SEATTLE — To say the Seattle Sounders came into their last match before the Gold Cup break undermanned would be something of an understatement. So depleted were the Sounders that they were “able” to take advantage of Major League Soccers so-called “hardship” rule to bring up 16-year-old Juan Alvarez for a cup of coffee with the senior side. Alvarez was unlikely to see much action unless catastrophe befell the Sounders before or during the game, but with their luck, anything was possible.
The Sounders of course had another opportunity in front them: With a win or draw, the Sounders could set a new record, starting the MLS season with 13 consecutive unbeaten.