Stop me if you’ve heard this before. The Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC will square off for the MLS Cup. For the third time in four years, these two clubs will meet in the MLS Cup Final this weekend, and this is the rubber match between the Sounders and the Reds. Seattle won its first MLS Cup by beating Toronto in penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes in 2016, and Toronto returned the favor by beating Seattle 2-0 for its first championship in 2017. The victor will be the sixth team in MLS history with multiple titles, while the loser will be left waiting until next year.
Don't miss the MLS Cup Finals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 10, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ABC.
MLS Cup Finals Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Seattle Sounders -108
Toronto FC +277
Draw +266
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Odds Analysis
The Seattle Sounders have made it to the playoffs in each of their 11 seasons in the MLS. This club has never finished worse than fourth in the Western Conference during the regular season, but the Sounders struggled in the middle of the season. Seattle righted the ship though, and this club rallied to finish as the second-best team in the Western Conference during the regular season.
That gave Seattle the opportunity to play at home for the first two rounds of the postseason. The Sounders used that home field advantage to their benefit after blowing a 2-0 lead against FC Dallas in the first round, as Jordan Morris netted a hat trick to beat the visitors 4-3 in extra time. Gustav Svensson and Nicolas Lodeiro each scored a goal to lead Seattle past Real Salt Lake, setting up a clash with Supporters’ Shield winners Los Angeles FC in the Western Conference Finals. Seattle went down 1-0 early, but Lodeiro netted a goal and Raul Ruidiaz secured a brace to pull off the surprising upset.
Toronto were an even more improbable participant in the finals. The Reds were the No. 4 team in the Eastern Conference, and they needed extra time to beat D.C. United in the first round. They were forced to go on the road against New York City FC in the conference semifinals, and Toronto was incredibly fortunate to beat NYCFC 2-1 thanks to some terrible defensive blunders from the Eastern Conference regular season winners.
The upset set up a date with Atlanta United south of the border in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Five Stripes looked ready to blow the doors off Toronto FC early. Julian Gressel scored one of the easiest goals a striker can ask for in the fourth minute, but Josef Martinez’ penalty kick in the 11th minute was stopped by Quentin Westberg, giving Toronto new life. Nicolas Benezet and Nick DeLeon each scored incredibly improbable goals to put Toronto on top 2-1, and the Reds held on for the win against the run of play.
Key Absences
Will Bruin netted two goals against Toronto FC earlier this season, but he will be unavailable after tearing his ACL in June. Defender Roman Torres is questionable with a strained hamstring.
Toronto’s Jozy Altidore also scored two goals when these teams met earlier in 2019, and he is unlikely to play with a quad injury. Altidore has declared it would take a minor miracle for him to take the pitch, and that leaves the Reds without their best player in club history.
Player to Watch
Alejandro Pozuelo will need to have a massive performance for Toronto. Pozuelo is the team’s leading goal scorer, and he is the Reds primary threat with Altidore out. He came through in a big way against NYCFC last month, and a repeat performance might be necessary for Toronto to earn the win in the Emerald City.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The Sounders are the more talented team, and they should get the win here. Seattle’s wins have been more convincing than Toronto’s victories, and Lodeiro, Ruidiaz, and Morris give the hosts an attacking trio the Reds can’t match.
Major League Soccer Odds: Seattle Sounders 2, Toronto FC 1
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