TUKWILA, Wash. — Seattle Sounders interim head coach Brian Schmetzer said Friday that there is a “slim possibility” that captain Brad Evans will be healthy enough to play this weekend vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps (1 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, ROOT Sports (outside Seattle), KIRO 97.3 El Rey 1360AM). Schmetzer had mentioned earlier in the week that he fully expected Evans to be healthy enough to play.
“I’m not going to rule anything out,” Schmetzer said. “He’s a game-time decision. I’ll see what he feels like tomorrow.”
Evans has been battling lower back pain and was a late scratch in the Sounders’ 1-1 draw in San Jose against the Earthquakes last week. He has appeared in 21 of Seattle’s 27 matches this season, and the club is 1-3-2 this season in games without Evans.
Forward Jordan Morris and defender Joevin Jones came out late to practice as well for preventative reasons ahead of the match on Saturday.
“If a guy doesn’t train, it’s not ideal, but at this point in the season, the starters that have nicks and aches, I’m going to hold them out so that they’re ready for game day," Schmetzer said. "That’s just my philosophy.”
