Replacing the Columbian striker is easier said
than done. Aaron Weinberg / NSS
After contracting the flu, star forward Fredy Montero may be unable to play on Saturday against Toronto FC.
This may leave head coach Sigi Schmid with a dilemma if he has to replace Montero on the pitch.
While the Sounders have other options at forward, they aren't deep at the position. In reality, Schmid will have to choose between three players to partner with Nate Jaqua when it comes to selecting the forward line on Saturday.
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Montero, who allegedly is suffering from flu symptoms, could still recover tonight and head to Toronto tomorrow to join his teammates. However, if that doesn't happen, Steve Zakuani, Roger Levesque, or Sebastian Le Toux could see substantial minutes up front.
It is most likely that Zakuani would be moved up from left midfield. If Sanna Nyassi is healthy enough to play, then he could cover for Zakuani on the left, allowing the first overall pick to start his first game at his most natural position in MLS.
If Nyassi can't go, then Le Toux could be moved to partner with Jaqua, as the Frenchman played forward with the USL Sounders. If Schmid decides to go that route, then Freddie Ljungberg could be slotted into the right outside midfield role with Evans and Alonso in the middle.
If all the above options fail to make sense to Schmid, then fan favorite and long-time Sounder Roger Levesque could get the start. Though he has seen very limited minutes thus far in the season, the native of Maine has been a solid performer for the USL Sounders for years, and deserves a chance to show what he can do.
The best case scenario is obviously for Montero, the reigning Player of the Month in MLS, to be healthy enough to play. However, if he's not, there are other viable options available.
Reach Alden Walcon at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
