Sounders beat Toronto FC to win their second MLS Cup title

The Seattle Sounders played four games in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs and amassed the four needed to lift the MLS Cup after defeating Toronto FC 3-1 in front of 69,274 fans. The attendance was the most massive crowd for a sporting event in the history of Century Link Field.

Russell Wilson’s midweek prediction came to fruition, and Seattle won their second MLS Cup trophy in the history of their franchise. The Sounders have now beaten Toronto FC twice in the MLS Cup Final.

Things didn’t look promising at the start of the game for the team from the Pacific Northwest, as the Canadians applied plenty of pressure, which didn’t allow the Sounders to get into a rhythm.

The first half would end up being a rather dull and boring one, as both teams created a single opportunity to score. The most apparent chance of the first half came when Nicolas Benezet found himself inside the box, but Stefan Frei blocked his shot, and ultimately, both sides went to the locker rooms scoreless.

Toronto appeared to be the most dominant side in the first half and continued to do so for the first portion of the second half. After nearly scoring on a shot attempt that was saved by Frei, Toronto’s fortune changed for good.

In the 57th minute, Seattle’s Kelvin Leerdam’s shot from inside the box deflected off Justin Morrow’s foot and eventually into the back of the net. The goal came like a bucket of ice-cold water poured on their backs for Toronto FC, as the team from Ontario appeared to be rattled and found it challenging to regain control of the ball.

Only four minutes later, Brian Schmetzer made probably the most crucial modification of the game as he paved the way for Victor Rodriguez to join the game. Rodriguez answered the call by scoring on a beautifully placed shot from outside the box that gave the home team a 2-0 and even more tranquility.

The still shaken-up Toronto squad appeared as lost as they had in the entire game after Rodriguez’s goal, but the damage wasn’t over. Victor’s presence completely disrupted Toronto’s strategy, and with the clock now running against them, it was only a matter of time before the Sounders struck again.

The still shaken-up Toronto squad appeared as lost as they had in the entire game after Rodriguez’s goal, but the damage wasn’t over. Victor’s presence completely disrupted Toronto’s strategy, and with the clock now running against them, it was only a matter of time before the Sounders struck again.

Jozy Altidore would tally a goal that would come a little too late for the Canadians. The final whistle blew, and Century Link Field erupted in what would be the conclusion of another magical season for Brian Schmetzer and the Seattle Sounders.

The victory now puts Seattle in a four-way tie for second-most MLS Cup titles. The Los Angeles Galaxy remain first with five and D.C. United second with four.