There is no doubt the Seattle Sounders FC will play an attack-minded style in their December 9th MLS Cup rematch against Toronto FC in Toronto. Some fans certainly not from the Rave Green part of the country felt the Sounders stole last years MLS Cup by recording zero shots on goal in 120 minutes and winning the Cup in a penalty shootout.
The current Seattle roster is deeper in the midfield and more dynamic up front. Clint Dempsey was a bystander and Will Bruin was not with the squad. Dempsey led the Sounders in scoring with twelve goals which is two shy of the 16 goals tallied by Toronto Forward Sebastian Giovinco. Teammate Jozy Altidore scored 15 goals and provided the leagues best one-two punch. Seattle Midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro has scored seven goals and twelve assists.
The Sounders have quietly become the best defensive team in the playoffs by not conceding a goal in the postseason. The last time the Sounders conceded a goal was in their 2-0 loss to the Philadephia Union on October 1st.
So while everyone is looking for a revenge-filled shoot out, Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei is fine with a defensive battle.
“I think if we’ll have it our way, we’re not going to have it be wide open,” Frei added this week when talking with reporters.“I think that would be counterproductive to the way we play and what I think is best for us. When we find ourselves playing good games is when we’re defensively sound, organized, not all over the shop, very disciplined.”
While Frei is hoping for a defensive battle an encore performance from last years final will be hard to duplicate.
