Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnák expected to return in next round

Already expecting to be playing without starting forward Jordan Morris in their second playoff match against Houston, the Seattle Sounders lost two more potential starters on Friday when Albert Rusnák and Danny Musovski picked up injuries.

Rusnák apparently felt some tightness in his hip and was held out more as a precaution, while Musovski suffered a quadriceps injury that could keep him out for an extended period.

That the Sounders still managed to beat the Dynamo in a penalty shootout to advance to the Western Conference semifinals was obviously a bit of a relief. The added bonus is that the Sounders will have about three weeks off before their next match. Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer was optimistic that Morris and Rusnák — who combined for 23 goals and 21 assists during the regular season — will be available for the next round.

“We’ll have to wait until final schedule comes out, but that’s plenty of time for those guys to ramp up again,” Schmetzer said, while also declining to speculate if they would have been available for a potential Game 3.

Despite missing his two leading scorers, Schmetzer said he was confident in the group he put out. Raúl Ruidíaz got the start at the No. 9 spot, while Cristian Roldan deputized as the main playmaker as Obed Vargas returned from suspension. Vargas and Roldan eventually switched spots in the second half.

“It was still a competitive lineup,” Schmetzer said, noting that Ruidíaz is the team’s all-time leading scorer. “This was not an easy game. The players we put on the field made plays. I wasn’t worried. I thought we had a legit chance.”