During the last regular season game (a road win over the Rapids), the Seattle Sounders didn’t have 18 healthy players. The combination of suspension, international duty, injury and a roster with unfilled spots meant that Brian Schmetzer’s substitute options were limited.
In an interesting twist, the club could not ink any of their S2 players to a short-term contract because they did not meet the requirements for an Extreme Hardship Call-up.
Extreme Hardship Call-ups
Clubs may add players to their roster in cases of "Extreme Hardship." Extreme Hardship exists when an MLS club has:
fewer than four available outfield substitutes (less than 14 outfield players available) OR has fewer than two goalkeepers available.