VANCOUVER — All season long, Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer has put a huge emphasis on “next man up.” Whether it’s an injury, international duty or even a baby being born in Barcelona, the Rave Green have faced a season of challenges and missed time. Schmetzer’s side hasn’t missed a beat, though. This was evident in Sunday’s scoreless draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals at BC Place.
Between Clint Dempsey’s one-game suspension and injuries to Jordan Morris, Osvaldo Alonso, Gustav Svensson and Victor Rodriguez, it wasn’t the ideal Starting XI that Seattle would hope for in a postseason match.