The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SEATTLE DEFEATS TORONTO TO WIN MLS TITLE
SEATTLE — They waited a decade to enjoy a celebration like this. As the Seattle Sounders paraded the championship trophy around their home stadium, only those clad in red headed for the exits.
Ten years after helping change the scope of Major League Soccer, Seattle finally got to see its home team host the championship match. And it was rewarded with a second celebration in the past four years.
“The players and the fans deserve this,” Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer said. “The players persevered because again it was a first half we needed to make some adjustments and they never quit. And the fans never stopped believing. I’m very happy and proud for the city and the fans.”
Kelvin Leerdam settled the nerves of those home fans with his 57th-minute goal off a deflection, and Victor Rodriguez and Raul Ruidiaz added the cappers as the Sounders beat Toronto FC 3-1 on Sunday to claim the MLS Cup title.
Playing before the second-largest crowd for an MLS Cup final, the Sounders withstood a nervy first 45 minutes where Toronto was the better side, before capitalizing on their opportunities in the second half and setting off a wild celebration that lasted nearly an hour after the final whistle. CenturyLink Field shook when Rodriguez gave Seattle a 2-0 lead in the 76th minute and the stadium rattled again when Ruidiaz made it 3-0 in the 90th.
“I got a little teary-eyed, not so much for winning the trophy but winning it at home with our fans and having that positivity and joyous moments that you can share with everybody,” Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei said.
Seattle had craved this moment since it joined the league in 2009. The Sounders brought record crowds and record success — 11 straight playoff appearances — but its previous two appearances in the final both required trips to Toronto. Seattle wanted to be on display, wanted to show how soccer-mad the area was, wanted the showcase of playing for a championship with a stadium crammed full of green.
They got their wish. The 69,274 in attendance was a stadium record, the largest crowd to see a soccer match in Seattle, and the second-largest to witness an MLS Cup final behind last year in Atlanta. Seattle became the sixth franchise in league history with multiple titles. The Sounders joined Houston, Sporting Kansas City and San Jose with two titles. The LA Galaxy have five, and D.C. United four.
It was among the most anticipated finals in league history, and Seattle — eventually — delivered.
“If we played this game in Toronto, we would have lost,” Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “But with our fans, the ball bouncing our way at home, we won this game.”
Those fans were forced to nervously sit on their hands for nearly an hour because Toronto was the better side. Toronto dominated possession and seemed the more likely side to find a goal.
They controlled possession. They connected their passes more often. They seemed comfortable in the setting, while Seattle seemed uneasy.
The second goal was the eventual game-winner for Seattle and the one that will be replayed for years.
Rodriguez’s goal started with Gustav Svensson’s pass to Nicolas Lodeiro that left perfectly for Rodriguez near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to find space and Westberg couldn’t get his hand on the shot to the far post.
“I’m thrilled for all my teammates,” said Rodriguez, who subbed on in the 61st minute and was MVP of the game. “I think we deserve that and I’m really happy.”