Seattle beat Toronto to claim MLS title

[November 11, 2019]  (Reuters) - Seattle Sounders claimed their second MLS Cup in four years as three second-half goals gave the hosts a 3-1 win over Toronto FC in front of a capacity crowd at CenturyLink Field on Sunday.

It was the third time in four years that the teams had met in Major League Soccer’s blue riband match, with Kelvin Leerdam, Victor Rodriguez and Raul Ruidiaz all finding the net.

Seattle won their first title when they beat Toronto in 2016 while the Canadians got their revenge in the 2017 title game.

This time, the Sounders delivered the title in front of a record home crowd.

“You get to share this moment with 70,000 people, obviously the love gets amplified a little bit,” Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei told reporters.

“To be able to give them this moment means everything to me.”

In the latest chapter of the rivalry between the teams, Seattle took the lead after 57 minutes when Leerdam’s angled shot hit Toronto defender Justin Morrow and flew into the net.

Substitute Rodriguez doubled Seattle’s lead after 76 minutes when he lashed home a low drive from 18 metres before Ruidiaz wrapped up the victory for the Washington outfit when he finished off a quick counter attack in the 90th.

Substitute Jozy Altidore scored a consolation goal for the visitors in stoppage time but it was too late for the Canadians.

"I think we are so competitive, we (have a) really good mentality, always keep going, always working every day so hard and I think here in our home with our fans it is a little easier for us," MVP Rodriguez said in reference to the 69,274 fans who packed out the stadium.

Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) scores a goal against Toronto FC defender Chris Mavinga (23) in the second half during the MLS Cup at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

"I think we deserved that.”

Seattle had to overcome a slow start and nerves to prevail.

“I think there were some nerves there in the first half, there were some plays where guys needed to be a little bit more composed,” Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. Seattle have qualified for the MLS playoffs every year since they joined the league as an expansion club in 2009 and are now among six clubs to have won more than one MLS Cup.

Toronto have reached the MLS Cup in three of the past four years, winning in 2017.

“Look, finals are tight," Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley said. "You always know to break the game open, you’re going to need that extra bit of quality or a little bit of a break, bounce or deflection. They got that today.”

(Writing by Andrew Downie; Editing by Ken Ferris/Peter Rutherford)

[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.