Photo by Jennifer Buchanan/USA TODAY Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
The Seattle Sounders strikeforce has been weakened in a major way for at least the next few weeks.
Sounders coach Sigi Schmid revealed Thursday that forward Obafemi Martins will miss “somewhere between three and six weeks” after being stretchered off with a groin injury in the Sounders’ U.S. Open Cup loss to the Portland Timbers on Tuesday.
Schmid added that the issue, which is to Martin’s adductor muscle, will not require surgery.
The loss of the Nigerian striker may further harm the Sounders’ attack due to the potential absence of Clint Dempsey, who may be suspended after being sent off for ripping up the referee’s notebook in the Timbers loss. A decision on Dempsey’s status is expected before the Sounders’ next match on Saturday.
Martins has dealt with other injuries this season, but has played in 11 of Seattle’s 15 games this season while providing seven goals and five assists.
Forward Chad Barrett, who seems most likely to replace Martins in the lineup, is reportedly close to returning from a left hamstring strain.
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How will the Sounders fare without Martins? Do you see the club struggling mightily without him and possibly Dempsey?
Share your thoughts below
SBI please note that Obefemi Martins being injured is not a headline.
The leading a,candidate for MVP going down for 6 weeks is a headline.
Limey hates Seattle…? Get in line
I don’t hate Seattle I think that they will become a powerhouse team in MLS, which is a good thing. I’m also an Obafemi fan I love the way he plays but it seems like he has always had injury issues, even back when he was at Newcastle and certainly when he first came to Seattle.
That’s all, no hating over here.
Just curious, is Morris under contract with Seattle? I know they own his mls rights, but I don’t see him signing with MLS at this point. He seems like he could at least jump to holland or France maybe.
he is not under contract. has been offered one, but turned it down allegedly to stay in school
Time for an unpaid summer internship for the college student Morris.
He should cool it on the backflips…
Or cool it on the Nagbe tackles. How many time did Seattle foul Nagbe?
Martins fouled Nagbe exactly 0 times. Please tell me how your comment relates to the topic at hand?
Since we’re here….Nagbe gets hacked far too often, but you’re calling the kettle black when Chara is on your team, who far and away led the league in fouls committed last season (27% more fouls than second most).
It relates to the topic because Martins got injured tackling the ball from Nagbe. I thought it was yet another foul on Nagbe but you are correct after I saw it in slow motion Martins did not foul Nagbe when he got injured.
Although Neagle did drill Nagbe in the back with his forearm then went onto chip at his ankles. Then the play proceeded to Martin’s running up the back of Nagbe.
Shame Martin’s has such a serious injury. Dude is relentlessly driven with the ball
This sucks.