Sounders, facing Crew, seek 3rd title in 5 years

Having played in three of the previous four MLS Cup finals, the Seattle Sounders know what to expect on this stage. The difference this time around? The opponent won’t be wearing red.

“Well, we’re not playing Toronto for one,” Seattle midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “That is a bit strange.”

The Sounders will attempt to win their third title in the past five seasons on Saturday night when they face the Columbus Crew in Ohio. An unpredictable season that began in late February will end with two of the most consistent teams through all the chaos playing for the title.

Along the way, Seattle and Columbus navigated a threemonth league stoppage, a tournament in Florida, the restart of games in home markets and finally the playoffs.

Even the final match will be impacted by COVID-19 as Columbus will play without starting midfielders Darlington Nagbe and Pedro Santos after both tested positive.

Columbus coach Caleb Porter said he learned during practice Thursday.

“I just feel for them,” Porter said. “Obviously, they’re healthy, so that’s first and foremost the most important thing. But I just feel for them on a personal level, a human level that they can’t be a part of an MLS Cup that they so deserve to be a part of. A big reason we’re here in this position is those two guys.”

Seattle is trying to become the league’s first repeat champion since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12. Seattle had the chance to repeat three years ago in Toronto but fell short against a superior side. Still, Seattle is the first team since D.C. United in the infancy of MLS to reach four finals in five seasons.

In a league built for parity, Seattle has deftly maneuvered its way to becoming an elite team. And while there’s been some significant luck and good fortune along the way, even entertaining the idea of being called a dynasty only comes through capitalizing on those opportunities.

“The players don’t think about it too much. It’s not something we’ve talked about a ton. Our whole focus is not what we’ve done in the past, but what we are going to do this week because none of that matters,” Seattle’s Jordan Morris said.