

What has been an offseason in the making will finally begin to take shape today on the practice field for the Seattle Sounders. Today will mark the first day in the season, the team has had all their weapons assembled together, and ready to play at full strength.

When Djimi Traore, and Shalrie Joseph were acquired earlier in the year, neither was prepared to play immediately. Traore was in playing shape sooner and has seen his playing time grow, as he is now an expected starter at the center back position. Joseph, with some disspointing surprise, is just now getting to full strength and could be expected to start on Saturday. Obafemi Martins, who flew from Spain to Seattle, played in the Portland Timbers game, and then caught a flight to Nigeria, within 36 hours so he could show his dedication to his new team, will be at his first practice today since being acquired almost two weeks ago. Eddie Johnson returned to Seattle yesterday after playing 35 minutes for the US National team against Mexico, on Tuesday night in a 0-0 draw. Mario Martinez will also be on the practice field after being called up to the Honduran National team. Brad Evans was in full practice mode on Tuesday after sitting out last Saturday’s match against San Jose with a calf injury.

So this marks the true start of the season. From this point forward there should be no excuses for why the team is unable to perform. For many it is what they were waiting for, sliding off the first three games as a pre-season warm-up because all the horses were not in the stable. Well, that ends today. Coach Sigi Schmid will be responsible for coordinating the most talented Sounders roster to date. Results are expected immediately as the team has gotten off to a slow start at 0-2-1 and many anticipate the results to change starting this Saturday, with an offensive explosion against an always tough Real Salt Lake club.