Toronto FC wary of Dempsey, the "X-factor" in Sounders' balanced attack

Clint Dempsey - Seattle Sounders - takes the ball past Raheem Edwards - Toronto FC

TORONTO – Among the many threats that the Seattle Sounders possess, one stands above the rest.


Deep into their preparations for the MLS Cup final on Saturday (4 pm ET | ESPN, UniMƔs, TSN, TVAS), Toronto FC are wary of a potent Sounders attack that has outscored opponents 7-0 in these Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.


Of primary concern is one Clint Dempsey, who leads the postseason with three goals through four matches.


Toronto's Greg Vanney calls Dempsey an ā€œX-factor.ā€


ā€œHis ability to sniff out a situation, to technically be able to pull [it] off,ā€ said Vanney, ā€œadd that to [playmaker Nicolas] Lodeiro; they've been able to get some minutes together.ā€


Justin Morrow lifted the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup alongside Dempsey with the US national team, and understands just how much danger he presents.


ā€œClint has been in all the big matches, experienced a lot in his career, has tons of skill and talent to go with it,ā€ said Morrow. ā€œHe can hurt you in any moment.ā€


Added fellow defender Steven Beitashour: ā€œYou just look at his career: a star player in this league and others. You have to keep eye out for him from minute 1 to 90, and past that if we go past that. You want to limit his chances for sure.ā€


That said, Toronto have faced comparable threats throughout these playoffs.


Against the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it was Sacha Kljestan who occupied a similar spot on the pitch. Against Columbus Crew SC in the Eastern Conference Championship, it was Federico Higuain's turn to seek space between the lines.


Neither was particularly successful against a stifling TFC defense that has conceded two goals through four playoff matches, those being a penalty kick and a long-range, heavily-deflected strike.


ā€œHe's a fantastic player. His resume speaks for itself; the way he continues to play speaks for itself. It's another challenge we'll have to deal with as a defense,ā€ said Reds goalkeeper Alex Bono of Dempsey. ā€œWe've played against guys who have that role: withdrawn, sit in front of the back line. We've adjusted.


ā€œIt's something we'll prepare for and be ready for come the weekend. We'll be ready for anything that he'll throw at us.ā€


Toronto are no slouches themselves, boasting Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez in attack.


ā€œEverybody knows he's an amazing player,ā€ said Vazquez of Dempsey. ā€œHe's a scorer, has a lot of technique, always there between the lines, trying to cheat a little bit to not be defended well. He can go forward with Lodeiro, [Will] Bruin and Victor Rodriguez.ā€ 


ā€œWe are better,ā€ added Vazquez. ā€œWe have to take care more about us than them.ā€


Said Chris Mavinga: ā€œHe may be top scorer, but on my team [there are] good players also: Jozy, Seba. I don't care about Seattle. I just care about our team.ā€