Seattle Sounders Vs Toronto FC: The gameplan for both teams

With MLS Cup upcoming this Sunday, it is time to take a look at the respective gameplans of Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders and how each intends the game to progress.

MLS Cup is finally here as the Seattle Sounders get set to host Toronto FC. This will be the third MLS Cup final between these two teams in the last four years as both clubs continue to help set the standard for Major League Soccer as a whole. This time, the Sounders have the honor of hosting the cup final with likely 72,000 in attendance.

Seattle won the first battle between these teams back in 2016. The match remained 0-0 after extra time and Seattle survived without managing a single shot on goal. That perseverance paid off as they captured the cup on penalty kicks. Toronto managed their revenge a year later, again at BMO Field with an undeniable 2-0 win to complete their treble and cement their season as the best in MLS history.

This Sunday, the trilogy will be completed as these teams look for the ultimate bragging rights in a gritty, impressive era of match-ups. And yet, despite all the similarities, these powerhouses are likely to approach this final from opposite ends. Seattle will likely try to be the aggressor in front of their home faithful while Toronto will probably dig in and look to grind out the victory.

Here’s what either team’s dream scenario is for Sunday’s 24th edition of MLS Cup.

The Seattle Sounders have an inherent advantage on Sunday. With CenturyLink field at full capacity, the Sounders should have over 72,000 fans behind them as they look to capture their second MLS Cup. If you don’t think that’s an advantage, just ask the Atlanta United players how they felt about playing at home last December.

With all that support behind them, Seattle will look to dominate early. Brian Schmetzer has been displaying his charismatic personality lately and I expect that to bleed into the team’s mentality. In a perfect situation, the Sounders will open the scoring and looking to suffocate Toronto in a claustrophobic, raucous atmosphere.

With the lead, they can sit back a little more, rely on an improving defense and excellent central midfield, a unit that largely repelled Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference Final, and hit Toronto with their searing speed on the counter-attack. Jordan Morris could have a field day. And if they get a second goal, it could be game over. The first goal, as always, will be vital.

For Toronto FC, on the other hand, a best-case scenario is much simpler: resist. In fact, the Reds have nothing to lose. Not many people expected them to make it this far, and although veteran coach Greg Vanney and his experienced squad have a ‘been there, done that’ mentality, they can be proud of making it to yet another MLS Cup.

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Against D.C. United in the first round, Toronto held on to a 1-0 lead until conceding in stoppage time. With things tied up at 1-1, then exploded offensively in extra-time to win by a final score of 5-1. In the conference semi-finals, against New York City FC, Toronto FC jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, conceded in the second half, but hung tough and found a game-winner late on. Against Atlanta United in the conference final, Toronto conceded in the first ten minutes, answered quickly five minutes later, then found a winner in the 78th minute.

The running theme here is that despite conceding at last one goal in each playoff match, Toronto have been able to claw their way back to a victory. Their big-game experience from recent years continues to pay off and should play a significant factor in Sunday’s match as well.

The best-case scenario for the Reds is simple: keep the game close until the end. If they can be within a one-goal margin in the final 20 minutes, their experience, winning mentality and squad depth will unquestionably come into play. Richie Laryea has been instrumental from off the bench, while talismanic striker Jozy Altidore could also be available for selection after missing the entirety of the playoffs thus far. If he enters the game with Toronto in touch, it could spell trouble for the Sounders.

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With the final being hosted in Seattle, in front of so many people, I expect the Sounders to get things done. They have the more complete team and more talented attack. But Toronto FC have been counted out before. It would be naive to do so entirely once again.

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