Seattle Sounders: 3 Keys Versus the Vancouver Whitecaps

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
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 /
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Seattle Sounders
Mar 6, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey (2) gets tripped up by Sporting KC defender Chance Myers (7) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Time for the forward line to step up

The excitement of signing Jordan Morris was ruined by Obafemi Martins’ departure on the eve of the season. Unfortunately for the Sounders attack, they have yet to get over the loss of Martins, as evidenced by just one goal in the opening two games.

We always knew there would be a period of adjustment under these circumstances, especially when you throw in the team changing to a 4-3-3 formation for this season. However, in light of the early results, the pressure is on Morris, Nelson Valdez and Clint Dempsey to get their act together.

Speaking to Matt Pentz of The Seattle Times and the rest of the media on Thursday, Dempsey said: “In that first game against Club America, it felt really good – I was getting some good looks, but kind of since then I haven’t had many chances. That’s chemistry, that’s doing a better job of keeping the ball in the final third and moving it around and trying to find chances for each other.”

Next: Silver lining to Obafemi Martins' departure

What do you expect from the Sounders against the Whitecaps? Save for a tie, who do you think will win, and why? Let us know in the comments section below.