Seattle Sounders: Four Keys Ahead of Portland Timbers Clash
By Paul Taylor
3) Injuries and Suspensions
Mar 14, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender Chad Marshall (14) clears the ball as teammate midfielder Lamar Neagle (27) holds off San Jose Earthquakes midfielder JJ Koval (15) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
The Sounders go into the game with a pretty clean bill of health. The only player missing through injury is Damion Lowe, who is out with a left ankle sprain.
The one major setback is the loss of Chad Marshall, who has started all but one game this season for the Sounders. The MLS disciplinary committee suspended him for one game, after a late challenge on the Colorado Rapids’ Vicente Sánchez last weekend.
By contrast, the Timbers have several injury concerns, with five players currently missing. In particular, the two main absences this season have been two-time MLS All-Star Will Johnson and fellow midfield star, Diego Valeri (although head coach Caleb Porter indicated that Valeri may be available off the bench).
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