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Sounders Notes: Fire clash awaits, White returns and more

O'Brian White (Getty)

By CALEB SONNELAND

Coming off a big victory over Real Salt Lake at the Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday, Seattle is now preparing for a "resurgent" Chicago Fire side that changed managerial hands over the weekend.  

Former Mexican National Team defender Carlos de los Cobos was ousted in favor of Frank Klopas, previously employed as the club's Technical Director, as the Fire prepare to play host to the Sounders. 

To some, the coaching change may seem like a hindrance for Chicago, as Klopas must implement his methods immediately in order to yield results on the field, a process which can take weeks.  But to Seattle coach Sigi Schmid, the Fire is a team to be feared due to Klopas' appointment.

"Obviously, when teams change coaches, the team usually has a resurgence of motivation.  Every player feels like it's a fresh opportunity, and 'I've got a chance to show this coach that I belong on the field.'"

Despite what may seem like a period of instability, Schmid has no question that the players will feel the desire to leave it all on the field for their new coach.

"Our expectation is that on Saturday they're going to come out with an immense amount of energy.  They're going to be buzzing all over the place."

Captain Kasey Keller was quick to echo his coach's concern.

"There's always a case of that in every sport.  You never want to play the team that changes its coach the next game, because there seems to be some sort of new motivation, but we're not too worried about those sort of things.  We know that if we got out and perform the way we are capable of doing, then we're going to give ourselves a chance every game."

WHITE WORKING HIS WAY BACK

Seattle has seen several of its star players fall victim to injury, but a small boost came Tuesday morning when Jamaican striker O'Brian White spent some time jogging around the field with fitness coach David Tenney alongside Alvaro Fernandez.

White had surgery in April to remove a serious blood clot from his left leg, and it has been unclear if the Sounders will welcome the striker back at all this season.  Even with his progress, Schmid wasn't certain about the details of his recovery.

"[White] was able to get out and jog around a little bit, but it's too early for any timetable for him.  We need to see how he does with a little activity, make sure there's no coagulation and then they can proceed to push him further."

Still, the Sounders head coach was encouraged by his progress.

"It's definitely a step forward," Schmid said. "The first stage was biking and there were no setbacks, so today it was walking and jumping and bit to see how he responds to that.  Maybe light jogging is in his future in the next couple of days.  

"It was great to see him out there.  He's always got a smile on his face and it was good to see him in the locker room as well."

With White out, Nate Jaqua has seen the majority of the Jamaican's time, but the big striker has been unable to register a point so far with all his minutes.  With Mike Fucito looking lively in his last two outings and Fredy Montero notching an assist (albeit, one he didn't know much about) against Real Salt Lake, Jaqua could be in for some time on the pine.

Without a target man up top for the Sounders, White's recovery and possible participation in the tail-end of the season could be that much more crucial for Seattle.

But the job at hand is nursing the striker, who has lost 14 lbs since undergoing surgery, back to health.

Fellow striker Fredy Montero underwent wrist surgery in late March but will see a doctor on Thursday to determine whether or not the cast that he was worn since the operation can come off.

Montero was benched for Seattle's previous match against Real Salt Lake, and when asked if he had seen what he wanted from Montero since being dropped, coach Schmid said, "It's been a short period of time.   I thought he came off the bench and helped us [vs. RSL], so those were positive moments."

Will he start this weekend?

"I haven't made up my mind as to what I'm going to do this weekend [with Fredy]," Schmid said.

Comments

  1. White was cleared to begin preparations to play (by the docs) about two weeks ago. The timetable is probably mid-July, give or take a bit, depending on rehab and how he responds.

    Reply
  2. How can the dude give up soccer and exercise and lose 14 lbs? He should write a book. I’d have looked like Sigi by now.

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  3. I didn’t know where to put this (I dont’ have twitter), but just wanted to let you knowI thought your Fox piece on WarnerBlazer was fantastic. Best, deepest column by far, as I’ve been starved for good information on what’s really going on, and no one is really chasing this down from a CONCACAF angle. Please write the book on these guys. Keep up the good work.

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