Wikipedia

MLS Cup 2017

MLS Cup 2017 was the 22nd edition of the MLS Cup, the championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), contested between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders FC on December 9, 2017. The soccer match was hosted at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, for the second consecutive year and third time overall. Both teams made their second appearance in the MLS Cup, in a rematch of the 2016 edition.

MLS Cup 2017
BMO Field in Toronto hosted the match.
EventMLS Cup
Toronto FC Seattle Sounders FC
2 0
DateDecember 9, 2017 (2017-12-09)
VenueBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
MLS Cup MVPJozy Altidore
(Toronto FC)
RefereeAllen Chapman[1]
Attendance30,584
WeatherCloudy, 1 °C (34 °F)[2]
← 2016
2018 →

After a goalless first half, Toronto FC took the lead in the 67th minute through a Jozy Altidore goal. Toronto's 2–0 win over Seattle was capped by a 94th minute counterattack that resulted in a goal by Víctor Vázquez. Toronto FC became the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup and the first MLS team to complete a domestic treble.

Due to Toronto's win, the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League berth reserved for the MLS Cup champions instead went to New York Red Bulls, the US based team (excluding other qualifiers) that finished with the highest aggregate regular season points in 2017 and 2018. Toronto was ineligible to qualify through the berth, which belongs to the United States Soccer Federation, but participated in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League after winning the Canadian Championship. Toronto also qualified to host and play in the inaugural Campeones Cup against Campeón de Campeones winners Tigres UANL.

Road to the final

edit
Further information: 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs

The MLS Cup is the post-season championship of Major League Soccer (MLS), a professional club soccer league in the United States and Canada. The 2017 season was the 22nd in MLS history and was contested by 22 teams in two conferences in the east and west. Each club played 34 matches during the regular season from March to October, facing each team in the same conference at least twice and teams in the other conference at least once.[3][4] The playoffs, running from October to December, were contested between the top six clubs in each conference and included four rounds: a one-match knockout round for the lowest-seeded teams, two rounds of home-and-away series, and the one-match final.[5]

The two finalists, Toronto and Seattle, faced each other in the 2016 cup, which was won by Seattle in a penalty shootout.[6] It was the third in league history to feature a rematch of the previous year, the other two being the 2006 and 2007 wins by Houston Dynamo and the 2011 and 2012 wins by LA Galaxy.[7] The 2017 cup was also the first to see both of the higher-seeded sides advance from the conference finals since it was changed to a home-and-away series, in 2012.[8] The two teams played a single regular season match, hosted by Seattle in May, which Toronto won 1–0.[9]

Toronto FC

edit
Further information: 2017 Toronto FC season
 
Sebastian Giovinco lead Toronto FC in goals scored during their treble campaign in 2017

After their MLS Cup loss, Toronto FC looked to return to the cup as well as compete for the Supporters' Shield and Canadian Championship.[10][11] In addition to their 2016 roster, the team acquired French leftback Chris Mavinga and Spanish midfielder Víctor Vázquez to fill depth roles;[12] manager Greg Vanney placed a strong emphasis on an organized defense, one of the team's strengths during the 2016 season.[13] The team entered the season as a favorite to win the cup,[14] as well as a key challenger for the Supporters' Shield.[15] Toronto immediately jumped into a run of good form, with only three losses in the first half of the season, and remained near level with Chicago Fire at the top of the league.[16] Despite two consecutive losses in September, Toronto finished the season as Supporters' Shield champion, breaking the record for most points (69) and tying the record for most wins (20).[17][18]

Toronto faced the New York Red Bulls in the conference semifinals and took a 2–1 lead away in New Jersey. The team returned home and lost 1–0, but advanced on the away goals rule with the 2–2 aggregate draw.[19] The home fixture was marred by a halftime brawl between the teams that saw Jozy Altidore sent off and Sebastian Giovinco suspended for yellow card accumulation in receiving a yellow card in two consecutive matches.[20] In the conference finals, Toronto traveled to play Columbus Crew SC, earning a 0–0 away draw and a 1–0 win at home, qualifying them for the MLS Cup.[21]

Seattle Sounders FC

edit
Further information: 2017 Seattle Sounders FC season

The Sounders entered the season as defending MLS Cup champions, their first title after years of early playoff exits.[22] Head coach Brian Schmetzer, promoted from his interim role, made offseason roster changes to replace older veteran players with younger talent that align with general manager Garth Lagerwey's vision for the club.[23][24] Among the additions were MLS veteran Will Bruin, homegrown player Henry Wingo, academy graduate Nouhou Tolo, and veteran defenders Gustav Svensson and Kelvin Leerdam, adding to the team's depth positions.[25][26] Seattle started the season slowly, with only five wins in the first 17 matches, due to injury troubles and inconsistent lineups.[27] From late June to early September, the team welcomed back injured players and went on a 13-match unbeaten streak that put them in playoff contention.[28] The streak ended with a series of draws and losses,[29] but the Sounders recovered with three wins in late September and October to clinch a second-place finish in the Western Conference.[30]

Seattle faced their Canadian rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, in the conference semifinals. After a scoreless draw in Vancouver, the Sounders returned home and won 2–0 on a pair of goals scored by Clint Dempsey.[31] In the conference finals, the Sounders played Houston Dynamo and earned a 2–0 win in the away leg after a Dynamo player was sent off early in the match.[32] Heading into the home leg with an advantage on away goals, Seattle went for an aggressive 3–0 win to give them a 5–0 aggregate win that was capped by home-and-away goals by former Dynamo forward Will Bruin.[33] The Sounders maintained a shutout streak that carried over from the 2016 Western Conference Final, reaching 647 minutes after the win over Houston.[34]

Summary of results

edit
Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).
Toronto FC Round Seattle Sounders FC
1st place in Eastern Conference
Pos Team
 Pld Pts
1 Toronto FC 34 69
2 New York City FC 34 57
3 Chicago Fire 34 55
4 Atlanta United FC 34 55
5 Columbus Crew 34 54
Source: MLS

     Qualified for playoffs

Regular season 2nd place in Western Conference
Pos Team
 Pld Pts
1 Portland Timbers 34 53
2 Seattle Sounders FC 34 53
3 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 34 52
4 Houston Dynamo 34 50
5 Sporting Kansas City 34 49
Source: MLS

     Qualified for playoffs

Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg MLS Cup Playoffs Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg
New York Red Bulls 2–2 (a) 2–1 (A) 0–1 (H) Conference Semifinals Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2–0 0–0 (A) 2–0 (H)
Columbus Crew SC 1–0 0–0 (A) 1–0 (H) Conference Finals Houston Dynamo 5–0 2–0 (A) 3–0 (H)

Venue

edit

BMO Field was confirmed as the host of MLS Cup 2017 after Toronto FC won the Eastern Conference Championship on November 29, 2017, leaving them as the highest remaining seed.[35] The stadium was renovated and expanded prior to the 2016 season and hosted MLS Cup 2016.[36][37] Capacity for the 2017 cup was the standard capacity of BMO Field at about 30,000 seats, compared to the extra 6,000 seats available at the 2016 cup which had been reused after a temporary installation for the Grey Cup and NHL Centennial Classic.[38]

On December 1, a round of tickets was released to season seat holders and quickly sold out. Additional tickets were released to the general public on December 4, which were sold out in less than an hour and appeared on secondary markets for well above face value shortly after.[39]

Broadcasting

edit

The MLS Cup final was broadcast in English by ESPN in the United States and TSN in Canada. UniMás and Univision Deportes carried the Spanish broadcast in the United States, while TVA Sports carried the French broadcast in Canada.[40]

For ESPN, Adrian Healey, Taylor Twellman, and Julie Stewart-Binks called the match, with pre-game and post-game coverage conducted by Max Bretos, Kasey Keller, and Alejandro Moreno.[41][42] For TSN, Luke Wileman and Steven Caldwell called the match, with pre-game and post-game coverage conducted by James Duthie, alongside Terry Dunfield and Kristian Jack.[43] For UniMás and Univision Deportes, Raul Guzmán, Marcelo Balboa, and Diego Balado called the match.[44]

Viewership and ratings

edit

The ESPN broadcast registered a 0.7 Nielsen rating, up 75 percent from the MLS Cup 2015 broadcast on ESPN.[45] The ESPN and Spanish language broadcasts in the United States drew an audience of 1.1 million combined viewers, a 43 percent decline from the 2016 final.[46] The TSN broadcast drew an audience of 1.3 million viewers in Canada, a 13.3 percent decline from the 2016 final.[47]

Match

edit

Summary

edit
 
Seattle's Stefan Frei made six saves in the first half, one short of the MLS Cup record set in 2003.

Despite forecasts with cold and snowy conditions,[48] the match kicked off in cloudy weather at a temperature of 1 °C (34 °F), reported to be −7 °C (19 °F) with wind chill.[49] The Sounders were without injured captain Osvaldo Alonso,[50] and also chose to start Joevin Jones at left back in place of Nouhou Tolo.[51] Toronto switched to a 4–4–2 diamond formation, a departure from the 3–5–2 formation used during the regular season and playoff, as Greg Vanney attempted to counter Seattle's strong central players.[52]

Toronto spent most of the first half in possession, making several attacking runs and being the more dominant team. They were unable to score, however, due to a series of saves from Seattle's Stefan Frei,[50] who tied an MLS Cup record for second most saves in a half at six saves, behind Pat Onstad's seven at the 2003 final.[52][53] He made a diving stop to deny Sebastian Giovinco in the 10th minute and a push on the ball from Giovinco in the 23rd minute.[49] Jones took Seattle's first shot of the match in the 30th minute, ending the club's 150-minute streak without a shot on target between the two MLS Cup finals.[49][52] In the final moments of the half, Frei saved a shot from Víctor Vázquez and the Sounders nearly scored an own goal after Joevin Jones made a clearance that veered towards the goal.[54][55] The Sounders were largely unable to challenge the Toronto goal, with the exception of several counterattacks through the middle of the field.[52]

Toronto continued its control of possession and attacking chances early in the second half, with Frei making two key saves on shots from Michael Bradley and Giovinco after the hour mark.[49] In the 67th minute, Toronto strung together a series of passes on a counterattack to Jozy Altidore, who finished with a left-footed shot over Frei to open the scoring.[54] Seattle brought on Jordan Morris for Víctor Rodríguez, and he immediately tried a shot towards Toronto's goal that was wide of the post.[56] During a corner kick for the Sounders in the 83rd minute, a wire holding the Skycam system over the stadium fell onto the pitch, causing a short delay.[56] Toronto made two consecutive substitutions, switching Armando Cooper for Jonathan Osorio at midfield and Altidore for centerback Nick Hagglund. Seattle attempted to score an equalizer, taking shots that forced Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono to save, but were unable to prevent Toronto from counterattacking. In the 90th minute, Giovinco fell from a shoulder challenge from Cristian Roldan in the penalty area, but calls for a penalty were denied by referee Allen Chapman.[56] Both teams made their final substitutions early in stoppage time, with Toronto bringing on Benoît Cheyrou for Marky Delgado and Seattle switching Jones with Nouhou.[49] A Toronto counterattack in the 94th minute ended with a shot from Cooper that hit the post, but the rebound was finished by Vázquez, clinching a 2–0 victory.[56]

Details

edit
Toronto FC2–0Seattle Sounders FC
 Report
Attendance: 30,584
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Toronto FC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seattle Sounders FC
GK 25   Alex Bono
RB 33   Steven Beitashour
CB 3   Drew Moor
CB 23   Chris Mavinga
LB 2   Justin Morrow
DM 4   Michael Bradley (c)
CM 18   Marky Delgado   90+3'
CM 21   Jonathan Osorio   85'
AM 7   Víctor Vázquez   90+5'
CF 10   Sebastian Giovinco
CF 17   Jozy Altidore   86'
Substitutes:
GK 1   Clint Irwin
DF 6   Nick Hagglund   86'
DF 15   Eriq Zavaleta
DF 26   Nicolas Hasler
MF 8   Benoît Cheyrou   90+3'
MF 31   Armando Cooper   85'
FW 87   Tosaint Ricketts
Manager:
  Greg Vanney
 
GK 24   Stefan Frei
RB 18   Kelvin Leerdam
CB 29   Román Torres
CB 14   Chad Marshall
LB 33   Joevin Jones   90+1'
CM 7   Cristian Roldan
CM 4   Gustav Svensson
RW 10   Nicolás Lodeiro (c)
AM 2   Clint Dempsey
LW 8   Víctor Rodríguez   71'
CF 17   Will Bruin
Substitutes:
GK 1   Tyler Miller
DF 5   Nouhou Tolo   90+1'
DF 15   Tony Alfaro
MF 19   Harry Shipp
MF 21   Jordy Delem
FW 13   Jordan Morris   71'
FW 27   Lamar Neagle
Manager:
  Brian Schmetzer

MLS Cup Most Valuable Player
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)

Assistant referees
Adam Wienckowski (United States)
Jeremy Hanson (United States)
Fourth official
Kevin Stott (United States)
Fifth official
Danny Thornberry
Video assistant referee
David Gantar (Canada)

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Seven named substitutes.
  • Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.

Post-match

edit

Toronto FC became the first Canadian team to win the MLS Cup, and the first MLS team to complete a domestic treble, after winning the Canadian Championship and Supporters' Shield earlier in the season.[57] Toronto received a US$275,000 cash prize as winners, while Seattle was awarded $80,000.[58] Due to Toronto's win, the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League berth reserved for the MLS Cup champions will instead go to the US based team (excluding other qualifiers) that finishes with the highest aggregate regular season points in 2017 and 2018.[59] Toronto was ineligible to qualify through the berth, which belongs to the United States Soccer Federation, but qualified for the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League after winning the 2017 Canadian Championship.[60][61] Toronto was also qualified to host and play in the inaugural Campeones Cup, a new competition staged between the winners of the MLS Cup and the Mexican Campeón de Campeones.[62] Toronto played against Tigres UANL on September 19, 2018, and lost 3–1.[63]

The day after the final, The Seattle Times mistakenly ran pre-scheduled advertisements on its website that promoted a victory parade and rally for the Sounders, which were later removed.[64] As part of a pre-match wager between the mayors of the two cities, Seattle City Hall was lit in red on December 13.[65] Toronto FC celebrated their victory with a parade two days after the final on December 11, traveling from Maple Leaf Square to Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto. The parade was attended by several thousand fans, as well as Toronto Mayor John Tory, who declared the day as "Reds Day".[66] It was the second victory parade held in the city in as many weeks, as the Toronto Argonauts had won the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup in November.[67]

References

edit
  1. ^ "2017 MLS Cup crew announced". Professional Referee Organization. December 2, 2017. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  2. ^ MLS Communications Department; Elias Sports Bureau (February 23, 2024). "2024 Fact and Record Book". Major League Soccer. p. 160. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  3. ^ "MLS releases 2017 regular season schedule". Major League Soccer. January 11, 2017. Archived from the original on May 11, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  4. ^ Pentz, Matt (January 12, 2017). "Major League Soccer releases full 2017 regular-season schedule". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  5. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (October 24, 2017). "A guide to the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs: Teams, dates, seeding, format". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  6. ^ "Sounders return to MLS Cup after 3-0 rout of Dynamo". CBS Sports. Associated Press. December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  7. ^ "2017 MLS Cup: Seattle visit Toronto for third Cup rematch in MLS history". MLSsoccer.com. December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  8. ^ Quillen, Ian (November 21, 2017). "History suggests there won't be a 2016 MLS Cup rematch this year". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  9. ^ Baker, Geoff (May 6, 2017). "Sounders lose MLS Cup rematch 1-0 at home to Toronto FC". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  10. ^ Armstrong, Laura (March 28, 2017). "Fans, TFC players have a growing bond". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  11. ^ Davidson, Neil (February 24, 2017). "TFC looking to avenge Major League Soccer Cup loss". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  12. ^ Boehm, Charles (February 27, 2017). "2017 Season Preview: Toronto FC". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  13. ^ Molinaro, John (January 27, 2017). "Defence to remain a guiding principle for Toronto FC in 2017". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  14. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (March 1, 2017). "New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC early favorites to win 2017 MLS Cup: Complete odds". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  15. ^ Platt, Oliver (March 1, 2017). "Toronto FC is the team to beat in MLS this season". SB Nation. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  16. ^ Molinaro, John (July 1, 2017). "It was just one of those nights for TFC in Dallas". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  17. ^ "MLS Preview: Sounders begin title defense without Dempsey". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  18. ^ "Toronto FC breaks MLS season points record held by 1998 Galaxy". ESPN. October 22, 2017. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  19. ^ Molinaro, John (November 5, 2017). "Toronto FC falls to Red Bulls, still reaches East Final on aggregate". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  20. ^ Davidson, Neil (November 17, 2017). "TFC's Jozy Altidore avoids longer suspension over halftime tunnel fight with Red Bulls players". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  21. ^ Davidson, Neil (November 29, 2017). "Toronto FC to host MLS final after 1-0 win over Columbus in eastern final". Global News. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  22. ^ Goff, Steven (December 9, 2016). "In MLS Cup, Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders embrace cold weather and hot expectations". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  23. ^ Pentz, Matt (February 21, 2017). "Best in the West? Sounders' new challenge is marathon, not sprint". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  24. ^ Pentz, Matt (January 24, 2017). "Nelson Valdez, Andreas Ivanschitz, Erik Friberg, Tyrone Mears among Sounders with contract options declined for 2017". The Seattle Times. p. C4. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  25. ^ Miles, Todd (December 1, 2017). "3 biggest reasons the Sounders are back in the MLS Cup". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  26. ^ Baker, Geoff (March 25, 2017). "Sounders give extended look to several non-starters in 'friendly' against Club Necaxa". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  27. ^ Baker, Geoff (August 11, 2017). "Sounders enter first-place showdown with Sporting KC healthy and riding 7-game unbeaten streak". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  28. ^ Smith, Brennan (September 23, 2017). "Sounders' 13-match unbeaten streak comes to end with 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  29. ^ Pentz, Matt (September 27, 2017). "Sounders romp over first-place Vancouver for first win in a month, move into tie for 2nd in West". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  30. ^ "Defending MLS champion Seattle Sounders claim No. 2 playoff seed in West". USA Today. Associated Press. October 22, 2017. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  31. ^ Calkins, Matt (November 2, 2017). "Clint Dempsey rises to the occasion with clutch goals for Sounders in playoff win over Vancouver". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  32. ^ Roepken, Corey (November 22, 2017). "Sounders beat Dynamo 2-0 in first leg of West final". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  33. ^ Bell, Arch (December 1, 2017). "Inconsistencies in attack and the lineup prove to be Houston's downfall". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  34. ^ Wahl, Grant (November 30, 2017). "Sounders Finish Off Dynamo to Set Up MLS Cup Rematch vs. Toronto FC". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  35. ^ Goff, Steven (November 29, 2017). "Tonight, the first MLS Cup finalist will be decided — and the site of MLS Cup". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  36. ^ Larson, Kurtis (May 5, 2016). "'A whole new stadium': Take a look at renovated BMO Field ahead of Toronto FC home opener". National Post. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  37. ^ Keating, Steve (December 10, 2016). "Sounders beat Toronto FC on penalties to win MLS Cup". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  38. ^ Armstrong, Laura (November 29, 2016). "TFC knows the score, and 1-0 would be just fine". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  39. ^ Ngabo, Gilbert (December 5, 2017). "BMO Field sold out again for Toronto FC finals game". Metro. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  40. ^ "2017 MLS Cup set for December 9, live on ESPN, UniMás, TSN and TVA Sports" (Press release). Major League Soccer. August 23, 2017. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  41. ^ "ESPN Presents 2017 MLS Cup". ESPN MediaZone (Press release). ESPN. December 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  42. ^ Nwulu, Mac (December 4, 2017). "ESPN/ESPN2 Audience for 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Up 38 Percent". ESPN MediaZone (Press release). ESPN. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  43. ^ "Toronto FC Chases MLS CUP Redemption, Live this Saturday (Dec. 9) at 3:30 p.m. ET on TSN" (Press release). Bell Media. December 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  44. ^ "Univision Deportes to Broadcast 2017 MLS Cup" (Press release). Univision Communications. December 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  45. ^ Boehm, Charles (December 10, 2017). "MLS Cup 2017 television ratings on ESPN rise 75 percent over 2015 edition". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  46. ^ Harris, Christopher (December 12, 2017). "2017 MLS Cup final viewership drops 43% across ESPN and Univision Deportes". World Soccer Talk. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  47. ^ "MLS Cup rematch between Toronto and Seattle sees ratings dip in Canada". The National Post. The Canadian Press. December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  48. ^ Bondy, Filip (December 7, 2017). "MLS Cup Caught Between A Rock And A Cold Place". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  49. ^ a b c d e Williams, Bob (December 9, 2017). "Toronto FC defeat Seattle Sounders to win the MLS Cup – as it happened". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  50. ^ a b Petterson, Joel (December 10, 2017). "Toronto F.C. Wins M.L.S. Cup, and a Little Redemption". The New York Times. p. SP2. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  51. ^ Baker, Geoff (December 9, 2017). "Joevin Jones to start at left back in final game of Sounders career as club goes with veteran lineup". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  52. ^ a b c d Parker, Graham (December 9, 2017). "Jozy Altidore has last laugh to seal MLS Cup glory for Toronto FC". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  53. ^ "Le Toronto FC triomphe en finale de la MLS des Sounders de Seattle" [Toronto FC triumphs in MLS final over Seattle Sounders] (in French). Radio-Canada. December 9, 2017. Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  54. ^ a b Armstrong, Laura (December 9, 2017). "Minute by minute: How TFC won the MLS Cup". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  55. ^ "Sounders FC falls 2-0 to Toronto FC in 2017 MLS Cup". Seattle Sounders FC. December 9, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  56. ^ a b c d Whalley, Mike (December 9, 2017). "MLS Cup final - Toronto defeat Seattle 2-0 - Live". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  57. ^ "Toronto beats Seattle to win MLS Cup". BBC Sport. December 9, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  58. ^ Davidson, Neil (December 9, 2017). "MLS Cup win worth $275,000 in bonus cash for TFC". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  59. ^ Stejskal, Sam (September 22, 2017). "How CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers are determined in MLS". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  60. ^ Straus, Brian (April 6, 2017). "MLS clubs have resolution over qualifying for future CCL after format change". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  61. ^ Molinaro, John (July 24, 2017). "Champions League ambitions a sign of culture change at TFC". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  62. ^ Peterson, Anne M. (March 13, 2018). "Toronto FC to host first Campeones Cup as MLS, Mexico's Liga MX form partnership". Toronto Star. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 26, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  63. ^ Shoalts, David (September 19, 2018). "Mexico's Tigres get a little payback, defeat Toronto FC in Campeones Cup". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  64. ^ Jones, Alexandra (December 11, 2017). "Seattle paper shows MLS 'victory' ads for Sounders". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  65. ^ "Seattle City Hall illuminated in red to honor mayor's MLS Cup friendly bet with Toronto". KOMO 4 News. December 13, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  66. ^ "Toronto FC victory parade, fan rally take over downtown". CBC News. December 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  67. ^ McKenna, Ryan (December 11, 2017). "Chanting fans pack downtown Toronto to celebrate TFC's MLS Cup championship". The National Post. The Canadian Press. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
edit


Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=MLS_Cup_2017&oldid=1262804052"