Raul Ruidiaz to miss Sounders match against Orlando City

Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz left the team in order to attend the funeral services of his father. Raul Alberto Ruidiaz Chuica died Tuesday of undisclosed causes.

Ruidiaz started and played 87 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium on Wednesday. Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer told media after training Friday that Ruidiaz did know of his father’s death at the time.

Ruidiaz, who’s bagged four goals this season, is unavailable for Seattle’s match against Orlando City SC at Lumen Field on Saturday. Schmetzer noted the striker likely wouldn’t have played because he’s on a minutes restriction due to chronic hamstring injuries. Ruidiaz hasn’t played a full match since the team’s FIFA men’s Club World Cup loss in Morocco in February.

“We expect him back on Monday or Tuesday, after he takes care of his family,” Schmetzer said of Ruidiaz’s timetable. Brazilian forward Heber will likely start Saturday. “It’s not easy, so we respect his privacy and that’s all I’m going to say on that. It’s a sad situation, he’s [the father] gone too early.”