In the midst of a bye week, Toronto FC’s top brass was rooted to its couches to take in Seattle’s 1-0 last-gasp win over visiting Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

In front of close to 40,000 fans at a rain-soaked CenturyLink Field, the hosts eventually overran last year’s MLS Cup winners, who rested a number of players in anticipation of a midweek CONACAF Champions League match.

Though rusty and out of rhythm through the opening half, Seattle eventually asserted itself when Clint Dempsey entered at the hour mark, leading to former TFC boo boy Chad Barrett scoring a close-range winner in the 94th minute.

It was a match that offered TFC’s management and players a taste of what they have to look forward to when they open their season in the Pacific Northwest next weekend.

As a result, there’s no excuse for the Reds not to be prepared when they take on the Rave Green, especially after receiving news Saturday that Jermain Defoe is 100% healthy and ready to go after missing his final game at Tottenham with a hamstring strain.

Without further adieu, here are five things Toronto FC should take away from Seattle’s opening day win.

1-KEEP EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF YOU

Sporting KC defended well for 93 minutes against Seattle on Saturday. Unfortunately for the defending champs, the game ventured into the 94th. And, had it not been for Seattle’s last-gasp counterattack, Kansas City would have earned an important point on the road. On what was essentially the final play of the game, Kansas City’s midfield became too stretched, allowing Seattle’s Osvaldo Alonso to recover possession and take advantage of the space. After carrying the ball free and clear for 30 metres, Alonso played the pass prior to the pass that led to the game’s only goal. Going back to Alonso recovering possession, had KC’s Ike Opara not lunged in, he could have kept the play in front of him and forced Alonso to go east-west instead of north-south, ending the danger. The only time Seattle looked dangerous on Saturday was in space. Other than that, they looked lost in possession. As a result, whoever pairs in TFC’s midfield — Michael Bradley remains questionable — can’t let Seattle’s midfielders exploit the space in front of TFC’s back four.

2-TEST STEFAN FREI FROM ANYWHERE

If you’re a Toronto FC fan, you had to feel good for your club’s former No. 1 ’keeper on Saturday. After earning his first MLS shutout in years, Stefan Frei’s smile stretched from ear-to-ear. That said, in Seattle’s 1-0 win over Kansas City on Saturday, Frei showed rust. He spilled an early shot from Graham Zusi before entering into a number of questionable aerial battles. He also didn’t look completely comfortable with the ball at his feet. Still jelling, the Reds aren’t going to get a ton of opportunities on Saturday. So, when in range, they need to make Frei work, especially if similar rainy conditions persist in the Pacific Northwest.

3-WIN THE BATTLE ON THE WINGS

The Sounders are good up front and solid at the back. On the wings, though, they have the potential to be outclassed. Against Kansas City on Saturday, Seattle’s Marco Pappa looked unsettled. Kenny Cooper, who played out right following Clint Dempsey’s entrance, looked out of place. Seattle’s third option out wide? Chad Barrett, who TFC fans ran out of town not long ago. There’s an opportunity for TFC’s Alvaro Rey, Jackson and Dwayne De Rosario to get the better of whoever they match up against in Seattle. So, rather than attack Seattle’s solid spine — Osvaldo Alonso, Chad Marshall, Djimi Traore and Brad Evans – go at their faux wingers and inexperienced outside backs. It might be the only way through.

4-SLOW DOWN THE GAME

For an MLS opener, Seattle-Kansas City didn’t provide the kind of punch most viewers were looking for. It’s what Kansas City wanted. The visitors did a fantastic job of sucking the excitement out of the game by slowing things down, standing over restarts and taking fouls early and often. At one point Saturday, play was being whistled every 90 seconds. It prevented Seattle from getting into any kind of rhythm. It also prevented Seattle’s raucous home support from putting its stamp on the game. Like Kansas City, the Reds can’t get rattled next weekend — and must focus on dismantling the flow of the game before anything else, especially with a roster that lacks familiarity.

5-DEMPSEY TO OBI

Sounders Designated Player Clint Dempsey will leave most of the hustle and muscle to Obafemi Martins up front. Playing as a No. 10 for most of Saturday night, the American international always seemed to pick his head up and attempt to play his Nigerian teammate in behind Kansas City’s back four. Assuming Dempsey starts beneath Obi up front next weekend, Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry have to show caution whenever Dempsey’s on the ball. He’ll be looking pick out Martins exploiting any of the three channels that might open up across TFC’s back four.