João Paulo is not yet at 100% fitness, but is close enough that Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said the midfielder would play at least some role in the Club World Cup quarterfinal match against Al Ahly on Saturday. The Brazilian last played a competitive match nearly nine months ago when he suffered an ACL tear in the Concacaf Champions League final, but he’s been a full participant in training for at least the last couple weeks and played 45 minutes in the Sounders’ most recent preseason match against Sweden’s Hammarby.
It wasn’t all positive news on the injury front, however, as Schmetzer also revealed that Obed Vargas won’t play against Al Ahly and all indications are that he’s unlikely to be available in any Club World Cup matches should the Sounders advance.