TORRANCE, Wash. — Seattle’s Jeff Parke is likely out of the Sounders' Sunday night clash with Los Angeles Galaxy (9 p.m. ET, ESPN/Deportes), head coach Sigi Schmid revealed on Saturday. The central defender is attempting to return from an ankle sprain suffered in the first leg of the semifinal series.
Schmid said he would speak with his trainer again on Saturday about Parke’s availability.
“We’ll see today at training ... but there’s a greater probability of him not playing than playing,” Schmid said.
If Parke is unable to go, veteran Tyrone Marshall would be the most likely replacement. The Jamaican is a 13-year MLS vet and provides Seattle with an excellent back up plan, but he found himself on the outside looking in as Parke and Patrick Ianni created a solid partnership in the second half of the season.
“It’s a situation where we went on a very good run with [Jeff] Parke and [Patrick] Ianni at center backs and they continued to play well,” Schmid said. “Tyrone was knocking on door but because of the success we were having, there was no need to change.”
Marshall also provides grit. The 13-year veteran has a reputation as one of the league’s most physical players, something that could come in handy against LA’s feisty midfield pairing from the first leg: Juninho and Dema Kovalenko.
Marshall also has experience in Los Angeles. He won MLS championships with the Galaxy in 2002 and 2005.
