During last year’s miracle run to win MLS Cup, Brian Schmetzer’s changes to the starting XI were nearly always due to player health. He rode the squad hard, and it paid off. Most changes this year are also due to player health. The exceptions are at the left mid/target forward spot when the switch to put Jordan Morris wide, start Will Bruin up top and bench Harry Shipp was for tactical purposes.
The next three games are a different situation. Saturday night the Seattle Sounders are at Chicago. On Wednesday they are at Kansas City and then on the Saturday the 20th the Sounders host Salt Lake.