Before the 2009 MLS season kicked off two and a half weeks ago, not many pundits would have picked the Seattle Sounders to be at the top of the Western Conference. On the flip side, it is just as unlikely that many experts would have predicted Toronto FC to be in a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.However, while Seattle has played both of their opening games at home, Toronto has managed to achieve a share of first place without playing a game in front of their rabid home fans. That will all change on Saturday when Seattle travels to Toronto for their biggest test of the young season.
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Despite a rough start for Toronto in their first two years in the league, 2009 looks to be a clean slate for the lone Canadian team in MLS. With a 3-2 victory at Kansas City in week one and an impressive 1-1 draw against the defending champion Colombus Crew last week, Toronto has shown remarkable improvement from a side that finished seventh in the Eastern Conference two years running.
Early in Toronto’s existence, goals were hard to come by. However, with newcomer Pablo Vitti and young gun Chad Barrett up front, along with midfield star Dwayne De Rosario returning to his home city, Toronto has looked like a different team this season with four goals in two games.
With their new attacking options, Toronto could be considered the favorites to win on Saturday. Though the Ontario side has conceded more goals than Seattle, they have yet to play at home while the Sounders have not played an official road game in their MLS existence.
Before Seattle entered MLS this season, Toronto was considered to have the best fan base in the league. Now, with the Sounders selling out their first two games, and with more season ticket holders in Seattle than in any other MLS city, Toronto’s supporters may be looking to make a statement when the Sounders come to town.
With all that being said, Toronto’s defense has not faced an offense that has clicked as well as Seattle’s this season. While the Crew won the championship last year, they have looked a little sluggish to start this season, and Kansas City played woeful defense in Toronto’s victory in week one.
It will be essential for forward Nate Jaqua to take some pressure off Fredy Montero, much like he did last week by scoring the first goal, in order for Seattle to gain any rhythm. If, as has been reported, Montero does not play due to an illness, look for Roger Levesque or Sebastian Le Toux to get some minutes up front. Steve Zakuani could also be moved from winger to forward.
Toronto will be confident in their ability to win at home, especially after their start this year, so the Sounders will not only need their usual offensive firepower, but also an improved defense in order to come away with a victory.
It will be interesting to see how Tyrone Marshall reacts to playing in Toronto again. The veteran was a key component to Toronto’s defense last year, but was not retained because Toronto allowed 43 goals last campaign, making the Canadian outfit one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Marshall has looked resurgent this season with Seattle, and his leadership will be a big key for Seattle if they are going to stop Toronto from scoring at home.
Here is the projected starting lineup for Seattle Sounders FC:
Formation:4-1-3-2
Coach: Sigi Schmid (first season)
Goalkeeper: Kasey Keller
Defenders: James Riley, Tyrone Marshall, Jhon Hurtado, and Zach Scott
Midfielders: Steve Zakuani, Osvaldo Alonso, Brad Evans, and Sebastian Le Toux
Forwards: Fredy Montero (if healthy) and Nate Jaqua
Notes: Once again, the starting lineup for Seattle should remain the same, with Zakuani starting again over Nyassi, though the Gambian should play at some point if he’s healthy. It will be interesting to see what Sigi Schmid does with Freddie Ljungberg. Though he may be healthy enough to start, it would be wise for Schmid to reward the starters who have performed so well in weeks one and two. If Montero is sick, look for Zakuani or Levesque up front and Ljungberg starting in midfield, probably as a winger.
Here is the projected starting lineup for Toronto FC:
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Coach: John Carver (second year)
Goalkeeper: Stefen Frei
Defenders: Marvel Wynne, Adrian Serioux, Marco Velez, and Jim Brennan
Midfielders: Sam Cronin, Kevin Harmse, Rohan Ricketts, and Dwayne De Rosario
Forwards: Chad Barrett and Pablo Vitti
Notes: The biggest threat to Seattle is Dwayne De Rosario. Playing his first game in front of his hometown fans, he’ll be looking to attack from the get-go. Marvel Wynne is a speedster in the back who likes to attack as well. As mentioned above, Barrett and Vitti have looked good so far this season, so Marshall and Hurtado will have their hands full on Saturday. Stefen Frei, Toronto’s starting goalkeeper was injured last week, so backup Greg Sutton could start.
Prediction: It will likely be the first real test for Seattle, playing on the road in a hostile environment. The shutout streak will likely end, and, if Fredy Montero doesn't play, it could be a tough game for Seattle. However, the Sounders are not a one-man team, so look for a very close, hotly contested match on Saturday, regardless of Montero's status, with a 1-1 draw the most likely result.
Reach Alden Walcon at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
