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a month ago when Brian Schmezer –Seattle Sounders technical director– was asked about the physical condition of Raul Ruidíazgave a blunt answer: “We want to be cautious. He is important to the team and we want to have him from the start”. However, despite the attempts of the ‘Flea’ to be available for the start of the Major League Soccer 2023 (MLS), he was only able to debut this Saturday in the 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
The American strategist saw that the national attacker really wanted to play –as he revealed at a press conference– and gave him a few minutes to recover sensations. Let’s remember that the former Universitario de Deportes player suffered from a muscular overload in his hamstrings, which sidelined him from the light debut with the ‘Sounders’.
The last time he played was on February 4 for the Club World Cup, in the 1-0 loss against Al Ahly SC of Egypt in the quarterfinals. Since then, the Peruvian has not played for a month and could not even participate in the friendly matches of his team in the Carolina Challenge Cup.
Thus, Ruidíaz entered through the Héber at 81 ‘when the match was already resolved. Precisely the Brazilian – who already has two goals in the season – had scored one of the goals of the victory at 58 ‘. Although the ‘Flea’ did not have much contact with the ball, he seemed very mobile and fully recovered.
Raúl Ruidíaz is in his sixth season with the Seattle Sounders. (Photo: Seattle Sounders)
Schmetzer explained at a press conference that it is not entirely certain that Raúl will start again as he was last season, since Héber, who recently arrived at the club from New York City, has adapted quickly and has already begun to score goals. This means that the Peruvian will have to work twice as hard if he wants to recover the title in the ‘green’ team.
How are Seattle Sounders doing in MLS?
Seattle Sounders are off to a very promising start in MLS 2023. After having debuted with a victory over the Colorado Rapids (4-0) and after the recent victory at home against Real Salt Lake (2-0), those led by Brian Schmetzer are in first position in the Western Conference with six points. Next week they will visit Cincinnati FC at the TQL Stadium, in the match scheduled for Saturday March 11 from 7:30 pm (Peruvian time).
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