#PoutineTears : Toronto FC

And You Thought #BBQTears Were Delicious?

Riding the energy & momentum that comes with last minute heroics, the Seattle Sounders look ahead to the re-vamped Toronto FC this Saturday.  To say that's it's a star-studded affair is putting it mildly. With the likes of Clint Dempsey on the pitch for Seattle (alongside emerging superstars in DeAndre Yedlin, Brad Evans, & Lamar Neagle) facing off against the "50 Million Men" in Michael Bradley & Jermain Defoe, there is no shortage of "Wow Factor" available. 

Jermain Defoe practised with Toronto FC for the first time Monday, declaring himself "100 per cent" healthy and keen to start when the club. "It's been a long time talking about it and stuff, so to actually get over (to Canada) and put my boots on and start playing, training. . . it's good," Defoe said. "It feels good. Obviously a little bit strange when you first come in, but the lads have been fantastic. Good training session. I feel sharp. So yeah, happy." The 31-year-old striker had been battling a nagging hamstring injury, and didn't play in what would have been his farewell game for Tottenham Hotspur on Feb. 27 at White Hart Lane. This will be Toronto's first match of the 2014 campaign after receiving the Week 1 bye.  

Photo Courtesy Of The Canadian Press

His claims of being 100% are boastful, at best. Travelling across the pond from England to Toronto is no small puddle jump, let alone carrying on to the West Coast. I don't see him starting the match for The Reds, instead taking the Dempsey approach from opening week as a mid-match sub. 

The Sounders, however, are riding high after the home field victory over reigning MLS Champions Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, won with a 93rd minute goal by "The Last Action Hero" Chad Barrett.  The Sounders are not taking this match lightly, as this is not the same basement dwelling Toronto FC team from years past. There will be a slight edge (emphasis on slight) for us in goal with Stefen Frei facing his old team for the first time after coming to Seattle in the off-season from Toronto via trade on December 10, 2013 (TFC received a 2015 conditional first round SuperDraft pick). Frei made 82 starts in five seasons with Toronto after being selected with the 13^th overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Frei was solid between the posts last Saturday, showing only a hint of rust after spending most of last season on the bench due to injury. 

While the Toronto attack has been bolstered by big signings, the Seattle defense has had boosts of its own with Dylan Remick being brought in to start. Another young player with a bright future, Remick's speed & aerial abilities were on display during last week's win. With speed close to Yedlin's and a sound defensive mind, the two make a great pair in the back. Mix in the veteran "Big Man" presence of Djimi Traore and it is an imposing picture.

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.

Fun Facts :  Sounders enter Saturday’s match riding a five-game winning streak against Toronto FC (3-0-1 at home) ... Seattle has won 11 of 15 home matches, losing just one time at CenturyLink Field since May 11, 2013 ... Before kickoff  Seattle will continue to showcase it's 40th Anniversary by honoring the 2007 USL champion Seattle Sounders ... DeAndre Yedlin's hair is already in mid-season form.