The Seattle Sounders had six players competing internationally this past week as part of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, while the rest of the squad enjoyed lighter training and a few days off with a bye weekend.
Now, with the international break over and the players on national team duty due back Wednesday and Thursday, the Sounders can turn their attention to their pivotal match on Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, KIRO 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM). But how quickly interim head coach Brian Schmetzer can reintegrate them back into the squad will go a long way in determining the outcome this weekend.