Notebook: Clint Dempsey, Nelson Valdez questionable for Sounders

Sounders forwards Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez may not be available for Seattle’s trip to Colorado on Saturday, as both are suffering from mild injuries that could lead coach Sigi Schmid to leave them at home to rest this weekend.

Three things to watch for: Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids

Dempsey did not train outside at all on Friday, and Schmid said that he was having a bit of a problem with his groin and was going to be evaluated before the team travels. Valdez, on the other hand, practiced for most of Friday’s session, but went inside early after getting looked at by some trainers. Schmid said Valdez was feeling some tightness in the same leg that kept him out of the match at Houston a few weeks ago.

Both seemed to be last-minute decisions before the team flight to Denver.

Here are a few other Sounders notes:

• Erik Friberg, who has been out with the MCL strain he suffered in Week 2, was a full participant in sessions on both Thursday and Friday. Schmid suggested on Thursday that Friberg would be available if he was able to fully train on both days.

• While Andreas Ivanschitz landed on the MLS Team of the Week for his two assists against Philadelphia, S2 defender Michael Nelson was named to the USL Team of the Week after his role in helping S2 get its first win of the season against the Colorado Switchbacks earlier this week. Aaron Kovar scored the lone goal in the 1-0 win last Sunday.

• Former Sounders forward Steve Zakuani has an impressive lineup for his second annual Zakuani & Friends Charity Match, which will take place on Sunday, May 15 at Starfire Sports. So far, Zakuani has lined up former USMNT stars like Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson and Oguchi Onyewu, Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka and former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Tickets start at $25 and all proceeds go to Zakuani’s charity Kingdom Hope.

Related

Sounders snap club-record losing streak with 1-1 draw vs CincySounders fall to Austin 2-1 for 8th straight lossSounders fall to Whitecaps 2-0 for club-record 7th straight MLS lossLos Angeles FC co-owner Larry Berg will be next MLS commissionerLate goal by Timbers hands Sounders a 6th straight lossSounders fall 1-0 to Philadelphia for 5th straight loss