By Stefan Dagher

Last Wednesday saw the play-off final in Canada where Toronto faced Canadian rivals Montreal Impact, and Toronto came out on top, winning 5-2 on aggregate.

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Their 5-2 win over Montreal wasn’t just perhaps one of the most entertaining playoff games in the MLS history but also ended up as the highest scoring series in the playoff’s history. Now, Toronto will go and face Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final on the December 10th.

On the other hand, the Sounders knocked off the Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference Championship on Sunday, earning their ticket to the league title final game.

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A lot has been said about the potential of both teams and those wildly divergent paths, but what about the final itself? What can we expect? And what shape might that game take?

Both teams have big payrolls, big stars, a huge fan base but most notably no MLS trophies. Therefore, on December 10th one of the team will lift the MLS trophy for the first time and will make history for the club.

TORONTO

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So much of what Toronto FC’s done in an attacking sense revolves around their 3-5-2 formation. Spreading central defenders across the back and allowing their fullbacks to go forward and create chances. Toronto’s big three: Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley have simply been impossible to stop this season – scoring 32 goals between them. Those three will undoubtedly be Toronto’s key men to ensure they get the win. Manager, Greg Vaney, has this side playing an exciting brand of football and although star Giovinco has been held scoreless the past two games his presence on the field improves his side greatly. In addition, the improved play of the two Americans, Bradley and Altidore have been a big part of this playoff run and on Saturday it should help complete a dream season and make sure Toronto FC lift the MLS Cup.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

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Some say that the Sounders have been the best team in MLS over the past three months – winning 8 of their last 12 games. Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro are in top form, but it has been their defence that have impressed, conceding very little recently. They handed Colorado Rapids their first defeat at home in 19 games in their playoff game which will give Seattle a real boost for the final. This will be Sounders first ever final, they will surely want to make the most of it and the opposition side will not affect to way they are going to approach this critical game. The story of the back third of the Sounders’ season has more or less been wedded to Lodeiro’s performances. If he has a good day on Saturday it might be just enough to beat Toronto on the road.

MLS is a notoriously difficult road league, and both Toronto’s home record and Seattle’s away record bear that out this season. Last time these 2 teams meet was back in July. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Regardless of who lifts the trophy, we know one thing for certain: It’ll be one serious spectacle.