Seattle Sounders Vs Olimpia: 4 things we learned – Welcome, Joao Paulo

1. Depth key for Sounders

For all of the earlier concerns about the Seattle Sounders’ strength, or lack thereof, the first leg versus Olimpia displayed the overall depth of the roster. When you consider the absence of the likes of Nicolas Lodeiro (right hamstring tendinitis), Gustav Svensson (left calf strain), Harry Shipp (illness) and Will Bruin (right ACL tear), the lineup was still a strong one.

Further to this, Joevin Jones deserves praise for his performance on Thursday night. He arguably wouldn’t have been in the starting XI if everyone was available, but he took the opportunity and proved his worth to the club.

Another reason for optimism and calm despite the collapse after leading two-nil just comes down to general fitness levels. This was the Sounders’ first competitive game of 2020, compared to an Olimpia team which is in the full throes of their season. With such a deep squad to rotate through, Brian Schmetzer will have the opportunity to both get his players sharp quickly and also maintain their freshness throughout the season, which will pay dividends.

What was your overall takeaway from Thursday night’s 2-2 draw? How confident are you in the Seattle Sounders’ chances of advancing to the next round of the Champions League? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.