We may never see an actual money battle in our lifetimes, where scraps of colored paper launch metal coins at each other to determine supremacy. For many though, Saturday's match between Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC was close enough. The Sounders finally saw all three of their Designated Players take the field together for the first time since Nelson Valdez was signed last month. Yeah, that means Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey were there too.
In fact, this was the closest the team has been to their best XI since June, and it showed (in a number of ways.) The defense looked strong and the offense was dangerous, but communication was a problem and the jets weren't firing at all cylinders. The win was close but necessary to keep momentum swinging towards the playoffs.
There's only a few more pieces left to integrate. When this Sounders Megazord is finished, the rest of the league will feel like the Putty Patrol.
Blank - player did not play enough to judge
1 - not a pro (USL/NASL/MLS) quality performance
4 - average USL starter
6 - average MLS starter
9 - MLS All Star
10 - MLS MVP-quality performance