ASN: Seattle’s stars rise to the large occassion and win 2nd MLS Cup in 4 years

MLS Cup 2019 wasn’t the perfect remaining the league has had, however it was a great one. It was a sport may have gone to Toronto however Seattle discovered a technique to prevail. It was a sport the place star gamers performed effectively and coaches had been examined and compelled to make changes. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta breaks it down and provides his ideas. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 10, 2019
5:15 PM

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FOR THE SECOND time in 4 years, the Seattle Sounders are the champions of MLS and this time it got here in opposition to a well-known foe in Toronto FC. Whereas this was the third time in 4 years the workforce have met within the league’s championship sport, it was the primary time Seattle hosted the occasion and the house workforce despatched almost 70,000 of its supporters house celebrating a 3-1 win.

The sport had a beautiful environment from the beginning with pregame festivities within the Seattle streets, a dramatic walk-in among the many supporters, and depth from the opening kickoff.

But it surely was Toronto that managed the primary half. It had a number of events the place it pinned Seattle again inside its personal space and compelled it into emergency defending. Seattle was fortunate to maintain Toronto off the board. Nonetheless, Seattle was capable of sometimes flex its muscle and almost scored the opener in opposition to the run of play simply earlier than halftime when Raul Ruidiaz took a glance ball up the center and compelled Toronto’s Quentin Westberg into making a fantastic save.

However Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer made changes at halftime to assist alleviate Toronto’s strain. Seattle struck first within the 57th minute when Ruidiaz discovered Kelvin Leerdam on the best aspect. Leerdam created house and his shot deflected previous Westberg to ship CenturyLink Area into an absolute frenzy.

Right here’s how Seattle go in entrance. Not a magnificence however absolute scenes at CenturyLink #MLSCup #SEAvTOR pic.twitter.com/Icr4WGMEFJ

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 10, 2019

Victor Rodriguez got here into the sport within the 61st minute and gave Seattle much more high quality up prime. With the mix of Nicholas Lodeiro, Raul Ruidiaz, and Jordan Morris, Rodriguez merely was an excessive amount of for Toronto to deal with.

Within the 76th minute, the sport was put out of attain when Lodeiro mixed with Rodriguez who made a pleasant transfer throughout the highest of the field earlier than firing an unstoppable low shot previous Westberg for a 2-0 lead.

Seattle closing it’s grip on the title. Rodriguez strikes for a 2-0 lead #MLSCup #SEAvTOR pic.twitter.com/kWkO1lRvYg

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 10, 2019

The exclamation level got here within the ninetieth minute when Gustav Svensson despatched an extended ball up the center which Ruidiaz outmaneuvered Chris Mavinga to obtain. He then made no mistake with the fashionable end for a 3-0 lead.

— Main League Soccer (@MLS) November 11, 2019

A minute later, Toronto scored a comfort purpose from Jozy Altidore, who was taking part in harm and got here into the sport to attempt to rally Toronto. Alitdore headed house a brief cross from Alejandro Pozuelo however it was far too little, too late.

Minutes later, the ultimate whistle sounded and set off epic celebrations all through Seattle.

Seattle Sounders are the champs! 1) They’d the expertise: Lodeiro, Rodriguez, Ruidiaz, Morris to attain – even in opposition to the run of play2)They’d the coach in Schmetzer who bought essentially the most out of the group3) that they had a tremendous house discipline benefit at CenturyLink #MLSCup #SEAvTOR

— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) November 10, 2019

Listed here are some ideas on the sport

Seattle had superior high quality
To begin with, hats off to Toronto. It’s outstanding that the workforce superior this far – it beat two groups with significantly extra firepower in New York Metropolis and Atlanta on the highway to e-book a ticket to MLS Cup. Head coach Gregg Vanney had this workforce punching above its weight.

Within the first half, Toronto was the higher workforce with extra possession and extra alternatives. However its lack of ability to take benefit throughout this stretch was too expensive. It was solely a matter of time earlier than Seattle’s star offensive gamers would discover simply sufficient room to make large performs – they usually did.

With out Altidore, Toronto was all the time restricted. Basically it was a workforce that was all the time going to go so far as Alejandro Pozuelo was capable of take it with creating and ending possibilities, and whether or not or not Michael Bradley was going to manage the midfield.

However Seattle merely had extra gamers who may make distinction making performs. Seattle was capable of create and rating possibilities in opposition to the run of play, and it’s costly gamers all the time had been sufficient to maintain it within the sport. Nicholas Lodeiro is probably the perfect No. 10 within the league, Raul Ruidiaz was the perfect offensive participant within the playoffs, Jordan Morris has been in excellent type for each membership and nation in current months. Victor Rodriguez, in the meantime, was simply an excessive amount of for Toronto.

Additionally, in an period the place some huge cash is spent on attacking gamers, Seattle’s protection held sturdy. It might bend and never break, regardless of being underneath strain. Retaining Toronto scoreless on the half was essential in permitting key changes to be made and it was most likely one among Seattle’s keys to victory. 

Pozuelo & Bradley performed effectively in loss
Toronto was not capable of match Seattle’s general high quality and was not almost as scientific because it wanted to be with its possibilities, however it nonetheless bought superb performances from its two finest gamers in Michael Bradley and Alejandro Pozuelo.

For Bradley, he was all around the discipline within the win and helped on either side of the ball. He helped defend their central defenders and was efficient getting the ball into a number of attacking positions. His warmth map reveals that he was the workforce’s engine and was a purpose why Toronto gained the possession edge.

Michael Bradley in #MLSCup Last:

83 touches56/66 (85%) passes7 lengthy balls4 duels won7 recoveries5 clearances2 tackles2 interceptions#TFCLive captain was immense. Did not set off the extension that will’ve include victory, however confirmed he nonetheless deserves a brand new contract. pic.twitter.com/8NL7TG7jbt

— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) November 11, 2019

For Pozuelo, he was additionally sturdy in his first MLS remaining and did his finest to match the impression Sebastian Giovinco had on the workforce. However there have been occasions, significantly within the first half, the place it took two or three defenders simply to include Pozuelo.

?????????? Alejandro Pozuelo in #MLSCup:

1 assist4 possibilities created2 shots98 touches58/64 (91%) passes4/5 lengthy balls9 crosses7/8 dribbles [MOST]11/19 duels gained [MOST]3 fouls gained

One other glorious efficiency, regardless of #TFCLive defeat. 2 objectives + 3 assists in 4 playoff video games. pic.twitter.com/YipXjCObhA

— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) November 10, 2019

Toronto bought what it may from its two wholesome designated gamers. If Altidore was at 100%, perhaps it could have been a special consequence.

This offseason, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how Toronto modify to an ever-changing league. It ought to try and convey again Bradley to a TAM deal after which signal one other high quality designated participant to associate with Pozuelo and Altidore as the opposite designated gamers. If Altidore is wholesome, that might be as sturdy of a core as there’s within the league. However even when Altidore is injured (as he too incessantly is), not less than there might be a “Plan B.”

However one other factor is obvious – Toronto is extraordinarily effectively coached by Gregg Vanney who till halftime of the ultimate appeared like his workforce was going to plow by the hardest path to a title the league has ever seen. This season was difficult with the accidents to Altidore and the transition away from Sebastian Giovinco, however Vanney dealt with it effectively and has the workforce heading in the right direction.

Ruidiaz has a postseason for the ages
The defining story for Seattle this postseason was that every one of its prime gamers had been in type. However Raul Ruidiaz had perhaps the best postseason run in league historical past with 4 objectives and three assists within the 4 playoff video games for Seattle. Seattle spent a fortune to get him and he delivered them a title at house.

In fact, there have been nice playoff performers in a league that now has a full 24 seasons underneath its belt. However Ruidiaz this 12 months was pretty much as good as any. Ultimately, he capped it with a purpose and an help within the remaining.

Schmetzer cements his legacy
A lot was product of Brian Schmetzer this week – and for good purpose too. It continues to be a fantastic story {that a} Seattle native who performed for the membership as early as 1980, who coached the membership effectively earlier than it started in MLS, was an assistant underneath Sigi Schmid and took over when Schmid was fired, is now one of many league’s finest coaches of this period. And on Sunday he sealed his second title in entrance of 70,000 followers in his house metropolis.

Schmetzer’s legacy has been uniquely tied to the membership – in lots of eras, in numerous leagues, in lots of capacities. He’s virtually the face of soccer in Seattle and he’s humble about it however does a fantastic job. He has helped this this workforce develop, with peaks and valleys in between, into the head of American soccer.

In MLS, he has coached a number of the biggest gamers in league historical past – from Clint Dempsey, to Obafemi Martins, to Nicholas Lodeiro, to Raul Ruidiaz. As both an assistant coach or head coach, he has coached two of essentially the most profitable homegrown signings the league has ever had in DeAndre Yedlin and Jordan Morris.

After watching Seattle at this time, it will likely be attention-grabbing to see what’s subsequent for this workforce.