Sounders at Toronto FC, MLS Cup Final: Full coverage

The 2017 MLS Cup Final is a rematch of the 2016 contest that Seattle Sounders won, but the two teams are different. Toronto FC set the record for points earned by an MLS team with 69. They sit poised to earn the first treble in MLS history. They also added an MLS Best XI creative midfielder — Victor Vazquez.

Wearing a star all of 2017, about a third of Seattle’s roster is different. Expected starters Will Bruin, Victor Rodriguez, Gustav Svensson and Kelvin Leerdam were not on the Cup-winning team. Clint Dempsey had to watch in street clothes due to heart issues. Even the depth of Seattle is different, as possible starters/members of the 18 Harry Shipp, Nouhou, Jordy Delem, and Lamar Neagle are new to the 2017 team. There are many other new players with lesser contributions throughout the season, as well.

How did they get here

TFC beat Columbus Crew SC 1-0 on aggregate in the Eastern Conference Finals. They advanced over the New York Red Bulls on the away goal tie-breaker after drawing 2-2. The Reds had 69 points, winning the Supporters’ Shield and Canadian Championship.

SSFC crushed the Houston Dynamo 5-0 in the Western Conference Finals. They beat Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0. Seattle finished with 53 points and finished second in the West during the regular season.

Clint Dempsey is the leading goal-scorer in the MLS Cup Playoffs with three goals. Stefan Frei and the Sounders have yet to give up a goal in the 2017 playoffs.

Head-to-Head

Regular Season Series 2017: TFC won 1-0.

Coverage of last year’s MLS Cup win

All-Time: Sounders are 7-3-2 in regular season and 7-3-3 in all competitions against TFC.

Trophy case comparison

Sounders (15): 1 MLS Cup, 1 Supporters’ Shield, 4 Open Cups
2 USL titles, 2 A-League titles, 2 USL Commissioner Cups, 2 A-League regular season titles, 1 NASL Top of Table

Reds (7): 1 Supporters’ Shield, 6 Canadian Championships
TFC did not take on the name or history of the earlier editions of pro soccer in Toronto.

How to Watch

Date/Time: December 9, 2016 at 1:00 PM Pacific

Venue: BMO Field

Television: ESPN, UniMás, TSN, TVAS

Radio: KIRO-FM Seattle 97.3 (English), El Rey 1360 AM (Spanish)

Streaming: MLS Live