After coming from 3-0 down to earn a thrilling 3-3 home draw against the New England Revolution last week, the Seattle Sounders will host Toronto FC on Saturday (12 p.m. PT; ESPN, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) in a rematch of the 2016 MLS Cup Final. Here are three matchups to watch.
Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore vs. the Sounders’ back line
Yes, there are several sub-matchups within this one, but there is none bigger that will swing the outcome of Saturday’s match. Altidore is in great form to start the season and Giovinco recorded a brace on Wednesday against Orlando City SC, which entered as the league leader in points. Perhaps the best attacking tandem in MLS, if the Sounders can keep Giovinco or Altidore off the score sheet, Seattle should be able to grab a huge three points.
Joevin Jones vs Steven Beitashour
Despite his nominal role at left back, Jones has been a legitimate attacking threat and is second in MLS in assists so far this season with five. He loves to push forward and stay high, putting pressure on his fullback counterpart. Given the nature of Toronto’s 3-5-2 formation, in which TFC operates with three central defenders and two wingbacks in Beitashour and Raheem Edwards, Jones will be dueling primarily with Beitashour. Jones’ ability to stretch the field vertically and horizontally will pose a lot of problems on the left side because it will force Beitashour to think twice about getting forward without any cover. Expect the Sounders to attack him heavily.
Nicolas Lodeiro vs. Michael Bradley
Lodeiro was not nearly as effective in the MLS Cup Final as he had been leading up to that point, and a large part of that was because of how effective Bradley was in filling gaps and plugging passing lines where the Uruguayan maestro likes to work. Five months later, on Seattle’s home field, Lodeiro is poised to make amends. He starts on the right wing but tends to float everywhere through the midfield, which can make it difficult on a centrally focused defensive midfielder in Bradley. Even if Lodeiro’s movement can do as little as pull Bradley out of position, there should be plenty of room for Clint Dempsey and Will Bruin to work in the center channel in front of TFC’s three defenders.
