Toronto FC vs Seattle Sounders
MLS 2016 Final
Date: Sunday; 11th December 2016
Kick-off: 1:00 UK
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto.
This is it, the one and only match we are we were waiting for, Major League Soccer final and in its 2016 edition with two Cinderella squads representing both of its Conferences.
With the Seattle Sounders, making it their first trip to the league final after many attempts and after playing the final, three times in the Western Conference and losing the big one, this time the Rave Greens are in the grand fete.
As many know that the Emerald City squad, since its inception, they have been actively participating in the postseason uninterruptedly, this time they came with the label of underdogs, despite their all-around efforts after an odd campaign. These did the ultimate of feats and they deliver to their hardcore and loyal legion of followers the unthinkable of playing a final, alongside with a new man at their helm considered an alumnus from the organization since it early NASL days.
For Manager Brian Schmetzer to play the role of interim to full time Manager, after all of his accomplishments in the regular season of leveling the club into postseason contention to a brilliant and wondrous postseason run, as those results speak for themselves for a present time hardened Sounders. With his 4-2-3-1 formation considered as his favorite to use against the Toronto FC after the Queen City squad dominate their 401 foes the Montreal Impact after these used 4-3-3 and Greg Vanney all around strategies worked wonders against this formation.
Putting in a dire situation the strategies that already were working for newcomer Seattle Boss, now he has a lot to think about and evaluate how and when he will be putting in play a new set of strategies to stop the TFC revival.
For Toronto FC being the other Cinderella squad and after playing their second postseasons since their inception and these never making it to the playoffs after always posting modest campaigns, after several Bosses, finally Greg Vanney delivered to BMO Field.
As last campaign, their elimination came too soon and their participation in the postseason was a brief one that the front office think tanks here in Queen City finally started deliberating of how to deliver a winning squad to its utmost loyal fan base. Down but not out was the motto for the Reds of the TFC, after eliminating a total favorite in the NYCFC considered as the overall candidate to take it all, with the arsenal in their initial eleven the underdogs from up north did it.
Very well losing to Montréal and after being in the canvas these did get up and put on a fight and despite coming short in their quest to win or draw, their away goals and reaction touted as win. Still the outcome or second leg became more of a concern for the City of Mary chaps going to always difficult BMO Field to decide this affair between them and with another furious reaction and for their Manager playing his cards right, voila, the miracle consumed.
So far for second year Greg Vanney in the helm of the TFC, he has really turned this club into a total contender and a fighter that never gives up despite the oddities presented in all the campaign, at the end he produce results. Very well playing an unorthodox 3-5-2 formations that has delivered all round satisfaction and hence the latest outcome of the Toronto FC Boys being in the grand finale.
After writing history in the semifinals, seeing two Canadian squads for the first time playing it, now they are as a north of the border squad playing for the league shield as a first too and with a win they can round and rewire history in a spectacular way. Suddenly experts place the Toronto squad as all-around favourites in the final, as the Seattle Boys can play the role of underdogs and become as the spoilers at the end. This event does not guarantee any advantage for no one at the end.
With the tale of the tape for both Toronto and Seattle, this will give us an update for both squads a comparison in each of its positions and as many state before the big fight as pound per pound confrontation.
Let us analyze each squad possible initial elevens before the grand finale considered in this edition of Major league Soccer as an unusual and different from other finals.
The Goalies:
Outstanding is the word that I am looking for, to describe the spectacular and one of a kind performances given by both squads keepers, if this final would been decided by penalties, both squads strikers will have a tough time trying to beat these two men.
In this entire post-season, Toronto’s Clint Irwin has allowed six goals and seen at times shaky, but this chap can perform under the nets of the Reds, he is one of the reasons his Reds are in this stages.
In comparison to Seattle’s Stefan Frei just allowing three goals in the post-season since its start, the Sounders man has shown a lot of character and all around resolve in defending his nets not falling prey to anyone.
Advantage: Seattle Sounders
The Defense:
The heart and soul of every intimal eleven and with this important element, its how matches are decided in the end, especially if these squad backfield shows off decided to be a stingy one all ninety minutes of the whole match.
Let’s take on Seattle fab four, as their Manager Brian Schmetzer uses a traditional 4-2-3-1 formation with Roman Torres and Chad Marshall in its center and these believe me can do a lot of damage to any squad opposing strikers neutralizing their attack.
On their side with Joevin Jones and Tyrone Mears, the Rave Greens have some insurance to prevent any squad of penetrating their flanks and these aided by Ozzie Alonso and Cristian Roldan, the Seattle backfield is a sure brick wall for anyone’s offensive attack.
Taking on Toronto’s unorthodox formation adopted by their Boss Greg Vanney, this chap using a – 3-5-2 with just three defenders considered gold for their defensive Nick Hagglund, Drew Moor and Eriq Zavaleta.
These are very capable of putting an abrupt stop to any striker’s malicious and bad intended attack, very well reinforced by a brilliant midfield with Steve Breitashur and Justin Morrow playing both offensive and defensively.
Toronto can overcome and neutralize any squad all around attack towards its posts and stop cold in its tracks any squad momentum with a defensive gem.
Advantage: A slight edge for Seattle
The Midfield:
The fearsome five are the responsible for Greg Vanney success in this campaign, with Steven Breitashur and Justin Morrow playing defense and offense, these can be incorporated into the TFC attack under the wise direction of USMNT Michael Bradley this accompanied by Armando Cooper or Jonathan Osorio or Will Johnson.
As the main orchestrator and conductor of the TFC offensive attack in Bradley, this chap can direct and mobilize his men in different directions in order to assure a fantastic finish for both of his front men.
Very well, for Manager Bradley mobilizing in his bench with Benoit Cheyrou, Tosaint Ricketts and an experienced Will Johnson, his moves can become very fruitful for the second year man at the helm of the Toronto squad.
For Seattle the approach used by his Manager Schmetzer is with two men in the back in Ozzie Alonso and Cristian Roldan this playing like there is no tomorrow, using these two to reinforce the backfield as well the frontal attack.
With a trio of gold in Eriq Friberg in the center and on the sides Rookie sensation Jordan Morris and the best ever DP in Nicolas Lodeiro, the Seattle attack in its midfield now looks solid and full of initiative that at times their foes do not have the opportunity to handle the ball.
Seattle just rely on a lone attacker in a resurgent and surprising Nelson Valdez to cause havoc on the opposing squads nets, very well if the Paraguayan does not hold his weight, these rely on Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro.
These two can really define and look for the opportune moment to cause serious damages to any of their foes posts. Very well showing a strong and consistent with Alvaro Fernandez, Herculez Gomez, brad Evans and Andreas Ivanshitz, the Sounders can make the impossible and turn the tides in their favor.
Advantage: Seattle
The Forwards:
The Seattle offense so far based on a one-man attack in its front, with a renascent Nelson Valdez this chap all of a sudden has surprised many in this postseason with his one of a kind performances, still his status and performances are day to day.
For Seattle their main man in their attack despite these two playing as wingers, Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro are a part of the Emerald City resurgence since the Uruguay native arrival at Century Link, has lifted and turn things around in favor of the Sounder’s.
For Toronto having a one of a kind duo and these playing as a sort of a dynamic duo, both internationals in Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, these two can put any opposing defense in peril and its goalies in tension.
Ask that to a Montreal, NYCFC and Philadelphia backfields that succumbed to these two fury and with the results that speak for themselves, no wonder they call tis fiery Italian the Atomic Ant, because he is unstoppable.
Advantage: Toronto
The Final Verdict
At the end both squads can generate a one of a kind spectacle that can put anyone in attendance came Saturday December 10 in the edge of its seats and provides us with an all-around top class match, worthy to call it the Grand finale.
Can we have another epic final as the one we witnessed last year between the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew, will this 2016 surpass last year stunner , there will be one way to find out!
