Sounders must adapt without Morris

Matt Pentz looks at the challenges the Seattle Sound will face this season, including the absence of left winger Jordan Morris:

“Just look at this heat map from TruMedia, which shows the average position of all Seattle players over the course of last season, and keep in mind that Morris played on the left wing. 

Other advanced metrics from last season bode more positively for the Sounders. They finished close to the top of the league in possession, touches, passes attempted and pass completion in the final third. They like to proactively take control of games and dictate tempo; that’s unlikely to change given that most of the midfield remains intact, and such a style can help teams ride out stretches when they might not be their sharpest. Their expected goals and assists were both third in MLS, a good sign that they aren’t due for too much regression. “

Full article: The Athletic