The Seattle Sounders will be without star left back Joevin Jones for their next two matches. The Seattle Times is reporting that Jones left the team without authorization to prep for the Trinidad and Tobago national team and their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
According to the report, Jones flew to Trinidad Monday and informed a coach via text message afterward. Jones left a week early with the International break scheduled from August 28th-to-September 5th.
Sounders GM Garth Lagerway confirmed Jones’ departure Tuesday. “Joevin has left the team for personal reasons, and he’ll be joining the national team down in Trinidad.” Lagerway did not address if Jones had team approval to leave.
Nouhou Tolo is expected to replace Jones in the starting 11 for Wednesday’s game at Vancouver and Sunday’s home match versus Portland.
The short-term future for Jones after the international break may now be up in the air. The 26-year-old signed a pre-contract with SV Darmstadt 98 July 30th . He was expected to finish the current Sounders season in the MLS before joining Bundesliga 2 in January.
(KPUG – Doug Lange)