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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| MLS Cup final: Toronto FC v Seattle Sounders – live! | MLS Cup final: Toronto FC v Seattle Sounders – live! |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.06am GMT | |
| 02:06 | |
| It started well, but it got worse, unfortunately. Lots of space, and both sides are playing with spit and vigour, but there wasn’t much for either keeper to do, to be honest. Altidore went closest early on, but other than that, it’s been relatively chance-free. Let’s hope for an improvement in the second half. | |
| Back soon! | |
| 2.04am GMT | |
| 02:04 | |
| Half-time: Toronto FC 0-0 Seattle Sounders | |
| Time for a break. That’s the whistle. | |
| 2.03am GMT | |
| 02:03 | |
| 45 min +2 Bradley floats in the free kick, and Moor gets free, but his header is easy for Frei. | |
| 2.02am GMT | |
| 02:02 | |
| 45 min +1 Altidore is tripped, and Chad Marshall is deservedly booked. That was late. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.02am GMT | |
| 2.01am GMT | |
| 02:01 | |
| 45 min Three minutes of added time. | |
| 2.00am GMT | |
| 02:00 | |
| 43 min A rather messy past five minutes or so. Both sides guilty of conceding possession too cheaply. | |
| 1.57am GMT | |
| 01:57 | |
| 41 min I must say, both defences are helping the end-to-end nature of this game by standing about 20 yards too deep when the ball’s in midfield. Strange. | |
| 1.54am GMT | |
| 01:54 | |
| 39 min Into the wall again! Disappointing. | |
| 1.54am GMT | |
| 01:54 | |
| 38 min Ooh, this looks promising: Giovinco wins a foul about 23 yards out, left side. Possibilities! Incidentally, Seattle’s defence were standing on the edge of their 18-yard box when TFC won that ball in midfield. Why didn’t they push up? | |
| 1.52am GMT | |
| 01:52 | |
| 37 min It was a madcap first 10 minutes, but it’s settled down rather. Intriguing, let’s say, but despite plenty of attacking intent, not too many clear chances. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.03am GMT | |
| 1.50am GMT | |
| 01:50 | |
| 34 min Nice reverse pass from Valdez, but Friberg, running in behind, just can’t quite get on the end of it. Then Tyrone Mears twice crosses poorly when well placed. Groan. | |
| 1.47am GMT | |
| 01:47 | |
| 32 min Into the wall from Giovinco. What a shame. | |
| 1.47am GMT | |
| 01:47 | |
| 31 min Giovinco draws a foul from Friberg in a shooting position. Chance here. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.47am GMT | |
| 1.46am GMT | |
| 01:46 | |
| 30 min Morrow does well down the left and hangs one up for Altidore to attack, but there wasn’t much pace on the cross, and his header doesn’t test Frei. Good play from Morrow, though. | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.47am GMT | |
| 1.44am GMT | |
| 01:44 | |
| 28 min Torres is back, with a grimace. There’s a lot of space here: neither side too interested in condensing the play. | |
| 1.42am GMT | |
| 01:42 | |
| 26 min Torres takes one flush in the face from a Giovinco rocket, and he’s down clutching his face. We’ll take a moment’s pause. | |
| Here’s Graham Parker at BMO Field: “Not enough Altidore for Toronto. He’s shown willing but hasn’t been the possessed presence he was against Montreal, yet. | |
| “Seattle will be happy enough to ride early storm, see game break up a little and look to get Morris going quickly in transitions. Valdez has been trying to flick the ball down that side of the field first time, whenever it comes near him. Sounders like the match up of Morris running at Zavaleta, and with no Johnson in beside Bradley, there’s a little more space to work with if they can quickly break Toronto’s main midfield line.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.43am GMT | |
| 1.40am GMT | |
| 01:40 | |
| 24 min Thrilling run from Jordan Morris down the left, surging upfield with the ball, but he meets too many red shirts. I often think Morris looks rather chunky for a footballer, but he isn’t half quick. | |
| 1.39am GMT | |
| 01:39 | |
| 22 min Valdez went up with Hagglund and landed awkwardly. He’s gone over the touchline, so Seattle playing with 10 just now. | |
| 1.37am GMT | |
| 01:37 | |
| 21 min Valdez, who’s already emerging as the game’s pantomime villain, goes down clutching his shoulder. The TFC fans don’t like it, but he looks in some discomfort. The trainer is on. | |
| 1.35am GMT | |
| 01:35 | |
| 18 min Giovinco has been prominent already – he’s shown several lovely touches. Alonso and Cooper have a minor disagreement in centre field, but no cards shown. | |
| Anyone got any thoughts? About anything? | |
| 1.32am GMT | 1.32am GMT |
| 01:32 | 01:32 |
| 17 min There’s been a pleasing ebb and flow to this match. Neither side is looking to sit back and defend: I fancy goals here tonight. | 17 min There’s been a pleasing ebb and flow to this match. Neither side is looking to sit back and defend: I fancy goals here tonight. |
| 1.30am GMT | 1.30am GMT |
| 01:30 | 01:30 |
| 15 min Osorio forces a save from Frei! Lovely build-up from TFC, and Osorio, socks halfway down his shins – I approve – tried to beat the keeper from 10 yards, but he couldn’t get the power. Decent chance. | 15 min Osorio forces a save from Frei! Lovely build-up from TFC, and Osorio, socks halfway down his shins – I approve – tried to beat the keeper from 10 yards, but he couldn’t get the power. Decent chance. |
| 1.28am GMT | 1.28am GMT |
| 01:28 | 01:28 |
| 13 min It’s just settled down a little after a frantic start. Altidore with the best chance so far. | 13 min It’s just settled down a little after a frantic start. Altidore with the best chance so far. |
| Here’s Richard Johnson: “I never thought I’d ever see an MBM involving TFC. Hopefully the game lives up to the occasion.” | Here’s Richard Johnson: “I never thought I’d ever see an MBM involving TFC. Hopefully the game lives up to the occasion.” |
| Let’s hope so too! | Let’s hope so too! |
| 1.26am GMT | 1.26am GMT |
| 01:26 | 01:26 |
| 10 min First look for Lodeiro, and he wins a corner. TFC can’t clear; after bossing the first eight minutes they’re now on the back foot. Finally they smash it downfield, and we can all take a breather. | 10 min First look for Lodeiro, and he wins a corner. TFC can’t clear; after bossing the first eight minutes they’re now on the back foot. Finally they smash it downfield, and we can all take a breather. |
| 1.25am GMT | 1.25am GMT |
| 01:25 | 01:25 |
| 9 min TFC repel the first ball, but Seattle play it back, and win a corner. It’s end-to-end stuff! This time TFC hack it clear. | 9 min TFC repel the first ball, but Seattle play it back, and win a corner. It’s end-to-end stuff! This time TFC hack it clear. |
| 1.24am GMT | 1.24am GMT |
| 01:24 | 01:24 |
| 8 min By gum, there’ve been some hard tackles in already. OK, maybe it’s not quite Chile v Italy in 1962, but it’s been physical. Cooper this time is called for a trip, and it’s a chance for Seattle. | 8 min By gum, there’ve been some hard tackles in already. OK, maybe it’s not quite Chile v Italy in 1962, but it’s been physical. Cooper this time is called for a trip, and it’s a chance for Seattle. |
| 1.23am GMT | 1.23am GMT |
| 01:23 | 01:23 |
| 7 min Moor gets his revenge by standing on the back of Valdez’s ankle as Seattle looked to break. That should have been yellow, but it wasn’t. | 7 min Moor gets his revenge by standing on the back of Valdez’s ankle as Seattle looked to break. That should have been yellow, but it wasn’t. |
| 1.22am GMT | 1.22am GMT |
| 01:22 | 01:22 |
| 6 min It’s all TFC at the moment, and Giovinco nearly links up with Altidore, but Torres does well to come across and block. Now Drew Moor is down after taking a whack in the genitals from Nelson Valdez. No card, though. | 6 min It’s all TFC at the moment, and Giovinco nearly links up with Altidore, but Torres does well to come across and block. Now Drew Moor is down after taking a whack in the genitals from Nelson Valdez. No card, though. |
| 1.20am GMT | 1.20am GMT |
| 01:20 | 01:20 |
| 4 min Drew Moor almost gets on the end of it, but it’s behind for a corner. Bradley’s ball in is good, but Frei punches clear. Early pressure from the home wide. | 4 min Drew Moor almost gets on the end of it, but it’s behind for a corner. Bradley’s ball in is good, but Frei punches clear. Early pressure from the home wide. |
| 1.19am GMT | 1.19am GMT |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| 3 min Nothing comes of it, but it’s a positive start from TFC. Now Giovinco wins another foul, by the right touchline, level with the penalty box. | 3 min Nothing comes of it, but it’s a positive start from TFC. Now Giovinco wins another foul, by the right touchline, level with the penalty box. |
| 1.18am GMT | 1.18am GMT |
| 01:18 | 01:18 |
| 2 min First touch for Giovinco, and Roman Torres, the Panamanian, gives him a hefty whack from behind. And Altidore shoots just wide! It was lofted into the box, and Giovinco and Altidore linked up nicely, but the big man’s shot was just wide. It was deflected, though, and it’ll be a corner. | 2 min First touch for Giovinco, and Roman Torres, the Panamanian, gives him a hefty whack from behind. And Altidore shoots just wide! It was lofted into the box, and Giovinco and Altidore linked up nicely, but the big man’s shot was just wide. It was deflected, though, and it’ll be a corner. |
| 1.16am GMT | 1.16am GMT |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| And we're off in the MLS Cup 2016! | And we're off in the MLS Cup 2016! |
| 1 min Alan Kelly peeps his whistle, and Seattle get the ball rolling. The home side all in red; the Sounders in green and blue. This game, of course, is being played in Toronto because TFC finished as the higher seed in the regular season. | 1 min Alan Kelly peeps his whistle, and Seattle get the ball rolling. The home side all in red; the Sounders in green and blue. This game, of course, is being played in Toronto because TFC finished as the higher seed in the regular season. |
| 1.11am GMT | 1.11am GMT |
| 01:11 | 01:11 |
| And now we’re doing the anthems. All this waiting around: the players must be freezing! | And now we’re doing the anthems. All this waiting around: the players must be freezing! |
| 1.08am GMT | 1.08am GMT |
| 01:08 | 01:08 |
| Teams are out on the pitch, shaking hands with Don Garber, the MLS commissioner. About 36,000 fans in the stadium. | Teams are out on the pitch, shaking hands with Don Garber, the MLS commissioner. About 36,000 fans in the stadium. |
| 1.01am GMT | 1.01am GMT |
| 01:01 | 01:01 |
| Some news on Deuce: | Some news on Deuce: |
| Bruce Arena told me he talked to Clint Dempsey and wants to bring him into January camp, hopefully get him fit for WCQs. #USMNT | Bruce Arena told me he talked to Clint Dempsey and wants to bring him into January camp, hopefully get him fit for WCQs. #USMNT |
| 12.58am GMT | 12.58am GMT |
| 00:58 | 00:58 |
| A slight amendment to the schedule: kick off looks more likely to be at about 8.15, in classic MLS fashion. Almost as though the 8pm listed time is merely a suggestion. | A slight amendment to the schedule: kick off looks more likely to be at about 8.15, in classic MLS fashion. Almost as though the 8pm listed time is merely a suggestion. |
| 12.53am GMT | 12.53am GMT |
| 00:53 | 00:53 |
| Graham Parker | Graham Parker |
| “Toronto’s field has good undersoil heating and looks to be holding up well across the whole surface – certainly compared to the side of the Kansas City field that was visibly frozen back in 2013 and that had onlookers wincing every time a tackle went in on it. The main effect of cold might not be surface but on fact that every time Lodeiro wants to dink a delicate little defense-splitting ball perfectly weighted for Jordan Morris to run on to, he’s going to feel like he’s kicking a rock. Don’t expect a bunch of long passes from either side today. | “Toronto’s field has good undersoil heating and looks to be holding up well across the whole surface – certainly compared to the side of the Kansas City field that was visibly frozen back in 2013 and that had onlookers wincing every time a tackle went in on it. The main effect of cold might not be surface but on fact that every time Lodeiro wants to dink a delicate little defense-splitting ball perfectly weighted for Jordan Morris to run on to, he’s going to feel like he’s kicking a rock. Don’t expect a bunch of long passes from either side today. |
| “An honorable exception for the beloved defensive tactic of hoofing it clear.” | “An honorable exception for the beloved defensive tactic of hoofing it clear.” |
| 12.41am GMT | 12.41am GMT |
| 00:41 | 00:41 |
| We’re about 20 minutes away from kick-off, and without wishing to labour the point, it’s cold. Mid-20s. But the pitch is good for play, even if it does look a little heavy. | We’re about 20 minutes away from kick-off, and without wishing to labour the point, it’s cold. Mid-20s. But the pitch is good for play, even if it does look a little heavy. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.49am GMT | at 12.49am GMT |
| 12.26am GMT | 12.26am GMT |
| 00:26 | 00:26 |
| The road to the final | The road to the final |
| Both sides did it the hard way. Seattle sneaked into fourth-place in the Western Conference after a late-season surge, but have shown their mettle in the postseason, beating Sporting KC before seeing off No 1 Dallas and No2 Colorado over two legs. | Both sides did it the hard way. Seattle sneaked into fourth-place in the Western Conference after a late-season surge, but have shown their mettle in the postseason, beating Sporting KC before seeing off No 1 Dallas and No2 Colorado over two legs. |
| TFC finished third in the East, beat Philly in the play-in game, humped NYC FC in a remarkable 7-0 aggregate win, and then ousted Montreal in an extremely entertaining Eastern Conference final. They might not have topped their respective divisions, but TFC and Seattle deserve to be here. | TFC finished third in the East, beat Philly in the play-in game, humped NYC FC in a remarkable 7-0 aggregate win, and then ousted Montreal in an extremely entertaining Eastern Conference final. They might not have topped their respective divisions, but TFC and Seattle deserve to be here. |
| 12.23am GMT | 12.23am GMT |
| 00:23 | 00:23 |
| Graham Parker is at a very chilly BMO Field: | Graham Parker is at a very chilly BMO Field: |
| “So far so good on snow … it’s cold, though. Not as cold as Kansas City in 2013 yet, but temperatures dropping. Am pathetically grateful that my Guardian affiliation qualifies me for an obstructed view seat inside the press box, rather than in the outdoor press tribune.” | “So far so good on snow … it’s cold, though. Not as cold as Kansas City in 2013 yet, but temperatures dropping. Am pathetically grateful that my Guardian affiliation qualifies me for an obstructed view seat inside the press box, rather than in the outdoor press tribune.” |
| 12.21am GMT | 12.21am GMT |
| 00:21 | 00:21 |
| So TFC look like three at the back, with Giovinco and Altidore the furthest forward. Four in defence for the Sounders, and Nelson Haedo Valdez will be the lone striker, ably supported by Morris, Lodeiro and Friberg. | So TFC look like three at the back, with Giovinco and Altidore the furthest forward. Four in defence for the Sounders, and Nelson Haedo Valdez will be the lone striker, ably supported by Morris, Lodeiro and Friberg. |
| 12.17am GMT | 12.17am GMT |
| 00:17 | 00:17 |
| Tonight's teams | Tonight's teams |
| Toronto FC: Irwin, Moor, Hagglund, Morrow, Beitashour, Zavaleta, Cooper, Bradley, Osorio, Altidore, Giovinco. Subs: Bono, Williams, Bloom, Cheyrou, Johnson, Ricketts, Endoh. | Toronto FC: Irwin, Moor, Hagglund, Morrow, Beitashour, Zavaleta, Cooper, Bradley, Osorio, Altidore, Giovinco. Subs: Bono, Williams, Bloom, Cheyrou, Johnson, Ricketts, Endoh. |
| Seattle: Frei, J Jones, Marshall, Torres, Mears; Roldan, Alonso; Morris, Friberg, Lodeiro; Valdez. Subs: Miller, Scott, Fisher, Ivanschitz, Fernandez, Gomez, Evans. | Seattle: Frei, J Jones, Marshall, Torres, Mears; Roldan, Alonso; Morris, Friberg, Lodeiro; Valdez. Subs: Miller, Scott, Fisher, Ivanschitz, Fernandez, Gomez, Evans. |
| Referee: Alan Kelly | Referee: Alan Kelly |
| 12.14am GMT | 12.14am GMT |
| 00:14 | 00:14 |
| Hello and welcome | Hello and welcome |
| Tonight a new name will be etched on the MLS championship trophy. Toronto play Seattle at BMO Field, and since neither side has ever won US soccer’s biggest prize. A chance to make history for two upwardly mobile clubs who were off the pace in the regular season, but who have peaked at just the right time. | Tonight a new name will be etched on the MLS championship trophy. Toronto play Seattle at BMO Field, and since neither side has ever won US soccer’s biggest prize. A chance to make history for two upwardly mobile clubs who were off the pace in the regular season, but who have peaked at just the right time. |
| Toronto have their Big Three ready to rock in the biggest game in TFC history: much of their play is expected to go through Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, and the well remunerated trio have the calibre to test the Sounders’ defence. Seattle have the wily Nicolas Lodeiro and the youthful Jordan Morris, and Ozzie Alonso remains a forceful presence, but Clint Dempsey, still sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, is a big miss. That said, Brian Schmetzer’s done a terrific job after taking over from Sigi Schmid midway through the season. An MLS Cup final appearance only five months into the post isn’t bad going for a who’s done some outstanding work in the Pacific Northwest for many years. Schmetzer deserves his moment. | Toronto have their Big Three ready to rock in the biggest game in TFC history: much of their play is expected to go through Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, and the well remunerated trio have the calibre to test the Sounders’ defence. Seattle have the wily Nicolas Lodeiro and the youthful Jordan Morris, and Ozzie Alonso remains a forceful presence, but Clint Dempsey, still sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, is a big miss. That said, Brian Schmetzer’s done a terrific job after taking over from Sigi Schmid midway through the season. An MLS Cup final appearance only five months into the post isn’t bad going for a who’s done some outstanding work in the Pacific Northwest for many years. Schmetzer deserves his moment. |
| Kick off is 8pm, and the weather is cold. Seriously cold – about -4C right now. Let’s play ball. | Kick off is 8pm, and the weather is cold. Seriously cold – about -4C right now. Let’s play ball. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.19am GMT | at 12.19am GMT |
| 8.50pm GMT | 8.50pm GMT |
| 20:50 | 20:50 |
| Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Graham Parker’s match preview: | Tim will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Graham Parker’s match preview: |
| The key to this game well be which team gets its wide players up in support while retaining defensive shape. Steven Beitashour and Justin Morrow are part of that experienced supporting cast brought in to provide a platform for the team’s stars, but with Toronto moving to three at the back in recent weeks, they’ve also been charged with getting forward and overwhelming opponents with supply from out wide. | The key to this game well be which team gets its wide players up in support while retaining defensive shape. Steven Beitashour and Justin Morrow are part of that experienced supporting cast brought in to provide a platform for the team’s stars, but with Toronto moving to three at the back in recent weeks, they’ve also been charged with getting forward and overwhelming opponents with supply from out wide. |
| Seattle have their own version of that, with Joevin Jones stretching opposition defenses at times when he gets forward, and proving particularly effective in seeing off Dallas in the first leg of the Conference semi-final. If he can keep his Toronto counterpart honest, and allow Seattle to take their chances in controlling the battle for central midfield, the Sounders will hope that Lodeiro, who can pop up anywhere across the field, can find the angle and the pass to slip Morris behind the defense to where he can be deadly. Morris’s decision-making with his running has sharpened exponentially in the last few months, after an exciting but raw start to the season, but his cool in finishing is that of a born striker. | Seattle have their own version of that, with Joevin Jones stretching opposition defenses at times when he gets forward, and proving particularly effective in seeing off Dallas in the first leg of the Conference semi-final. If he can keep his Toronto counterpart honest, and allow Seattle to take their chances in controlling the battle for central midfield, the Sounders will hope that Lodeiro, who can pop up anywhere across the field, can find the angle and the pass to slip Morris behind the defense to where he can be deadly. Morris’s decision-making with his running has sharpened exponentially in the last few months, after an exciting but raw start to the season, but his cool in finishing is that of a born striker. |
| Still, you have to think that home crowd advantage, and just the variety of their attack, should favor Toronto on Saturday, which will be a novel position for them to be in. They may have only recently dared to dream of an actual MLS Cup, but they’ve waited a long, long time to be favorites for anything. And they look like they won’t be fazed by that. But they’ll need to be wary of a Seattle team thriving as underdogs. And whatever happens, one of these teams is about to permanently rewrite the myth about themselves. | Still, you have to think that home crowd advantage, and just the variety of their attack, should favor Toronto on Saturday, which will be a novel position for them to be in. They may have only recently dared to dream of an actual MLS Cup, but they’ve waited a long, long time to be favorites for anything. And they look like they won’t be fazed by that. But they’ll need to be wary of a Seattle team thriving as underdogs. And whatever happens, one of these teams is about to permanently rewrite the myth about themselves. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.26pm GMT | at 11.26pm GMT |