Weary Sounders ready for next test

TUKWILA — The afterglow of reaching a second straight U.S. Open Cup final wore off rather quickly for Sounders FC on Wednesday night knowing the next game was 72 hours later.

And 2,500 miles away.

Weathered and worn, Seattle continues along its physically demanding schedule with a game Saturday at the New England Revolution at 4:30 p.m. Sounders FC will try to extend a franchise-best seven-game unbeaten streak against Major League Soccer opponents.

"We've got a crazy schedule coming up, one where I think this squad will be tested," goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. "Guys are going to need a break, and other guys are going to have to step up and do a great job. I know we're up for the task."

Seattle (9-8-5) has handled everything thrown its way in the last two months, but bumps, bruises and jet lag could come into play Saturday. Not to mention general fatigue from being five months into a long regular season.

One particular concern is the health of central midfielders Osvaldo Alonso (neck) and Nathan Sturgis (ankle). And forward Nate Jaqua said he felt "knocked up" after the hard-fought win over Chivas USA on Wednesday.

Coach Sigi Schmid said his team is focused only on what it can control.

"You move forward and you tackle it," Schmid said. "Everybody takes care of their bodies, and we get them to recover and we get them to play again."

Seattle will be short-handed against New England (6-12-3), with midfielder Sanna Nyassi with the Gambian national team for an African Cup of Nations qualifier Saturday against Namibia.

"We're missing him," said Schmid.

The loss will be made up by the return of Steve Zakuani, who missed a couple weeks with a pelvic strain. After Wednesday's win, Zakuani said the New England trip was fresh on the team's mind in the buildup to the Open Cup semifinal.

"It's good to go over there with a win," he said postgame. "Had we lost tonight then it'd be a long flight. It's still going to be a long flight anyway, but maybe a happier one."

A happy flight back would be nice, too.

Notes

• Saturday will be a homecoming of sorts for Sounders FC's James Riley, who played his first three MLS seasons in New England. Injured forward/midfielder Pat Noonan also had five productive years for the Revolution.

• Seattle beat New England 3-0 at home earlier this season, which matched the team's largest margin of victory.

Joshua Mayers: 206-464-3184 or jmayers@seattletimes.com