A scoreless slugfest at halftime was all the Sounders needed to break out an offensive weapon they had toyed with all preseason.
The 4-4-2 diamond formation was initially supposed to generate additional attack support for Jordan Morris at striker, but was deployed this time to get Clint Dempsey up high alongside Will Bruin. And the switch paid off instantly in what became a 4-0, series clinching Sounders rout of Santa Tecla FC on Thursday night with Bruin and Dempsey factoring heavily.
The victory over the plucky team from El Salvador gave the Sounders a series win on aggregate and advances them to the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Chivas from Guadalajara, Mexico, next Wednesday at CenturyLink Field.