It’s déjà vu from last year’s MLS Cup matchup. Both the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC played in Toronto last year to a thrilling penalty shootout that saw the Sounders’ Roman Torres bury the winning penalty at BMO Field for Seattle’s first MLS Cup.
Now, just one year later, Seattle has a chance to win back-to-back trophies, while Toronto look for revenge from last year and the chance to win the championship and Supporters Shield on their home turf.
Both teams look very similar to one year ago, with many of the players staying with their clubs in 2017. Seattle has had a number of new transfers, but arguably midfielder Gustav Svensson has been the most impactful. Having played as center back and midfielder throughout the season, the versatility of the Swedish international has been imperative for the Sounders through the season, especially when injuries plagued their back line.
Toronto added a game-changing midfielder of their own in Victor Vasquez, who has been a stable presence for Toronto as a leader in the middle of the pitch and a distributor into the attack. Vasquez’s experience playing for clubs like FC Barcelona and Club Brugge has been a big difference maker for the teams leadership, helping both on and off the field.
Unlike last year, with Seattle being the underdog, both teams finished atop or near the top of their respective conferences. Toronto won the Supporters Shield with a nice 69 points on the season in the East, while Seattle finished tied for first on points with Portland with 53 out West. This meant both teams had byes for the one-game knockout round that preceded the conference semifinals.
Seattle cruised by both their matchups en route to the final, beating Vancouver 2-0 on aggregate in the semifinals and beating Houston 5-0 over the two games played in the conference final. Toronto had a bit of a harder time, getting by on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate against the Red Bulls, while they managed a 1-0 win over Columbus to move on.
Both teams will have most of their players available for selection, with Seattle potentially missing some of their more veteran players in Brad Evans and Ozzie Alonso for the final.
The game will kick off on Saturday, December 9 at 4:00 on ESPN, with temperatures in Toronto expected to be a high of 30°F. Be sure to tune in for the final game of the 2017 MLS season.
