Seattle Times staff reporter Matt Pentz breaks down five key Sounders matches this season.
March 19
Vancouver Whitecaps at Sounders
Vancouver had one of the best offseasons of any MLS team, adding a proven finisher in Blas Perez and filling other holes around talented, youthful building blocks. The Whitecaps provide the stiffest early test in a Sounders schedule back-loaded with late-summer challenges.
July 9
Los Angeles Galaxy at Sounders
In a league where contenders are getting younger and more organically sourced, the Galaxy spent a throwback winter splurging on aging European big-timers such as Ashley Cole and Nigel De Jong.