Don’t listen to the critics. The Seattle Sounders weren’t lucky or thoroughly outplayed. They won MLS Cup because the team played disciplined soccer that was ultimately rewarded with a couple of beautiful finishes.
I’m not here to claim the match was pretty. The nerves of playing in front of a record-breaking crowd appeared to cause some real issues early on. Poor giveaways. Sloppy possession. Not to mention, Toronto came out with a smart game plan that focused on overloading the midfield. Still, the Sounders remained organized defensively. They also had Gustav Svensson — the best Swedish player in the league — to provide some much-needed subtle swagger and keep Toronto away from the 18-yard box.