As expected, the Sounders will go with a mix of youth and experience this evening, but they'll do so with a far stronger lineup than might have been expected. The back line gives the impression that Seattle will be looking to sit back and counter a bit more than usual, but this is a team much heavier on regulars than the one that faced Monterrey in Seattle's last CCL game.
Aside from Leo Gonzalez getting the start against the club with whom he began his career and made over 150 appearances, most notable is the fact that Alvaro Fernandez is getting the start in central midfield. That's something Sounders fans have wanted to see more of since he joined the team, and it could be a preview of the manner in which he'll be utilized next season.
Sounders XI:
Kasey Keller; Zach Scott, Patrick Ianni, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez; Roger Levesque, Servando Carrasco, Alvaro Fernandez, Lamar Neagle; Fredy Montero, Nate Jaqua
CS Herediano XI:
Daniel Cambronero; Cristian Montero, Jose Luis Cordero, Marvin Obando, Pablo Salazar; Jose Miguel Cubero, Junior Alvarado, Jose Carlos Cancela; Anderson Andrade, Victor Nunez, Olman Vargas
We'll have information about the substitutes for each team when it becomes available.