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FINAL SSFC 2, TFC 1: Shifting his lineup Brian Schmetzer injected new tactics to steal a win in Toronto. The 2-1 win with no Designated Players and only starting a single TAM player was powered by Will Bruin’s goal and assist, but the youthful subs late showed that there are many ways to protect a lead. Their choice was to protect the lead with high pressure and energy.
TFC struggled to deal with the energy of Kelvin Leerdam (in midfield), Alex Roldan and Henry Wingo (at forward).
Seattle heads home to prepare to face Portland, knowing that they can score goals and win games.
SSFC GOAL UPDATE: Homegrown player and 18-year-old former UW Husky player Handwalla Bwana is not impressed by Toronto FC. His goal reunited the Seattle Sounders with the lead. Now it is 2-1 with 36 minutes left to play.
Right between the legs! What a goal to score for your first @handwalla! pic.twitter.com/Y13RdhItLU
— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) May 10, 2018
Will Bruin now has a goal, an assist and a yellow card.
TFC GOAL UPDATE: Toronto continued to threaten goal, but it was their sloppiest opportunity that finally found that net as Jonothan Osorio finished an attempted chip by Giovinco. It is now 1-1 at half.
Toronto has dominated possession, but duels are even. Five of Toronto’s ten shots are inside area. All four of Seattle’s shots are in the area, and from left of center.
SSFC GOAL UPDATE: In a match that’s been defined by squandered opportunities for Toronto the Sounders sat back and waited. Eventually they launched a quick counter from wolf to bear. Magnus Wolff Eikrem perfectly weighted a pass to send Will Bruin in on goal. The 25’ minute goal also ignited Seattle to get forward just a bit more.
That pass.
— Sounder At Heart (@sounderatheart) May 10, 2018
That goal. pic.twitter.com/RYgE5Y0JNK
LINEUPS: As expected, the Seattle Sounders will use a 5-4-1 formation for the first time in their MLS history. Clint Dempsey and Osvaldo Alonso were left off the roster with an eye on Sunday’s game and Nicolas Lodeiro was left in Seattle with the hope that he’ll heal in time as well.
Toronto FC counters with basically the same lineup they’ve used the last couple of weeks. That means Michael Bradley and Gregory Van Der Wiel are filling in at center back and Sebastian Giovinco will be a lone forward in a 4-5-1 set up.
What if the two best teams in the league over the last two years met on a cold, weekday night with each team being ripped apart by injury? Who would win? This isn’t a thought experiment, but instead what FoxSports1 will show at 4:30 p.m. when Toronto FC hosts Seattle Sounders FC.
At least TFC will have perrenial MVP Sebastian Giovinco. Seattle will hold onto hope through its supporting cast as their most talented players are either injured or resting up for the match against Portland.
Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension
Seattle: Jordan Morris, Victor Rodriguez and Roman Torres are out. Nicolas Lodeiro and Harry Shipp are listed as questionable.
Reds: Jozy Altidore, Nick Hagglund, and Drew Moor are all out. Chris Mavinga, Justin Morrow and Eriq Zavaleta are listed as questionable.
Osvaldo Alonso is two yellows away from suspension for accumulation.
Ted Unkel is the center referee. His video assistant is Chris Penso.
nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in alto
you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep
this is our Sound
Keys to the game
- Play with tempo.
- Go up middle at diminished defense.
- Be wary of Giovinco.
- Don’t foul in deep spaces, because Gio is that good.
How I'm watching
Outfit: You will hear us sweatshirt.
Scarf: You will hear us.
Where: No idea.
How to Watch
Match date/time: 4:30 p.m. on May 9, 2018
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, America’s hat
Online Streaming: Fox Sports Go
National TV: FS1 ( Followill, Barton, Witham)
Regional TV: YouTube TV (in Seattle and Spokane)
Local English Radio: 950 KJR-AM Seattle (Johnson, Keller)
Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Patia)
International TV
Asia: beIN Sports (Asia) | Australia: beIN Sports (Australia) | Middle East & North Africa: Abu Dhabi Sports | Singapore: Starhub | Taiwan: Sportscast
Lineups
Let’s do it again
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) May 9, 2018
Here’s tonight’s @BMO Starting XI vs. @SoundersFC#TFCLive | #TORvSEA pic.twitter.com/ewib8sXD8I
Here’s your @Delta Starting XI for tonight’s match vs @TorontoFC! #SoundersMatchday | #TORvSEA
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 9, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/3zosVv555R pic.twitter.com/EiBXe4uGWC
Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.
This is Seattle Sounders at Toronto FC; watch with us.