Jermain Defoe has been named in the Toronto starting lineup for tonight's MLS game against the Seattle Sounders.

Defoe, who joined the Canadian club from Tottenham Hotspur in January, starts in the club's first match of the new campaign.

Meanwhile, Julio Cesar also starts for Ryan Nelsen's men at CenturyLink Field against last season's MLS Cup winners, with Michael Bradley completing the trio of high-profile signings to make their debut.

Seattle, fresh from their late victory against Sporting Kansas City last time out, hand a first start of the season to another former Spurs player in Clint Dempsey.

Dempsey will take his place behind Obafemi Martins in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the Rave Green, while goalkeeper Stefan Frei will face his former team for the first time since leaving them.

Seattle Sounders: Frei, Yedlin, Marshall, Traore, Remick, Evans, Alonso, Neagle, Dempsey, Pappa, Martins

Toronto: Cesar, Bloom, Caldwell, Henry, Morrow, Jackson, Bradley, Osorio, Rey, Defoe, De Rosario