Sounders first team player tests positive for Covid-19

Seattle Sounders FC announced Monday night that a member of the first team had tested positive for Covid-19 in two consecutive tests. The unnamed player is self-isolated and follows league and local health department protocols. So far, all other players and staff have returned multiple negative tests and are asymptomatic.

The Sounders press release notes that the player was not in close contact with other team members or technical staff, leading the team’s medical staff to determine that the risk to the team as a whole has been handled. They also say they were able to conclusively determine that this case is unrelated to the positive test that a staff member returned earlier this month.

Several Sounders players who were recently absent on international duty have had teammates or coaches testing positive for Covid-19. Gustav Svensson represented Sweden, whose coach Janne Andersson had announced a positive test on November 11. Xavier Arreaga was with Ecuador, which experienced a larger outbreak that affected two LAFC players.

The Sounders are set to face LAFC in the MLS Cup playoffs tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7:30 p.m. PT at Lumen Field.