The best ability is availability

De la Vega is just the latest in what has been a rash of injuries that have decimated the Sounders this year. A recent study by Sounder at Heart suggested the Sounders have been among the most injury-prone teams this year. It’s been particularly acute among their Designated Players, who have played in just 38.8% of the available minutes. That ranks as the third-lowest figure in MLS this year.