Seattle’s second-half substitutes during its 2-2 draw with Club America in Leg 1 of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday night were telling for a couple of reasons.
They underscored the difference in quality of depth between MLS and Liga MX, for one.
Even fielding a half-strength starting XI, Club America could still call upon in-their-prime proven entities Andres Andrade and Osmar Mares as reinforcements off the bench. Seattle, meanwhile, called upon a pair of second-year players in Cristian Roldan and Darwin Jones and third-year midfielder Aaron Kovar.
This is what the Sounders’ oft-stated desire to get younger on the back end of their rotation looks like in practice.