Seattle Sounders: Osvaldo Alonso has Surgery for Groin Injury
By Paul Taylor
Seattle Sounders: Osvaldo Alonso has Surgery for Groin Injury
With just under a month to go until the new season, Seattle Sounders fans received some good news in respect of Osvaldo Alonso. The Sounders confirmed that the midfielder underwent successful surgery for his right groin injury.
More from Emerald City Swagger
- Seattle Seahawks: To rest or not to rest, that is the question
- Washington State Football: What you need to know for 2018 Alamo Bowl
- Washington Basketball: 3 takeaways from Huskies win over Sacramento St.
- Seattle Seahawks: 12s still waiting to exhale
- Seattle Seahawks: 4 Takeaways from 26-23 Loss to the 49ers
Given that Alonso has hardly participated in preseason training, this represents a positive step. As reported by soundersfc.com, the procedure was carried out by Dr. William Hutchinson Jr. during the weekend, and the four-time U.S. Open Cup winner will begin his rehabilitation with immediate effect.
While the injury was never considered to be too serious, there will still be a certain amount of relief within the Seattle organization. The four-time Sounders Season MVP will be a vital component as the team aims to finally reach the summit in 2015 and win the MLS Cup.
The three-time MLS All-Star has been a revelation since first coming to Seattle in 2009, and is arguably their most important player. Renowned for his tackling, passing and ability to cover the field, fans refer to Alonso as the “Honey Badger”, due to his tenacious style of play.
Oct 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso (6) after the game between the Sounders FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The 29-year old has started 168 regular season games in total for the Sounders, adding six goals and 14 assists. He has also played 16 playoff games during his tenure in Seattle, scoring three times.
Despite the Sounders initially being vague about Alonso’s injury, it isn’t the same one that plagued him during last season. Despite playing all but one game in the regular season (which he missed due to a yellow card suspension), he was forced to come off during the second leg of the Western Conference semi-final against FC Dallas and missed the first leg of the Western Conference final against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Sounders are hopeful that Alonso will be ready for the home opener on March 8th, against the New England Revolution. In the event he doesn’t play, potential candidates to replace him include Michael Azira (who filled in for Alonso during the playoffs last season) and Brad Evans.