Saturday’s MLS Cup between Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders at BMO Field features a few intriguing individual battles.
The marquee match-up pits TFC’s Sebastian Giovinco against the Sounders’ Nicolas Lodeiro due to their vision and technique. However, other key battles include U.S. internationals Jozy Altidore and Jordan Morris, plus midfielders Michael Bradley and Osvaldo Alonso.
These are two balanced sides with a pair of MLS’ most consistent goalkeepers, strong defences, and two of the league’s most exciting attackers. But who has the edge in all four areas of the pitch?
Here is a closer look at every position from the goalkeepers, all the way up to the forwards.
GOALKEEPER
Former TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei has arguably been Seattle’s most consistent player at the back since his arrival in 2015, and he has been key to the Sounders’ run to the final. Frei has posted three clean sheets in the playoffs while only allowing two goals in five matches. The saves against FC Dallas in the second leg of the Western Conference semifinal were crucial because had the shot-stopper not been alert, Dallas would’ve mounted a comeback. The same can be said about Frei’s performance in the first leg of the conference final versus the Colorado Rapids.
On the other end of the pitch, Clint Irwin began the playoffs positively, but he went on to concede five goals against the Montreal Impact in the Eastern Conference final. However, he was often exposed by TFC’s defence and had little chance of saving most of the goals.
Irwin and Frei are both boisterous and command their areas well, although the latter is slightly more vocal. Their shot-stopping abilities are also similar. It’s a toss-up, but given Frei’s key saves in the playoffs, he has the slight advantage.
Edge: Seattle Sounders
DEFENCE
Toronto FC’s defence was superior to the Seattle Sounders’ backline throughout the year, except for the conference finals. The Impact’s counter-attacking system often exposed TFC’s backline and caught the defenders out of position.
Toronto’s three-man defence looked practically unbeatable until that Impact game, but even still, this group only allowed 39 goals during the regular season and practically shut down New York City FC’s high-octane attack in the playoffs.
The Sounders defence rounded into form when Roman Torres returned from injury. Seattle has lost just two of its last 13 games when Torres has started. The team also recorded six clean sheets in that span, including three in the post-season.
Based on the chemistry and the strength of the three-man defence for TFC, conference final aside, the Reds win this battle by a thin margin.
Edge: Toronto FC
MIDFIELD
The midfield battle, like in every match, will be crucial. Both midfields contain a balance of grit and creativity, so it’s no surprise that this will be the most hotly contested clash in the final.
Osvaldo Alonso is one of the premier defensive midfielders in MLS. Meanwhile, Cristian Roldan has excelled beside Alonso in his second season. While the Cuban sits back, breaks up any oncoming attacks and reignites the attack, Roldan provides the creativity, as does Nicolas Lodeiro, who will be Seattle’s key player in this game.
The Sounders have the likes of Andreas Ivanschitz, Erik Friberg and Alvaro Fernandez as secondary options, but TFC’s depth is even more impressive. Michael Bradley, Armando Cooper and one of Jonathan Osorio or Will Johnson are the usual starters. Benoit Cheyrou, who was one of Toronto’s most consistent midfielders a year ago, is now on the bench, which speaks to the strength of the Reds’ midfield.
The strength in depth and superior experience gives TFC the advantage in this area of the pitch.
Edge: Toronto FC
FORWARDS
MLS Rookie of the Year Jordan Morris has steadily improved with every appearance and has provided some crucial goals along the way. None were more important than the strike against the Colorado Rapids in the second leg of the conference final. Nelson Valdez has also been clutch, as he bagged the winner versus Sporting Kansas City in the knockout round and opened the scoring in the first leg of the conference semifinal as well.
However, TFC’s forward duo of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore is second to none. Giovinco recorded 17 goals and 15 assists during the regular season, Altidore had 10 goals and five assists, plus he became the first player in MLS history to score in five straight playoffs in the same post-season campaign.
As for Giovinco, he did not score in the Eastern Conference final, but he set up Altidore for his goal in the second leg and is a constant danger in the final third. That is why TFC is superior in this department.
Edge: Toronto FC
COACHES
No coach in MLS experienced a more positive run of form than the Sounders’ Brian Schmetzer. Seattle was practically dead and buried, but two losses in its final 15 regular-season games lifted the team from the Emerald City into fourth place in the West. Schmetzer followed that up with triumphs over Sporting KC, Supporters’ Shield winners FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, who hadn’t lost at home all year until the conference final.
The play of Nicolas Lodeiro helped, but Schmetzer also reorganized the backline, instilled tactical versatility and made the Sounders difficult to beat in the post-season.
Speaking of tactical versatility, few coaches in MLS have done a better job with this than TFC’s Greg Vanney. Toronto utilized a three-man back line, a diamond midfield, a 4-3-3 and a few other systems throughout the year. Even with injuries, Vanney managed to get the most out of every player in the squad and they barely skipped a beat without the likes of Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Will Johnson and Clint Irwin.
Due to a larger sample of games, Vanney has a small advantage over Schmetzer, but this will be one of the best coaching duels of the playoffs.
Edge: Toronto FC
INTANGIBLES
Home field advantage, big-game experience, weather, travel and form are intangibles that could shape the MLS Cup final.
TFC has the edge when it comes to home-field advantage and travel. Seattle player’s body clocks are three hours behind the Eastern time zone and arrived in Toronto on Wednesday night. The weather will affect both sides, so that is a draw.
As for big-game experience, TFC has plenty of it. Will Johnson has won MLS Cup with Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers. Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore have played at World Cups and in top European leagues. Sebastian Giovinco has represented Italy, Juventus and Parma as well. The Sounders have Paraguay international Nelson Valdez and Uruguay international Nicolas Lodeiro, who also has Copa Libertadores and Champions League experience. As well, full-back Tyrone Mears has dozens of Premier League games under his belt.
However, the Sounders do not have as much pressure on their shoulders as the visiting team. They also have just one loss and it came against FC Dallas in the second of the conference final. Therefore, Seattle wins this battle.
Edge: Seattle Sounders
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