Another tough blow for the Seattle Sounders.
In the first half of Saturday's 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field, rookie midfielder Handwalla Bwana left the match with a foot injury. It was a crushing moment for the young player that also adds to a growing list of injured or unavailable Sounders, particularly in the attack. Jordan Morris, Will Bruin and VÃctor RodrÃguez are all out with injuries, while Nicolás Lodeiro remains with the Uruguayan national team ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup next month.
Prior to his exit in the 33rd minute, Bwana was perhaps the most dangerous player on the pitch for the Rave Green. He lurked near the top of the field with forward Clint Dempsey, finding space behind the back line and running at defenders.
"I thought the kid was playing well," Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said after the match. "He was dangerous, he was breaking people down. That hurt us."
More information on his injury will be made available next week, and his status is critical considering the next month features five MLS matches and the start of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action.
Bwana, who has made five starts in eight matches this season, scored his first career goal against Toronto FC earlier this month.
"His technical ability is very clean," Schmetzer said after a recent training session, according to a story on MLSsoccer.com. "He just needs to figure out how to be a little more goal-dangerous, which will come with experience. Sometimes it comes with just acclimating to [your teammates]. Sometimes that synergy takes a little to build."
The Sounders return to action next Saturday against RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium at 6:30 p.m. PT.
