The Starting XI
Less than three months after Stefan Frei made the save of the century, Roman Torres netted the deciding penalty kick and the Sounders paraded around the Space Needle in celebration of their first MLS Cup, they return to the pitch on Saturday against the Dynamo in Houston to open the 2017 season.
These are the Sounders who will attempt to defend the Cup.
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24 | Stefan Frei | GK
Hometown: Altstaetten, Switzerland
Age: 30
Height/Weight: 6-3, 195
One of the league’s steadiest keepers, Frei will forever be defined by his iconic save on Jozy Altidore’s extra-time header in the MLS Cup final. Recorded four playoff shutouts in six matches and became franchise’s career record holder with 48 wins and 301 saves.
33 | Joevin Jones | D
Hometown: Carenage, Trinidad & Tobago
Age: 25
Height/Weight: 5-11, 160
Now entering his third season – his second with Sounders – Jones provides flair as one of the league’s best at the left back position. Had two goals and three assists in 33 regular season appearances last year, and set a club record with three playoff assists.
14 | Chad Marshall | D
Hometown: Riverside, Calif.
Age: 32
Height/Weight: 6-4, 190
Anchors back four by imposing physical will on opponents, especially in the air. The three-time MLS Defensive Player of the Year, most recently in 2014, is coming off one of his better seasons and looked solid in return from U.S. natioal team camp in January, showing no physical effects.
29 | Román Torres | D
Hometown: Panama City, Panama
Age: 33
Height/Weight: 6-1, 170
His winning goal during penalty kicks gave the Sounders their first MLS Cup title, but known more for physical defensive style at center back. After missing nearly a full year with leg injury, returned in August and helped hold opponents to just 10 goals in his 13 starts.
4 | Gustav Svensson | D
Hometown: Gothenberg, Sweden
Age: 30
Height/Weight: 6-0, 170
A versatile, defensive-minded midfielder that transferred from Chinese Super League, Svensson will be stepping in early at right back to replace the injured Brad Evans. Known for a physical, possession-oriented game punctuated by ability to make long runs throughout the match due to supreme fitness level.
6 | Osvaldo Alonso | MF
Hometown: San Cristobal, Cuba
Age: 31
Height/Weight: 5-11,155
Never afraid to mix it up physically as one of the league’s top defensive midfielders, Alonso was limited to two preseason appearances after knee injury in last year’s playoffs. One of squad’s true stalwarts, playing 32 regular season games last season and 30 or more in four of his eight campaigns since 2009 debut.
7 | Cristian Roldan | MF
Hometown: Pico River, Calif.
Age: 21
Height/Weight: 5-8, 165
Former Washington Huskies star enters third season as the leader of a hard-charging youth movement slowly transforming team’s look. Had four goals, three assists in 28 starts last season and played in all six playoff games.
10 | Nicolas Lodeiro | MF
Hometown: Paysandu, Uruguay
Age: 27
Height/Weight: 5-7, 150
Transferred from Boca Juniors on July 27 last season and immediately transformed Sounders’ attack with four goals, eight assists in 13 regular season games. Became third Sounders player to win MLS Newcomer of the Year honors, then set club record with four playoff goals to lead team to its first MLS title.
2 | Clint Dempsey | F
Hometown: Nacodoches, Texas
Age: 33
Height/Weight: 6-1, 170
One of the most decorated players in U.S. history had eight goals, two assists in 17 games last season before being sidelined by an irregular heartbeat. Played 80 minutes his last preseason game, but questions loom on whether former U.S. men’s national team captain can regain previous explosive form.
13 | Jordan Morris | F
Hometown: Mercer Island, Wash.
Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6-0, 185
The Sounders’ homegrown player captured MLS Rookie of the Year honors with 12 goals, six of them game winners, after failing to score his opening five matches. Former MAC Hermann award winner with Stanford has 14 appearances with the U.S. national team.
3 | Alvaro Fernandez | F
Hometown: Soriano, Uruguay
Age: 31
Height/Weight: 6-1, 159
Fernandez started eight of 10 games after returning to Seattle in July from Gimnasia of Argentina, then played in three of six playoff contests. Played with Sounders starting midway through their debut season, until being traded to Chicago Fire midway through 2012.