Sounders defender Roman Torres is suspended for the team's home opener Sunday, forcing midfielder Gustav Svensson to make his first start at the center back position. Oniel Fisher takes over at right back.
Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson has spent the opening weeks of the Major League Soccer season helping the team cope with the key loss of one veteran defender and now will do the same with another.
Swedish import Svensson, 30, had filled in at right back the Sounders’ first two games in place of an injured Brad Evans. Now, for Sunday’s home opener against the dangerous New York Red Bulls, Svensson heads to center back to replace Roman Torres, suspended one game for violent conduct against Montreal last weekend.