Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz remains in quarantine in Peru following his positive COVID-19 test while on international duty with the Peruvian national team, with Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey giving an update on his status on a Wednesday conference call with reporters.
Regarding Ruidiaz's status, Lagerwey said the player is asymptomatic to this point and is currently quarantining in a hotel. The GM added that should Ruidiaz remain asymptomatic and make it through the necessary protocols, he'd be able to gain clearance to travel back to Seattle, where he'll undergo further evaluations by team doctors to ensure he's healthy and non-transmissive.
If all those hurdles are cleared, Lagerwey said Ruidiaz could be eligible to play as soon as October 27, when the Sounders are currently scheduled to play the Vancouver Whitecaps.
"So far he is asymptomatic. Hopefully it will remain that way," Lagerwey said. "The Peruvian federation follows the same quarantine as MLS and the same rehab protocol, so he'll be in isolation in Peru for a period of time. If he comes through that period and is still asymptomatic then he will be deemed to be no longer infectious and will be permitted to travel at which point he would fly back to Seattle. Then our doctors have to look at him, if he passes all the screens on the Seattle end then he would immediately be able to play.
"So we we anticipate that he will be eligible — if all goes well, if all goes to plan, if he remains healthy — that he will be able to play on October 27. As of this moment, and I stress this is 2020, this is Covid-land, every day seems to take a week, things always change — but as of this moment, that is the plan with Raul Ruidiaz."
Ruidiaz tested positive on October 11 in Peru, where he was preparing for a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match against Brazil, which he would be forced to miss.
The Peruvian international has nine goals and three assists for Seattle in 13 matches in MLS league play in 2020.
