Second half flurry enough for Seattle to claim 2019 MLS Cup
Great second half from the men in green as Toronto wilted.
That's it .... Seattle Sounders are 2019 MLS Champions
5 minutes of added time about to run out ....
Goooooool. Toronto bag a late consolation goal as Jozy heads home
Ruidiaz off - Arriega on for Seattle
It's 3 for Seattle
Morrow goes close for TFC. The home fans raise the noise level as they sense MLS Cup glory is a matter of minutes away.
Morris off-Delem on for Seattle
Less than 10' remaining and difficult to see Toronto coming back now. The opening goal really hit the Canadian side for six.
Osorio off for TFC, Laryea on
Great strike from the sub with a rasping right foot shot that left Westberg unable to get a hand on the ball
Goooool . Sounders make it 2-0 with a goal from Spaniard Rodriguez
The goal really has rattled Toronto
Pozuelo carded for a foul on Lodeiro
Seattle push again as Ruidiaz strikes from long range
Jozy on - Benezet off (TFC change)
Jozy Altidore coming back from injury poised for some game time
Endoh off - DeLeon on (change for Toronto FC)
30' left ... Can TFC gran an equaliser?
Rodriguez on for Smith (Seattle)
Against the run of play .... The ball takes a wicked deflection as Leerdam shoots and the ball hits Morrow on the leg to put the home side ahead.
Change coming up for Seattle ... Rodriguez poised to make an entrance
Toronto bench warming up with Jozy limbering up.
Pozuelo and Osorio comnine well as Frei gathers. TFC still knocking!
Toronto still applying all the pressure and taking the game to the home side.
That pre-match prediction of 3-1 looks a little ambitious from what we've seen in the first half. One goal could be enough here tonight.
we're underway...
TFC to start the second half.
The whistle sounds to bring an end to the half. A swift break and we'll be back with the second half.
Seattle break as Ruidiaz strikes and forces Westberg to save well. One minuyte of time to be added.
Into the last minute. Entertaining without being scintillating. More goal scoring chances wouldn't go a miss.
5 minutes of the half as Toronto are still on top. Just the Benezet shot to show for all the pressure though.
TFC forcing Seattle back now with the home side forced to launch counter attacks.
Great shot from Benezet as Frei is forced into action and saves well as Toronto probe.
Seattle now with 6 corners!
Seattle rack up the corner count but the men in red able to deal with the forays from the home side
Approaching the half hour mark and despite the game being open and flowing, we've yet to see anything resembling a clear cut chance. TFC started stronger, Seattle pushed back and Toronto seem to be in the ascendancy again.
Seattle 1-2 TFC (shots on target)
Seattle now starting to dominate proceedings with Lodeiro and Ruidíaz causing problems of the TFC rear guard.
Nicolás Lodeiro strikes and the ball is deflected for a corner. Seattle easing into the game now as Torres heads over.
As we mention his name the Peruvian heads over for the home side.
Raúl Ruidíaz looking sharp tonight for Seattle!
Possession stats after 15'- TFC on top possession wise
- 0
- 15
- 30
- 45
- 60
- 75
- 90
- 60%39%
- 15%84%
Toronto have certainly eased their way into the match not intimidated by the raucous Seattle atmpshpeger.
Pozuelo strikes this time for TFC but drives the strike straight at the Swiss keeper in the Seattle goal.
Jordan Morris, very much the local hero for the Seattle supporters.
Seattle strike as Jordan Morris fires a left footed effort which is well gathered by Westberg in the TFC goal.
Toronto enjoying the better of the possession in this opening stage of the action
Wonderful levels of noise being created from the home support. MLS fan culture is very vibrant and underrated !
First shot from TFC as the ball is aimed straight at Frei from an Endoh effort.
69.000 fams in the stadium today. Second highest attendance at an MLS Cup final.
We're about to start (finally)... The home side to kick-off....
Don't forget this Centurylink Field is astro-turf and not real grass. It's also home to Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise.
Still no sign of kick-off as we go though the traditional pre-game pre-amble....A wonderful tifo from the local fans adorns the stand as the pre-game marketing pieces are moved from the pitch.
Great turnout from the local fans.
Smoke wafts across the pitch at the CenturyLink Field as the teams emerge ... a sea of light green with a pocket of red and white
12:08 (Seattle time) 21:08 CET start
Kick-off is imminent.... What do you feel folks? I'm going for a 3-1 Seattle win (sorry TFC fans).
Here's Toronto's path to the final...Their win over Atlanta the pick
This is how Seattle steered their way to MLS 2019 final. Their win in LA over hotly fancied LAFC the pick of the bunch.
Our match official tonight in Seattle is Allen Chapman.
Two of Seattle's danger men... Jordan Morris #13 (L) and Nicolas Lodeiro warm up ahead of the game
A small but valiant group of TFC fans have made the trek to Washington state to support their side. Big thumbs up to the group !
Both sides have 1 MLS Cup win a piece so whoever wins tonight will join the likes of San Jose, Houston & Kansas on 2 wins.
Seattle will be anxious to avenge their 2017 MLS Cup final defeat away in Toronto as both sides meet for the third time in the final in four years. Will home advantage be enough for the men in green ?
Seattle Sounders fans on the march for the last time this season making their way to CenturyLink Field.
A dry but fresh day expected in Seattle. A current temp. of 12C in the capital of Washingtoin state
The stage is set... The CenturyLink field today before the gates had opened
Kick-off at the Centuty Link Field is at 21:00 CET.
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2019 MLS Cup final from Seattle as local side Sounders face Toronto FC.