MLS Cup final, Toronto FC vs. Seattle Sounders: Highlights, score and recap

Toronto FC host the Seattle Sounders in an MLS Cup final matchup for the ages. Here are the full highlights and recap, along with the final score.

The MLS Cup this year features a matchup of two teams seeking their first ever trophy. They’re also arguably the two best fanbases in MLS, so a win would for either be nothing less than what their fans deserve. But on the field, this should be an excellent match between two teams that play to their strengths.

The Seattle Sounders have made it to the MLS Cup because of their midfield. Nicolas Lodeiro joined the club in mid-season and has been a revelation, scoring four goals in five games in the playoffs. In addition, their defensive midfield duo, consisting of Osvaldo Alonso and Christian Roldan, has made scoring against Seattle practically impossible.

But it’s easy to hold teams with the attacking prowess of Sporting Kansas City and Colorado Rapids. It’s a much different ask to contain Toronto FC, who boast arguably the best attacker in league history in Sebastian Giovinco.

Toronto were a one-man team last year, which is why they suffered an early exit in the playoffs. This year, they look much more balanced. They spent big on defense in the offseason, and landed two impact players in Drew Moor and Clint Irwin. Will Johnson also brings some defensive stability to a midfield that likes to press. And in attack, late additions Armando Cooper and Tosaint Ricketts inject plenty of energy into their lineup.

But the focus on Toronto remains squarely on their designated players. Since they joined the league in 2015, Giovinco and Jozy Altidore have combined for 71 goals and 44 assists. Giovinco has contributed to most of that, but Altidore has been a totally different beast in the playoffs this season. He set an MLS playoff record by scoring five goals in as many matches, and was the reason they beat Montreal in the Eastern Conference finals.

The point being, Toronto have a prolific offense, and the Sounders will have their hands full trying to contain them. All of it should lead to what might be the best MLS Cup in recent memory.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/807768477285175296

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/807794159746686976

Three stars (projected)

1. Sebastian Giovinco 

Toronto scored seven goals against the Montreal Impact, and Sebastian Giovinco didn’t score a single one. In addition, he was substituted before the end of the second leg, and his team won the tie without him. Nevertheless, the Atomic Ant remains Toronto’s most important player, and if they win, it’ll likely be because of his efforts.

2. Jozy Altidore

Altidore has been Toronto’s most important player during the playoffs, and he won’t want Giovinco to steal the spotlight from him. If he scores, he’ll be the only player ever to score in all six playoff games. But even if he doesn’t find the back of the net, he should contribute in a positive way to his team.

3. Nicolas Lodeiro

He’s been Seattle’s man of the hour, and they’ll need him to come through if they want to win on the road. He has the talent to hold his own against Altidore and Giovinco, but he’ll need some help to get the Sounders over the top.

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There has been no shortage of anticipation prior to kickoff, and if the game lives up to it, the real winner will be the fans. But the players won’t look to put on a show, they’ll look to win.