TORONTO – Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer opted for a veteran-laden lineup Saturday, sending rookie Nouhou to the bench and bumping Joevin Jones to his regular left-back spot so midfielder Victor Rodriguez could be inserted up along the left wing.
But the move generated next to no offense. Toronto FC shut down Rodriguez and playmaking midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro to the point where they were nonfactors. In fact, the Sounders spent the first half making single-touch passes and turning the ball over only seconds after gaining possession.
“We put our best attacking lineup out there,’’ Schmetzer said afterward.