Sigi Schmid says Sounders need to support Marco Pappa

TUKWILA, Wash. – It has been more than a month since Marco Pappa started a game for the Seattle Sounders, so his unavailability again this week isn’t a new lineup challenge.

However, the reasons for this absence are new: arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence, and an MLS-mandated substance-abuse program.

Pappa didn’t train with his teammates Tuesday at Starfire Sports Complex, and the reason for that was one of several topics general manager Garth Lagerwey said he wasn’t free to discuss.

Lagerwey was reluctant to add detail beyond what the club already had announced through a press release: Pappa had been arrested Sunday for investigation of DUI and speeding, and that he is ineligible to play until the league completes an investigation and Pappa completes an assessment by the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.

Neither Lagerwey nor coach Sigi Schmid would estimate of how long Pappa might be out.

Both implied the Sounders expect to be without him for their next match, Saturday at Montreal.

“We haven’t had him for the last couple of weeks, so it really doesn’t change much of anything,” Schmid said.

However, Schmid acknowledged that the circumstances of this absence is different from any injury or Pappa’s recent duty with the Guatemala national team.

“He’s a teammate and we need to support him,” he said. “Right now he needs our support to come through this at the other end as a stronger person.”

Tiki-taka

Schmid estimated that goalkeeper Stefan Frei (shoulder) went through 75 percent of training Tuesday and forward Obafemi Martins (leg) about 60 percent. He didn’t estimate their likelihood of playing this weekend.