MLS Cup final guide: Will Seattle or Toronto be crowned champions?

By Josue Ngandu

MLS commissioner Don Garber thinks the MLS Cup final between Toronto and Seattle Sounders - a repeat of last season's final - could be a thriller

Seattle Sounders and Toronto meet in the MLS Cup final on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football from 9.15pm, in a repeat of last year's season-ending showpiece.

Seattle triumphed on penalties last season, but with the 2017 edition taking place in Toronto, the Canadian side will be hopeful of turning the tables.

Here, we take a look at how both clubs made it to the final…

Seattle

Title-holders Seattle Sounders finished second in the Western Conference, level on points with winners Portland Timbers, but negotiated Vancouver Whitecaps and Houston Dynamo in the conference play-offs to set up a shot at defending the MLS Cup.

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Former Tottenham and Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey struck twice in Seattle's 2-0 aggregate win over Vancouver and is sure to be a key figure this weekend.

The defending champions then thrashed Houston 5-0 on aggregate. Victor Rodriguez, Dempsey and Will Bruin were on target in the second leg to confirm a second consecutive final against Toronto.

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Toronto

Toronto dominated the Eastern Conference in 2017, topping the table by 12 points after winning 20 of their 34 games and losing just five.

Image: Jozy Alitdore sent Toronto to the MLS Cup final

In the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Toronto were drawn against New York City FC and, after a first-leg win thanks to goals from Victor Vazquez and Sebastian Giovinco, progressed on away goals with a 2-2 aggregate.

They then saw off Columbus Crew 1-0 to reach the MLS Cup Final, as Jozy Altidore scored the winner in a narrow game to help his club try and seek revenge from last season's heartbreak.

Head-to-head record

This will be the 13th meeting between the two sides in their history. Seattle Sounders boast seven wins compared to Toronto's two.

More great news for Seattle fans is that they have beaten Toronto four times away from home, only losing one game in the process.

Image: Sebastian Giovinco has had another impressive season in MLS

Toronto won their last game against Seattle 1-0 thanks to a Jozy Altidore penalty in May, though.

Key Facts

If Seattle Sounders win the final they will become the fourth team in history to retain the MLS Cup after D.C United (1996/97), Houston Dynamo (2005/06) and LA Galaxy (2011/12).

Seattle Sounders have not conceded a goal for 647 minutes this season.

Toronto were the top scorers in the MLS regular season, scoring 74 times - 14 more than anyone else

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