Keys to the MLS Cup: What TFC has to do to win

Toronto FC couldn’t find the magic spell to beat Seattle in last year’s MLS Cup. Some potions for Saturday:

Winning the battle of the red, white and blue: Captain Michael Bradley is the engine that has kept Toronto running throughout this playoff run, maybe even more so than during the regular season. He’ll face his toughest test of the post-season in fellow American Clint Dempsey. The forward has scored three goals for Seattle during its playoff run and it will be up to Bradley, who has been sitting deep in midfield over the last six weeks, to make sure Dempsey doesn’t find space between himself and the Reds’ back line. And Dempsey may have more defensive duties than he is used to as he tries to keep the always-moving Bradley from starting Toronto’s attacks.

Scoring depth: Toronto struggled to find the incisive offence it is known for during last year’s final and that trend has popped up once again in this year’s playoff run, with the Reds scoring just three goals in four games. An ankle injury to striker Jozy Altidore doesn’t help. It will be up to fellow Sebastian Giovinco and midfielder Victor Vazquez to make sure everyone gets involved up front, a tactic that served Toronto well this year — 15 different players had goals for the Reds, a club record.

Get it wide: TFC is at its best when wingbacks Steven Beitashour and Justin Morrow are getting up the flanks to contribute to Toronto’s attack. It has proven particularly effective on the left side; Morrow scored eight goals this season. The team has struggled to impose their oversized midfield on opponents in the post-season, but getting the ball wide is a great place to start. Morrow will have to keep an eye on his Seattle counterpart Joevin Jones, though, working with defender Chris Mavinga to quell his speed. Laura Armstrong