Shorthanded Seattle to turn to youthful lineup against Austin FC

“Wade Webber [the head coach] at Defiance we play the same system so that the players understand what the general tactic is, ”said Schmetzer. “Of course the level of competition they would be exposed to if they got into a game is a little higher, so you try to simplify the game for the young children, and you just want them to take advantage of their youthful exuberance and excitement, to participate in a professional game, to somehow bring it into play [the game] and some of the adrenaline is converted into energy.

“Of course they are [nervous]; If they weren’t nervous, I’d worry if they didn’t have butterflies right before kick-off. And you just try to help them get used to the game and their job when they get on the field is to work hard and represent the club and themselves in a positive way. “

Austin, who is pursuing a playoff spot in his first season, has his own injury problems ahead of the competition with six players excluded.

Still, that can’t compete with the unavailabilities of the nearly complete lineup for Seattle. However, there could be some positive developments on the injury front soon. Schmetzer said strikers Will Bruin (knee) and O’Neill (hip flexor) are both “pretty close to returning” and that standout playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro (knee), who only played 24 minutes for the whole season, should do fieldwork with assistant coach Gonzalo Pineda on Friday. In the meantime, the coach said he was confident that they will tackle this chaotic and tight stretch.

“I’m very confident and comfortable with the group I’m going to get out of there and we will turn around on Saturday and set up another strong line-up against Sporting KC,” said Schmetzer.