Winless Sounders hope to get healthy soon

TUKWILA, Wash. – History suggests Sounders FC’s winless streak, whenever it ends, will be followed by a decent spell of success.

Seattle (0-3-2) has gone its first five MLS games this season without a win – a first for the franchise – and the Sounders claim five other winless slumps of four games or more since joining the league in 2009.

Most of those were followed by unbeaten run of at least three wins.

The last, a 0-4-5 drop-off in 2012, was followed by a 3-0-1 run.

Injury issues continue to be a major concern for the Sounders as they look to climb out of last place. Coach Sigi Schmid said that he is unsure if any of the team’s forwards who missed Saturday’s 0-0 tie with New England will be back this weekend in Colorado.

Eddie Johnson (hamstring), Obafemi Martins (knee) and David Estrada (eye) all practiced Monday.

Martins, however, was still limited, and Estrada hasn’t been fully cleared as doctors don’t want him to head the ball.

Prospects have improved in midfield, though, where designated player Shalrie Joseph is back from his calf injury and nearly 90-minutes fit.

Brad Evans, who missed the Revolution game with a calf injury, could also be in action against the Rapids. “I’m ready to go; 100 percent,” Evans told SoundersFC.com. “I thought maybe we’d push it for this past weekend, but I think we’re just playing it safe and smart. I felt like I probably could have gone, but I think it’s good to get a full week of training under the belt leading into Saturday.”