Preview : Seattle Sounders Vs. Toronto FC

As far as season openers go, it doesn't get much more daunting, or exciting, than Toronto FC's this weekend as they take on the Seattle Sounders. The 100 Million Dollar Duo will be making their debut in one of the most hostile away forums in Major League Soccer and the New Look Sounders will try to work off the momentum built up from last week's last second victory over reigning champions Sporting Kansas City. 

This is going to be good!

When the 2013 season ended and Toronto FC were only marginally better than their previous year, it was evident that SOMETHING had to be done to salvage what fan support they had left. The most telling of the entire situation came when former Toronto Mayor David Miller (who is honestly a die-hard TFC Supporters) publically turned in his season tickets. 

“I am so frustrated with the latest management missteps that I am returning the remainder of my season tickets to you: it is the only way I can emphasize how serious the situation is for those of us who support TFC. Please donate them to an appropriate cause. There once was magic at BMO Field. The latest reshuffle has made the possibility of that magic returning almost certainly disappear.”

When Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment's (MLSE) President & CEO Tim Leiweke made the now famous statement of "Why can't we be great?", it turned out that the organization was not just "blowing smoke" as in years past. After a major overhaul from the top down within the organization and spending record amounts on signings of perhaps the league's second highest profile DP's, this was (as their ad campaigns put it) "A Bloody Big Deal!" At the start of the 2014 season supporters can look across the entire pitch with anticipation and I dare even say hope. From Brazil's Cesar between the posts, to Michael Bradley running the midfield, to Jermain Defoe ready to strike, to the return of Toronto's favoured son Dwayne De Rosario, this is a team not to be underestimated. 

Much like Toronto, the Sounders have made several new key additions to their roster, and could very well be a better side than 2013, which is a scary thought for a team who has never missed the playoffs. New youth & speed in Dylan Remick and Sean Okoli, the size & dominating presence of Kenny Cooper, the accuracy & veteran presence of Marco Pappa, the returning USMNT stars Clint Dempsey & Brad Evans and the loss of a hostile dressing room have rejuvenated this Rave Green Battalion. This is a team that's looking to put last year's disappointing campaign far behind them and return to the marquee soccer that the team used to embody.  

Michael Bradley will anchor Toronto's Midfield

 So, what can we expect out of Toronto FC?

With the re-tooled Toronto side it's hard to honestly say what to expect. Will we see a return to the "Final 10min collapse" that the team was known for last season or will they become a scoring machine anchored by the 100 Million Dollar Duo? Toronto didn't "Wow" during the pre-season, although they were without Jermaine Defoe during that time. There were sparks of brilliance at time but was largely unsurprising action throughout. The team also left new Designated Player signing Gilberto back in Toronto as he nurses a hip injury. Luckily for Toronto Michael Bradley & Jermaine Defoe have both apparently returned to full health. Although, in the case of Defoe, the Brit only joined TFC on Sunday and has only a pair of practices with the squad heading into tomorrow's match. The hope is that the 2013 standout Jonathon Osorio will have the opportunity to establish himself with the duo and truly become the superstar that he has the ability to become (and that the Canadian Men's Team hopes he becomes). Throw in the additions of (likely starting left back) Justin Morrow, veteran presences of Steven Caldwell & DeRo, as well as a determination to succeed like the City of Toronto hasn't seen in a long time, this is becoming a team to pay attention to. The scoring issues have apparently been solved but time will tell if the defensive holes have been plugged. If Toronto can form a solid defensive back four that can work & communicate with the Brazilian Julio Cesar watching the sticks... Scary thought.

Clint Dempsey will be facing a very different TFC this time around

 Where does that leave the Sounders? 

Sigi Schmid has indicated that Kenny Cooper could slide out wide right making the formation look more like a 4-2-3-1 than a 4-diamond-2. If this is the case, Cooper’s ability to affect the game will have a sharp impact on not only the match, but will continue to affect the attack throughout the season. With creative and intelligent players like Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Marco Pappa around him there are no reasons why Cooper cannot find himself in positions to become the threat we've seen in seasons past. Stefen Frei faces down his former team for the first time, which can always be a challenge, however he came out strong and showed only a hint of rust in his Week 1 shutout of Sporting Kansas City. Showing excellent presence in the net & not being afraid to come at the ball aggressively when in the crease, he showed the type of player he never truly had the chance to become in Toronto. At the ripe old age of 27, he could be the 'keeper on guard for years to come in Seattle. "The Last Action Hero" Chad Barrett is in the same boat, taking on the team that he played for from September 2008 - January 2011 and where he did have a modicum of success. For Barrett though, it's almost an entirely different TFC to be facing from when he left.

All in all, this one should favour the Sounders. With a full team having already played one home match together, as well as Clint Dempsey having a bit more time to rest up from travels for the USMNT, the Sounders should prove too much for the still gelling Toronto FC. TFC Coach Nelsen will need to have a solid defensive strategy heading in to this one and they will need to pull it off masterfully to make it out of CenturyLink Field with their pride intact. 

Saturday’s match against Toronto FC will kick off at 1:30 p.m. PT. 

The match was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., and was rescheduled on 

February 10 to accommodate the television broadcasts.