I agree about the depth, especially on defense with the injuries. But the starters? We lost 3 starters from last year: Sands, Gudi, and Medina. Maybe count Shradi as half (he started 14 games in 2021). Sands is the only one on any top 5 lists, though we certainly miss Gudi. And he only started 20 games himself - he was basically 60% of a left back duo. I would argue our starting wingers last night are an upgrade over a Medina/Shradi combo, even if Talles and Andrade aren't Top 5 (yet?).
I think our 2022 problems are missing Tinnerholm, Chanot, and Sands.
Chanot, Sands and Callens allowed both outside backs to go forward with minimal risk, and almost always cleaned up other players' failures on defense. Tinnerholm required less cover than the Thorarinsson/Amundsen combo on the left, so the big three could shade their attention to their sidewhile completely smothering the middle. Tayvon Gray is solid but is not as complete on the entire range of the Tinnerholm spectrum of offense to defense and back. Having Chanot and Sands late last year allowed us to get through the playoffs despite missing Tinnerholm. Chanot/Callens/Sands were that good.
I really wish we hadn't given up the third goal, however it happened. But 3-1 in Seattle without Maxi or Chanot (Tinnerholm is gone for too long to cry about any single game) is a decent result.