PHILADELPHIA — Seattle Sounders midfielder Víctor Rodríguez will miss Sunday’s match against the Philadelphia Union (10 a.m. PT; ESPN, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM) in anticipation of the birth of his first child.
Rodríguez flew home to Barcelona on Thursday to be with his wife as she prepares for labor. Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer addressed Rodríguez’s situation at training from the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“We knew this ahead of time when we signed him,” Schmetzer said. “This was already planned well in advance. The only thing I can’t tell you is whether it’s a boy or a girl. We’re very happy for he and his wife and we expect him back after the birth. He should be ready for the Dallas game [on Oct. 15].”
Víctor Rodríguez scores his first goal as a Sounder.
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 28, 2017
1-0 | #SEAvVAN live on JOEtv! pic.twitter.com/63w9kITc41
Rodríguez opened his MLS goalscoring account on Wednesday, scoring the first goal in a commanding 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. He also later assisted on Nicolás Lodeiro’s tally.