Sounders will probably roll out in a similar 4231 they have been using.
Valdez
Nico, Friberg, Morris
Ozzie, Roldan
Jones, Marshall, Torres, Mears
Frei
Nico and friberg will roam on interchange. Morris will push high in the attack. We will play out of the back with Jones and Mears and build from the outside in. The cutting balls of Lodeiro, Roldan and Friberg will put pressure on Toronto's defense.
Toronto, btw, has played a 352 down the stretch and the past several games. They are vulnerable, especially to speed.
One of Toronto's strong points is on set pieces, but I think we counter well with Marshall, Torres and Valdez. Weak link on our side is probably Mears/Jones. They can't lose their mark.
I think our defense will be pretty solid. Torres and Marshall are about as perfect a CB pairing to have against Altidore, and while I think Giovinco is a tremendous player, I think Ozzie and Roldan can lend enough support to keep his influence to a low level.
On the offensive side of play, our most important player is probably Nelson Valdez. He has to be able to hold the ball and build the attack. We'll be dumping a lot of balls up to him in hopes he can hold it long enough to spring Nico or Jordy.
Jordy, Nico and Joevin are probably the most dangerous players for us going forward against the 352. Jordy can pull a CB wide, and hopefully open the space for Nico. Joevin overlapping will release some pressure on Friberg and Nico.
Its a game of space, and I think the Sounders 4231 matches up well against the 352, assuming we can hold Giovinco in check.
It's a massive game, and its going to come down to who manages the space best.
Its gonna be a good game. Tactically very interesting game.
3-2 Sounders win in Extra Time.
Nico Lodeiro, Jordan Morris, and Herc Gomez are your goal scorers.
Giovinco and Bradley for TFC.