Seattle Sounders FC vs Toronto FC preview

By Money Mike


The Seattle Sounders after a successful road trip return home to Qwest Field as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to 6 games. Last week, Seattle came away with a 1-0 win in Colorado over the defending champion Rapids, but also lost one of their star players to injury, and the question is, who will Sigi Schmid add to the starting-11? On the other side, Toronto FC are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to the Columbus Crew. Tony Tchani, who was acquired from Red Bull New York, put TFC up 1-0 but was immediately sent off after picking up his second yellow for his celebration, and I have no idea what he did that the referee didn't like. Did he get booked for jumping over the boards? If there was a rule about that, when did they start booking players for it? I don't know what he did, but he got sent off and it proved costly as Emilio Renteria's goal erased Toronto's lead and the victory, and also the red card meant Tchani will be suspended for this match.

Injury report:

Toronto FC - I tell you what, Toronto FC have alot of guys with adductor injuries so let's take a look at who's out and who may play, but probably won't. First up on the list is Dutch veteran, Elbekay Bouchiba, has made an appearance for Toronto FC and he will not make his debut this weekend. He is recovering from right knee surgery. Keith Makubuya has an adductor strain and that will keep him out of this match. Alen Stevanovic also has an adductor strain but he is listed as questionable. Adrian Cann has a pectoral contusion and will be listed as questionable. Alan Gordon, Nana Attakora and Gianluca Zavarise are all suffering from adductor tightness and are all listed as questionable.

Seattle Sounders FC - Well there's gonna be a few holes to fill in this match. Pat Noonan remians listed as questionable with a right quad strain. O'Brian White just had blood clot surgery on his leg so he'll be out for a while, but I see him being out for too long. And of course we all know about this guy, Steve Zakuani, a broken tibia and fibula, this is a big loss right here.

Key Matchups:

Fredy Montero vs Ty Harden - Joshua Mayers on Seattle times listed Jaqua vs Harden as a key matchup, but I think Harden is gonna focus more on the Colombian international. Most of you Washington Husky fans who watched him when he played college soccer at UW should know that Harden is a tough-minded defender.

Maicon Santos vs Jeff Parke - Jeff Parke is gonna need to keep his eyes out for him at all times, yep, another test for him. Maicon scored two goals during midweek in a 3-0 win over FC Edmonton in the Canadian Championship and he is looking to pick up where he left off this weekend.

Javier Martina vs Leo Gonzalez - Martina looks like he gonna get the start out on the wing. He came to this team in the offseason only making three professional appearances, two for Ajax and one for HFC Harleem. This season, he's made seven appearances so far and has scored two goals. This young footballer has a lot of potential, and he's gonna test Gonzalez if he get's the start on the wing.

Who does Sigi use to replace Steve Zakuani and O'Brian White?

Well it's been a tough week with two key guys gone and now who does Sigi turn to? On the wing, they have Alvaro Fernandez, I think Rosales is an option, maybe Michael Fucito, David Estrada, as a matter of fact, I think rookie Michael Tetteh should get the start on the wing until Steve Zakuani returns, but of course that's just my opinion. Up front as O'Brian White recovers from blood clot surgery, I'm expecting Nate Jaqua to partner up front with Montero, but there are other options as well. You have 19-year old Miguel Montano, Rosales is also an option to partner up front or maybe even Lamar Neagle, but I think it's gonna be Jaqua up front with Fredy Montero. Like I said, alot of holes to fill.