As the Seattle Sounders’ 2017 preseason starts to wind down, it’s no surprise that head coach Brian Schmetzer decided to start some of his youngest and most inexperienced players in Wednesday’s exhibition match against Atlanta United. Whether or not Schmetzer expected it, Tata Martino did just about the opposite and selected a starting XI that’s probably close to the one he’ll send out on Opening Day. This imbalance showed in the first half, and the Sounders were never really in the match until bringing in nearly all of their first choice players later in the second half. Atlanta’s goals against Seattle’s weak starting XI boosted them to a 4-2 win.
Sounders vs. Atlanta United preseason recap: Reserves thumped
