The Sounders built depth among a group of midfielders. But much of that midfield depth has battled injuries. And now, the Sounders are shorthanded earlier than expected and must get through these coming weeks any way they can.
Part of the offseason construction of this Sounders roster involved knowledge that they would be shorthanded from late May through June because of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
It was a big reason the squad spent $632,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) on Korean center back Kim Kee-hee. Also, why it built depth among a group of spry, playmaking midfielders.