Since there’s a little more at stake this weekend that usual, it seems like a good idea to take a deeper look into what Seattle is facing. Today we’ll overview Toronto’s defensive system and a couple strategies the Sounders can use to open holes.
Greg Vanney’s discovery of the 3-5-2 in 2016 was the catalyst to much of their success — at least, up until MLS Cup. It’s an atypical formation for non-Italian teams, and it’s only recently that it’s shifted from a defend-your-heart out formation to one with serious two-way chops. There probably aren’t a lot of other rosters in the league that would be able to pull it off, never mind doing so with anywhere near the success.