Sounders Injury Luck Worsens as Yeimar, Dotson Hurt in Training
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Seattle Sounders midfielder Hassani Dotson warms up ahead of a game against Austin FC on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Sounders FC Communications) [/caption]
The Seattle Sounders' luck just keeps getting worse.
Fresh off a five-game losing streak due in part to a rash of injuries, the Rave Green were looking to return standout center back Yeimar from a hamstring injury that's had him out since early spring.
But he and midfielder Hassani Dotson picked up new multi-week injuries at training this week, per coach Brian Schmetzer on Friday, to further dampen the spirits. Yeimar, who was coming off a hamstring injury and in line to return soon, picked up a calf injury to put him 4-6 weeks away from seeing the field
Seattle is 7-6-3 (eighth in Western Conference) as it heads into a rematch with a rival Portland Timbers side (6-8-3, 10th) this Saturday night at Providence Park.
Who Else is Unavailable?
Schmetzer also gave 3-4 week timelines for star midfielder Cristian Roldan (calf), who hasn't appeared since getting injured with the USMNT, and striker Jordan Morris (quad) is still a ways out.
Fullback Alex Roldan (hip) didn't get an injury update, likely signaling he'll miss more time. Star winger Pedro de la Vega (knee) is in full training after fracturing his kneecap last season, but won't be available for Saturday.
Projected Starting XI vs. Timbers
Reserve center backs Kim kee-Hee, who has barely played this season with various injuries, and Ryan Sailor (knee) will be available off the bench on minutes restrictions. This means Tacoma Defiance signees Antino Lopez and Stuart Hawkins will make a second straight start after a solid performance in last week's 1-0 loss at Philadelphia. Defiance call-up Gallatin Sandnes also played a reserve role last week to decent effect and could factor again with another thin Sounders squad this week.
The pairing of a young Snyder Brunell and a first-year Sounder in Dotson hasn't been well received by fans amid this losing streak, and Schmetzer's decision on who will replace Dotson while he and Cristian Roldan recover could be a pivotal choice going forward. As Schmetzer has said in the past, he likes to roll with a midfield pairing for a few weeks to evaluate it, so whoever is chosen will have a real chance to earn some credit toward carving out more minutes going forward.
Defiance signee Peter Kingston has played that defending midfield spot as well as the wing and the fullback spot this season. Considering his scrappy but raw defense and his dynamic dribbling ability, don't be surprised if Schmetzer gives the local kid from Kirkland a shot on Saturday.
The Timbers are 2-0-1 since the World Cup break and have managed some dynamic results against FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake over the past two games. Saturday will likely mark the last game for interim head coach Jack Cassidy before new coach Marti Cifuentes takes over, so expect a fiery atmosphere and a confident Timbers team this week.
Here's our projected XI for Saturday:
Striker
Danny Musovski
Left wing
Paul Rothrock
Center attacking mid
Albert Rusnak
Right wing
Jesus Ferreira
Defending midfielders
Snyder Brunell
Peter Kingston
Full backs
Nouhou
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi
Center backs
Antino Lopez
Stuart Hawkins
Keeper
Andrew Thomas
Subs
Osaze De Rosario
Paul Arriola
Sebastian Gomez
Gallatin Sandnes
Kim kee-Hee
