During the preseason, the Sounders tinkered with a 4-4-2 formation. With Jordan Morris looking as strong as ever, he was partnered up top with either Will Bruin or Clint Dempsey. It appeared to be an effective way to get as many goalscorers on the field as possible.
When Morris suffered a season-ending ACL at the end of February, everything changed. Dempsey, who turned 35 in March, seemed to fit better in the midfield, hovering around the top of the 18, while veteran Lamar Neagle stuck to the wing. By the start of league play, the club went back to its usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Bruin as the lone striker.