Even though Seattle Sounders preseason training camp doesn’t officially open for about another week, players have already been gathering at Starfire Sports Complex for unofficial sessions. One player who hasn’t been there is Nouhou, who is expected to compete for the starting left back position this year.

His absence isn’t due to a lack of desire, though, as a report out of Cameroon says the 21-year-old is currently stuck there after misplacing his passport. Apparently the plan was for Nouhou to fly out on Monday, but now it’s unclear when he’ll be able to return to Seattle.

An extended delay would obviously be a setback for Nouhou, especially since the door is seemingly wide open for him to claim the starting spot. Nouhou got off to a bit of slow start last year -- his first in MLS after spending 2016 with S2 — but by summer he was earning regular minutes. He ended up making 19 appearances and 10 starts in the regular season and started the first four playoff games at left back, with Joevin Jones pushed into the attack.

With Jones off to join Darmstadt in the 2. Bundesliga, Nouhou likely would have opened camp as the presumed starter. If he misses time, that will almost certainly present an opportunity for the newly acquired Waylon Francis to move ahead of him.