It all felt very familiar.
From the opening moments of Saturday's MLS Cup between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC, the visiting Sounders were continually on their heels, with Toronto's dynamic attack pushing heavily on Seattle's defense. Each time the Reds were able to break through the backline, though, they were met by a stout brick wall named Stefan Frei. By the end of the first half, the reigning MLS Cup MVP had six saves — just one shy of the MLS Cup record for saves in a half.
"It’s very, very difficult to come into a hostile territory and be a playmaker, I understand that," Frei said.