Usually when teams approach a key game, like a championship or rivalry match, coaches avoid giving the other team any sort of bulletin board material. They speak in cliches and vague plaudits. Toronto FC coach, and former Sounders broadcaster, Greg Vanney decided to take a different approach. He questioned if the Seattle Sounders are “ready for the intensity of an MLS Cup final?”
While Vanney is completely correct that Toronto FC struggled in their playoff run, creating intensity despite being overwhelming favorites after their record-setting regular season, the idea that Seattle doesn’t understand intensity ignores a few things.