Seattle

Toronto Coach Greg Vanney felt he needed to clarify his prior remark questioning whether the Sounders were “ready for the intensity of an MLS Cup final.” Reportedly “miffed that his previous comments gained such traction” Vanney said they were “probably not well-articulated in the moment.” Maybe he wasn’t ready for the intensity of the media coverage before an MLS Cup final?

Stefan Frei talks defensive strategy and not letting Toronto play their game at the MLS Cup final.

Despite that there is little love lost between Toronto and Seattle fans on the eve of our MLS Cup rematch, the teams have a surprising number of connections — including Eriq Zavaleta.

Ever wondered about the MLS Cup hardware? Here is the backstory behind the Philip F Anschutz Trophy.

Toronto striker and USMNT star Jozy Altidore was injured in Toronto’s last match against Columbus. Yesterday Altidore returned to limited team practice and says he expects to be ready to play on Saturday.

MLS

Has MLS become a league of haves and have-nots where only teams that spend can succeed? Four Four Two thinks that the Seattle/Toronto MLS Cup rematch is evidence that we have reached that point.

Representatives of the four finalists for MLS expansion will be in New York today to make their “closing arguments” in support of their bids to MLS Commissioner Don Garber and the Expansion Committee. Here are analyses from Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento.

Not a lot has been said about what happens next for the eight cities left on the outside, looking in after the bidding process.

Houston and Columbus, having been eliminated from the MLS playoffs, were required to report options exercised and bona fide offers by December 1. Dynamo Theory discusses all of Houston’s roster moves. Massive Report ran down the Crew’s roster status.

USA

Yesterday when the news emerged that Sunil Gulati was not going to run for reelection for USSF President, there was some speculation that Soccer United Marketing president Kathy Carter might throw her hat into the ring. Today it is official.

Soccer Daily profiles Kathy Carter’s unique career in soccer and sports marketing.

World

The Liga MX Apertura season championship match is set and in a twist, the finalists are both from Monterrey (the Monterrey Rayados v. the Tigres UANL). The intra-city derby between the sides is called the “Clásico Regio” (Clásico Regiomontano). Though not the most famous of the Mexican clásicos, it is a heated rivalry and this is the first time the two sides have met in a Liguilla title match.

After 14 weeks Barcelona is still unbeaten and sitting on top of the table in La Liga. But Atletico de Madrid (who are also unbeaten) was able to move into third place when Real Madrid tied and second-place Valencia lost. The Atleti now sit just one point behind Valencia and six points behind Barcelona.