After the many injuries that the Seattle Sounders have already suffered at the beginning of the season, this is not the kind of news you want to hear. And it’s especially distressing because it is none other than midfielder Erik Friberg with an MCL strain in his right knee. Most fans agree that the Rave Green is especially vulnerable in the midfield right now and this news just thins out what strength we have there already. His injury occurred during the 14^th minute during last weekend’s match against Real Salt Lake during a tackle after Jordan Allen. Sometimes you have to wonder at a yellow card given during a tackle like that; it’s like a parent who punishes a kid for fighting after the kid gets beat up, right? Double punishment. And Friberg was JUST back in the game after taking time out from his head injury.

Striker Nelson Valdez also suffered a thigh injury during the same game, but it was not as bad as it looked according to Seattle Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid. He may even be back on the field to play this weekend—but if he’s not, Schmid assures fans that a backup will fill in for him so they can keep using the 4-3-3 lineup. He even went as far to say, “We believe in what we're doing and we’re gonna stay with it.” Hmmm. What do you think about sticking to the formation?

Jordan Morris and Stefan Frei also suffered minor injuries—the former hit defender Chris Wingert with a head on head collision while the latter had elbow inflammation—but they are ready and rearing to go this weekend already. Morris, Schmidt says, is fine, while Frei will be back at training on Wednesday this week. While the numbers continue to grow, at least most of the injuries are not as bad as they initially seemed.

Of course, it’s Brad Evans that the fans are chomping at the bit to have back in the game. Evans suffered a shoulder injury in the season opener and remains out until it’s healed. The good news is that he is working on fitness training this week so hopefully he will be healthy and back on the field in no time. We definitely need him back, too—fans are growing antsy and really laying into the management about the lack of veterans to back up the game without him around.

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