Is Dempsey worried about Sounders' slow start? Nope: 'The chemistry's still building'

SEATTLE – From Clint Dempsey’s point of view, this year’s incarnation of the Seattle Sounders is still very much a work in progress

Which is a good thing, because the 0-2 Sounders could stand to make a little progress when they face off with the Vancouver Whitecaps at 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Field on Q13 FOX.

Dempsey said that for his part, he’s working hard to mesh with his new teammate up front in 21-year-old Jordan Morris, but that the "chemistry is still building" in the season's early days.

“He’s still working,” Dempsey said. “We’re trying to figure each other out, and how we play. I’m more the style that likes to link up with people, give-and-go here and there. He’s more of a runner, getting behind the line.

“So just mixing it up, and us getting on the same page and finding each other in the game. But we haven’t played many games with each other, but he works hard, and even the first time I was interviewed about him I said this kid has a kind of bright future.”

The Sounders’ year started off with a 3-1 loss at Club America in the CONCACAF Champions League, which was soon followed by a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City and a 2-1 loss at Real Salt Lake.

Dempsey said to expect a firey matchup with Vancouver, which is also off to an 0-2 start.

“They’re going to be hungry,” Dempsey said. “They want to win. We want to win. We’re at home, we want to be dominant here, we don’t want to be losing games.

“I think it’s going to be a tough game, adding to the Cascadia Cup rivalry, and then just the games we’ve had against them in the past. I think it’ll be an exciting game for the fans, even more so because of the two losses the teams have conceded.”

Dempsey said he’s also working on fine-tuning his own game.

“(I’m trying to) figure out things and see points in the game where maybe instead of crossing the bar here, can you see me on the inside?” he said. “Or can I make a different run?

Is there something I’m doing in terms of the runs that I’m making, and maybe I need to gamble on crosses and not try to wait and see where the ball’s going and then make the run – just try to go and guess before it’s even crossed because that’s not really getting on the end of things.”