MLS Cup 2017

[Titans Bastard]

Lineups are out.

Seattle with the edge on quality of lineup graphic.

Greg Vanney has shifted from TFC's normal 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 diamond with Delgado and Osorio functioning as shuttlers.

Seattle is trotting out a fairly standard lineup for them. Morris returned from injury a few weeks ago and will probably come off the bench at some point.

It's going to be really cold (~30 F), though not quite as bad as MLS Cup 2013 in KC, when it was 20 F.

 

[SoxFanInPdx]

Never rooted so hard for a Canadian team in my life.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

What's everyone's thoughts? I think Toronto 2-1.

 

[Titans Bastard]

There has already been more excitement in the first three minutes than in the entire game last year.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

The game is definitely way more open than last year.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Can't believe Moore didn't score on that early header.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Nice save from Frei.

Toronto are looking more dangerous right now.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

I'm starting to think we'd be on our way to Russia in the summer if Arena would have played Frei.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Man, Toronto is dominating.

 

[SocrManiac]

I'm starting to think we'd be on our way to Russia in the summer if Arena would have played Frei.

Or Giovinco.

Har.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Roldan is lucky to not get a yellow for that.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

A shot for Seattle!

 

[steeplechase3k]

A shot for Seattle!

Only took 150 minutes of Cup Final play....

 

[SoxFanInCali]

7 saves for Frei already, in 40 minutes.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Well, scoreless at half. Seattle is extremely lucky so far.

 

[SocrManiac]

Vasquez might love being known as “The guy who knows Messi.”

 

[Titans Bastard]

We'll see if Toronto regrets failing to convert their total domination of the first half into a goal (or three).

Schmetzer will have to change something here.

 

[Titans Bastard]

I'm still waiting for a member of the media to ask Garber why he keeps citing the Crew's bad local TV ratings given that Precourt signed a deal with a channel that half of Columbus doesn't get.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Seattle's going to win this on a crap, late goal, aren't they?

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Hopefully.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Wow, that was Frei's best save of the night.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Torres kept Jozy onside. Frei finally gets beat.

 

[Titans Bastard]

There it is. Jozy!

The Sounders were slow on transition defense there.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Schmetzer waited too long to make a sub. Oh, and fuck you Altidore. Where was that for the USMNT?

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Sure looked like Jozy was off. Why no review?

 

[Titans Bastard]

Jozy comes off for Nick Hagglund, so Toronto is going with a 5-4-1 now. Hagglund is a beast in the air and should help clean up crosses.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Welp, Toronto deserves this win. Very, very frustrating performance from Seattle.

 

[Titans Bastard]

That's it.

Vazquez cleans up and good for him - he really should have been on the MVP shortlist at the least.

 

[ThePrideofShiner]

Can't believe Schmetzer did so few - and late - subs in a game Seattle was dominated in. Bizarre.

Congrats to Toronto.

 

[Titans Bastard]

This Toronto FC team is the greatest team in MLS history and, I believe, the first MLS team ever to win a treble.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

This Toronto FC team is the greatest team in MLS history and, I believe, the first MLS team ever to win a treble.

Definitely a great season but I put a small asterisk on the "treble". Winning a 4 team tournament isn't quite the accomplishment that a US team winning the Open Cup and the other two trophies would be.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Definitely a great season but I put a small asterisk on the "treble". Winning a 4 team tournament isn't quite the accomplishment that a US team winning the Open Cup and the other two trophies would be.

Yeah, silly. It's like teams claiming the Community Shield as a trophy in England.

 

[Infield Infidel]

Yeah, silly. It's like teams claiming the Community Shield as a trophy in England.

It's not THAT bad. Voyagers is a puny tourney, but it's not Toronto's fault they can't play for th US Open Cup.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Welsh teams have played for the FA cup before.

But hey, you're right. 5 teams makes it a bit tougher than 2.

Edit: apparently Scottish, Welsh, No. Irish teams and even Guernsey have played in the FA Cup.
I get it's a work in progress for Canadian Footy, but a treble? Ugh.

 

[Infield Infidel]

What would be interestingly bad: a pre-season tourney with the winners (or runners up) of MLS Cup, Supporters Shield, US Open Cup, and Voyagers Cup

 

[Titans Bastard]

I think Canadian clubs treat the Voyageurs Cup more seriously than American MLS clubs treat the USOC. I don't know if that balances out the small size of the field, but take it FWIW.

No doubt that for Toronto a MLS Cup/SS/CCL treble would be far more significant.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I think Canadian clubs treat the Voyageurs Cup more seriously than American MLS clubs treat the USOC. I don't know if that balances out the small size of the field, but take it FWIW.

No doubt that for Toronto a MLS Cup/SS/CCL treble would be far more significant.

It does not balance it out, but it's a great point.

 

[InstaFace]

I'm starting to think we'd be on our way to Russia in the summer if Arena would have played Frei.

Forgive the dumb question but isn't Frei Swiss?

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Forgive the dumb question but isn't Frei Swiss?

He became a US citizen earlier this year, and was invited to one of the USMNT camps. I don't think he ever played above U15 for Switzerland.

 

[Titans Bastard]

Frei was invited to USMNT camp in January but couldn't play because he wasn't a citizen yet. He received citizenship in June.

Frei is only about a year and a half younger than Brad Guzan. If he's in form it's conceivable that he'll play for the USMNT for a bit, but he's unlikely to be a long-term solution.