Seattle Sounders: 5 Questions for the 2017 Season

By Paul Taylor | Feb 13, 2017

Dec 13, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer holds the MLS Cup championship trophy during a rally in downtown Seattle at Westlake Center. Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Osvaldo Alonso (6) is at right. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender Roman Torres (29) shakes hands with goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) following a 1-0 Seattle victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Can Roman Torres stay healthy?

“Offense wins games and defense wins championships.” Nowhere was the latter part of this statement more acutely displayed, than in last season’s MLS Cup final.

Now, you could say the defense isn’t it too bad a shape, when you consider they conceded the seventh-fewest goals during the 2016 campaign. However, there’s little doubt they improved, once Roman Torres returned from his ACL injury in late August.

In that respect, the Rave Green need a full season from the 30-year old. Consider that since coming to Seattle in August 2015, he has only started 12 games out of a possible 44.

Another reason for needing a healthy Torres, is to help combat against losses in the back line. Whatever criticisms they may or may not have deserved, the experience of Zack Scott and Tyrone Mears will be missed.

Understandably, Stefan Frei gets considerable credit for his leadership, athleticism and consistency in goal. However, he will be the first to tell you he feels a lot safer, when he has the towering presence of Torres playing in front of him.

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