Seattle Sounders: 3 Keys Versus the Vancouver Whitecaps

1 of 4

Aug 1, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender Tyrone Mears (4) pushes Osvaldo Alonso (6) away from Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson during the second half at CenturyLink Field. Vancouver won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

As the Seattle Sounders prepare to host the Vancouver Whitecaps, we look at three factors which could decide the outcome at CenturyLink Field.

Seattle Sounders fans are understandably nervous, after watching their team lose the first two games of the regular season. Fortunately, a look to the recent past can at least provide some modicum of comfort.

In 2011, the Sounders also started the campaign with a couple of defeats. However, by season’s end Sigi Schmid’s men were second in the conference with 63 points, a team record until they won the Supporters Shield in 2014.

Of course, this doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be some panic ahead of their first Cascadia Cup match of the 2016 season. Another loss, and Seattle will set an unwanted record as the first team in franchise history to start a season with three consecutive defeats.

Interestingly, the Vancouver Whitecaps are also off to an 0-2-0 start, a first for them in their short history. With two teams desperate for points, let’s consider three factors which could determine the outcome.

Next: Why are other teams intimidated by the Link?

Home/Seattle Sounders