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Sounders Travel to Toronto Looking to Build on USOC Win

By Ben Renner

Jun 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Seattle Sounders FC manager Sigi Schmid during the second overtime period against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Regulation ended in a 1-1 draw and Seattle advanced on a penalty shootout. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Seattle Sounders FC manager Sigi Schmid during the second overtime period against Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Regulation ended in a 1-1 draw and Seattle advanced on a penalty shootout. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sounders will face Toronto FC on the road tonight. Has a dramatic win over Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup on Tuesday brought them out of their funk?

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Sounders defender and captain Brad Evans said after the Sounders’ sleepwalk of a defeat to NYCFC on June 25th that he had never “had to scream so many times for people to wake up” in a game. It was certainly another disappointing defeat in which the Sounders attackers couldn’t finish and lapses in the midfield led to costly turnovers.

Still, the Sounders defeated Real Salt Lake in Rio Tinto Stadium on Tuesday in penalties to advance to yet another US Open Cup semifinal. Sounders keeper Tyler Miller had the game of his life in the win, turning away multiple chances by RSL and stopping two penalty kicks to seal the victory. The question, as the Sounders return to MLS play, is if Miller’s inspiring performance and a hard-fought win will prove to be the turning point for the team.

Toronto FC sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference but they have a talented roster featuring the reigning MLS MVP, Sebastian Giovinco. The forward scored 22 goals and recorded 16 assists last year to win the honor. This year, the Atomic Ant has netted eight goals and assisted in six scores so far. The Sounders’ back line will have its hands full trying to contain him.

The Sounders will catch a break and miss the return of Jozy Altidore. The US Men’s Team star forward is still recovering from a strained hamstring he suffered in May. After the USMT finished in fourth place at the Copa America, Sounders forward Clint Dempsey will return after scoring three goals in the tournament for Jurgen Klinnsman and company. However, it remains unclear if Sounders coach Sigi Schmid will insert him back into the lineup or hold him out another game to let him rest.

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The Sounders will face Toronto tonight at 4:30 in the newly-renovated BMO Stadium in the 6.

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