 2010

SOUNDERS FC: Nate Jaqua removed from DL


The news Seattle has been waiting months for has finally arrived, hopefully, with some goals in tow. The Sounders made a press release today announcing that forward Nate Jaqua was removed from the Disabled List and is immediately eligible to participate in MLS competition.

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Jaqua is a nine-year veteran of the MLS and played for the Houston Dynamo before being selected by Seattle in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft. After joining the Rave Green, Jaqua started in 27 of his 28 appearances in 2009 netting career highs with nine goals and seven assists.

In contrast to his success last season, Jaqua has yet to play a MLS match in 2010. He was placed on the DL March 25, which required that he miss the first six games of the season, and underwent surgery to repair a lower abdominal fascial tear on April 8.

Jaqua would have been eligible to rejoin his team on May 2 versus the Columbus Crew, but team officials decided to delay his return. If he does play on Sunday, Jaqua will have missed 91 days of the MLS season. That is a large chunk of the season to miss and will have an effect on his touch. Do not expect the 29-year-old forward to be up to full speed for several more matches.

An injury severe enough to require surgery is serious business and because it was to his core, Jaqua must be careful. Trying to force a result could restrain the injury and further delay his recovery.

Jaqua’s return will be felt in set pieces where his 6’1” frame will give the Sounders a height advantage. Unfortunately, the timing of the return could be better. With Blaise Kufo set to join the team within a few weeks, Seattle will have a bit of a logjam at the striker position.

Reach Galen Helmgren at nextseasonsports@gmail.com