Over the past two years eleven players that qualified for acquisition through Allocation Ranking. Most are names familiar to any soccer fan in the USA. With the third spot in the ranking who could Seattle grab in 2013?

The Portland Timbers stole a point late from Seattle Sounders FC, tying 1-1 on Saturday. It was a fair result given the play, which Sounders FC saw the better of early, and Portland did the same later on.

Allowing one goal is hardly a disaster, but the Sounders must come up with a better gameplan and have much better execution if they are to make history on Tuesday.

With the Obafemi Martins deal continuing in stalemate is it time to pursue Plan B? What direction should Plan B take? Is it really Plan B?

As of now, and it is a very fluid now, Seattle Sounders FC has roster space open to add players. They may not have much cap space but at the tail end of the roster that isn't important.

Through polling Sounder at Heart writers and a blogger from Seattle's biggest rivals all see the club in the MLS Cup Playoffs again.

The losses of Parke and Montero will hurt the club's top end strength, but deft drafting and trading have it stronger than ever in the midfield.

A fully fit Steve Zakuani, an improving Eddie Johnson and a full season of Mario Martinez could easily more than make up for the goals Fredy Montero would have provided.

The writing seems to be on the wall that a tactical shift is coming, but who slots in where is still an open question.

Left wing, withdrawn forward, right wing and how who plays where shifts the strategy of Seattle for 2013.