The Sounders go with a nearly first-choice lineup against San Francisco this evening, the only changes from what has become Sigi Schmid's full-strength selection being Leo Gonzalez starting in place of the injured Tyson Wahl, Pat Ianni starting for the injured Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (who did not make the trip to Panama) and Lamar Neagle on in place of Alvaro Fernandez. That's a bit of a departure from Seattle's approach to the qualifying round last season, when Schmid opted for more of a mixture of first-teamers and reserves.
The key to this game will be the Sounders ability to press an inexperienced San Francisco back line. If the Sounders are able to return home with a lead headed into the second leg, Seattle will have the opportunity to rest some first-choice players during a time with slightly more fixture congestion.
Here's Seattle's lineups; San Francisco's lineups have not been posted as of yet.
Sounders XI: Keller; Riley, Ianni, Parke, Gonzalez; Rosales, Alonso, Friberg, Neagle; Montero, Levesque
Sounders Bench: Fucito, Fernandez, Scott, Jaqua, Carrsaco, Noonan, Ford