It’s sort of like getting really cool new toys, but with assembly required: The fun part might demand some work and patience.
All indications are that the Seattle Sounders finally will get designated players Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins and Nelson Valdez on the pitch at the same time Saturday when Toronto FC visits CenturyLink Field. And as eagerly as the Sounders have awaited this day, coach Sigi Schmid said it could take some tinkering to determine the best way to configure the three forwards into a productive unit.
“That will become clear once they actually play in a game,” Schmid said. “Everybody’s running pattern, running energy, is different in a game. The games really start to identify what’s the best shape, what’s the best formation to use them in.”
Martins and Valdez started alongside each other the past three matches. The Sounders went 2-1 in those games, with Martins contributing three goals and Valdez one. The newcomer will be Dempsey, who has been out with a hamstring injury since Aug. 11 — five days after Valdez signed as a designated player.
Together they project as one of Major League Soccer’s most dangerous attacking trios. However, the Sounders can’t afford to spend much time waiting for their potential to mesh into production. There are seven games left in this Major League Soccer season, and Seattle is tied for sixth place in the Western Conference — with the top six teams making the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Toronto is every bit as focused on its stretch run toward what would be its first-ever playoff appearance after eight seasons of frustration.
“There’s hope from their fans that they’re finally going to make the playoffs,” said Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who played for Toronto from 2009-2013. “But by the same token, we need three points.”
This might be the rare week when the Sounders are closer to full strength than their opponent. In addition to the three designated players, newly signed midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz could be ready to make his Seattle debut. And if so, the only key players certainly out are central defender Roman Torres, who is away with the Panama national team, and midfielder Marco Pappa, away with Guatemala.
Meanwhile, Toronto will be without its top two forwards as Sebastian Giovinco is out with an adductor injury, and Jozy Altidore is with the United States national team.
Notes
Toronto midfielder Collen Warner and Montreal defender Victor Cabrera received suspensions Friday for violent play in last game between their two teams. The MLS disciplinary committee suspended Warner two games and fined him for violent conduct after he took down Montreal’s Dominic Oduro in Toronto’s 2-1. Cabrera was suspended one game and fined for a sliding tackle from behind on Toronto’s Jozy Altidore.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this article.
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