On Thursday, the Sounders wrapped up the 2018 Preseason by adidas with a 3-1 victory over USL side Sacramento Republic FC in Sacramento. Forward Jordan Morris found the back of the net in the second minute, then added another in the second half. Midfielder Henry Wingo tallied the other score in the first half. Here are four notable takeaways from the contest:
1. Motivated (and Healthy) Morris
After a frustrating, injury-plagued campaign in 2017, Jordan Morris looks ready to return to the form that saw him score 12 goals and win AT&T Rookie of the Year in 2016. The first promising sign was in January, when he played a full 90 minutes with the U.S. national team in a friendly against Bosnia. On Thursday, Morris once again played the full minutes, this time with the Rave Green as the lone striker. With a goal in each half, his confidence should be as high as it’s been in a long while.
2. It All Starts With Nico
Henry Wingo had an impressive one-touch volley to give the club a 2-0 lead, but it never would have happened without the impressive service from Nicolás Lodeiro. The Uruguayan international was the offensive engine all evening, laying passes left and right from the center of the park. He played the full 90 minutes as the central No. 10, which differs from his usual spot of drifting inside from the right flank. Let’s be real, though – he’s everywhere, always.
3. 4-2-3-1 For The Win
At times during the preseason, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer has tinkered with a 4-4-2 diamond, which allows more offensive weapons to see the field at once. Although we have yet to see a full-strength squad play in this formation, it’s clear the Sounders are most comfortable with a 4-2-3-1, which is what they used on Thursday.
4. Stef Is Ready For 2018
If Thursday’s friendly is any indication, Stefan Frei will continue where he left off in 2017. The 2016 MLS Cup MVP and 2017 MLS All Star recorded a solid shift against Sacramento Republic, making a couple acrobatic reactionary saves. The USL club was pushing heavily for an upset in front of its home crowd, but Frei managed to keep the attack at bay. The Swiss shotstopper looks to build on his career-best season, which saw him lead MLS in clean sheets.
The Sounders begin Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League against Santa Tecla FC next week, with the first leg being held in Santa Tecla, El Salvador on Thursday, February 22. The second leg will be held at CenturyLink Field on March 1. Tickets are available HERE.
