2020 MLS Cup Final: Sounders at Crew - Saturday December 12th, 8 pm.

[Red CB Toronto]

After an unprecedented season that saw many of the tops teams flame out early on in the playoffs including our Reds, the certain rises on 2020 with the Sounders making the trek to Ohio's state capital to take on the Crew in the MLS Cup Final on Saturday night. Some of the TFC related story lines include 2010 Red Patch Boys Player of the Year "Super" Stefan Frei going for his third title in five seasons and former Reds GM Tim Bezbatchenko now at the helm of the Crew as the team's president. After the Sounders huge comeback victory over the Loons in the Western Conference Final, you have expect anything can happen, so it will be interesting to see how this matchup shapes up.



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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EosLRAHVEAEAbZF?format=jpg&name=large

[DaviRed]

What was the back story on why Stefan moved on or TFC moved on from Stefan?

[OgtheDim]

What was the back story on why Stefan moved on or TFC moved on from Stefan?


Incompetence - Frei was due a raise, Bendik was cheaper.

[Bushmancan]

Frei was mortal last night. In some ways, i think his team bailed him out. For sure he was late on the first set piece... dont get me wrong, love Frei, just saying.

[MightyDM]

Frei was mortal last night. In some ways, i think his team bailed him out. For sure he was late on the first set piece... dont get me wrong, love Frei, just saying.


Thats a bit harsh. it was right over the middle of the wall and off the post. Pretty tough save, certainly not an expected one. Plus the guy in the middle of the wall (who I think was the same one who committed the foul) didnt' jump..

[Ponderosa]

Incompetence - Frei was due a raise, Bendik was cheaper.

Incompetence and impatience...he was a great player and ambassador for the team because he genuinely loved the City and would have stayed (I believe) but Frei was coming off injury and wasn't quite himself yet. His first few games back from injury weren't great as I recall.

One of my all time favs in red so I'm happy for his success-just wishing it had been with us.

[Initial B]

I just shows how crucial it is to have an excellent front office in MLS: A President with a clear Mission and Vision, a General Manager with the skills and savvy to get the pieces they need, and a coach with brilliant philosophy, formation and tactics to best make use of the pieces given to him. In 2017 all three came together to create the best MLS club of all time.

[Redcoe15]

The Snotbags vs. the Pisstains.

No fuckin' thanks!!! :prrr:

[Auzzy]

Yeah Seattle have set things up well...

But can they both lose on Saturday?

BTW I mentioned it in the other thread, but I was surprised at the number of familiar faces at the Crew: Bez, Pat Onstad, Corey Wray, Jordan Hamilton and Josh Williams.

I thought there was one more former TFC player, but perhaps I got that confused.

[kottisinick]

Despite seattle being 4 finals out of 5. This is another thing to think about. Since they came into mls they have always made the playoffs. They have always been in the mix and competitive. They are just reaping the rewards lately. Hate to say it but if they win on Saturday this will be a dynasty.

[benito]

The Crew have a positive Covid test ahead of the final.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4257681/columbus-crew-have-new-positive-covid-test-ahead-of-mls-cup-final-vs-seattle-sounders

[Initial B]

This is really hard to figure out who I want to win. Just because I don't want to give Seattle Dynasty status (and I guess due to their collective suffering over the past 3 years) I think I'll be cheering for Columbus.

[Bushmancan]

#savethecrew. have to be honest, respect Seattle so much but i love that Precourt abandoned Columbus for Austin, its only fitting for them to win. Other than that screw them both. Hahaha

[Smokecell]

Nagbe and Pedro Santos ruled out of the cup with covid. 3rd star for Seattle en route.

[RealG-TFC]

An asterisk sure.

[Kamp Berg]

I really think all the talk of the Sounders being a dynasty is pretty immature. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but have they ever done much in the CCL or the US Open? Just winning MLS cups is way too narrow of a definition if you ask me.

[Red CB Toronto]

I really think all the talk of the Sounders being a dynasty is pretty immature. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but have they ever done much in the CCL or the US Open? Just winning MLS cups is way too narrow of a definition if you ask me.

Sounders have won 4 US Open Cups, their last was in 2014. The US Open is a strange beast as you never know what approach the teams take. The Galaxy were infamous for sending reserve sides especially against lower division sides and Bruce Arena on occasion would send one of his assistants to oversea the duties.

[ag futbol]

Nagbe and Pedro Santos ruled out of the cup with covid. 3rd star for Seattle en route.
Uggh, this was never going to be perfect but that really dents the legitimacy of the final.

[Red CB Toronto]

A beautiful day in Columbus LOL

https://twitter.com/Morgan_Hughes/status/1337849021403193344

[portu]

Nice to see Mapfre back to its usual capacity of 2000 people

[OgtheDim]

Josh Williams gets his cup final - good for him.

[PaceyWinger]

I don't like the idea of Columbus with a trophy but the prospect of Sounders winning makes me more nautious.

[OgtheDim]

This game looks awful familiar....

[MikeForbes]

A good flow to the game so far.

[PaceyWinger]

This game looks awful familiar....
No kidding. Sometimes its a bit preposterous.

[MikeForbes]

That was a cross and a half.

[Yohan]

I feel dirty cheering for Columbus. blech

[OgtheDim]

Can Seattle win an MLS cup after a first half goal against?

[MikeForbes]

Zelarayan putting on a show tonight.

[ag futbol]

Columbus has Seattle on the ropes here.

Sounder defending in spots looks pretty poor and the Crew seem to know exactly where to press.

[Bushmancan]

Zelarayan was sooo smooth there. Was beautiful to watch. The quote from Porter getting them moving side-to-side was really quite insightfull.

[Oldtimer]

I don't like the idea of Columbus with a trophy but the prospect of Sounders winning makes me more nautious.

It's who you dislike the least.

Columbus is playing pretty good, flowing football.

[OgtheDim]

Seattle getting outcoached here - a lot like 2017.

Went with the same team and getting killed on the wings - assumed they would have the ball more.

Long way to go yet but as many up here are saying, Seattle has played bad for now 8 out of 9 halves they have played in MLS Cup Finals.

[PaceyWinger]

Seattle getting outcoached here - a lot like 2017.

Went with the same team and getting killed on the wings - assumed they would have the ball more.

Long way to go yet but as many up here are saying, Seattle has played bad for now 8 out of 9 halves they have played in MLS Cup Finals.

Schmetz already has one foot on his way to a job interview in hogtown. No thanks tho.

[Bushmancan]

Don’t mind seeing Columbus, except they are going to be good for a while.

[MikeForbes]

Starting Roldan over Leerdam is kind of dumb.

[OgtheDim]

Yeah, no thanks to Schmetzer.

Columbus playing Porter ball to a tee - clog the middle, pace, second balls, long direct, defensive pressure, 2 strong CB's who move up into the passing lanes & then retreat.

Half way there but a well played game so far by them.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

WOW, just wow, what I'm doing?
I found myself cheering big time for the piss-stains, lol...

Anyways, great first half for Columbus, and Seattle doing a big zero, nada in the first half.
Go Columbus!

[MightyDM]

I like that young Aiden Morris for Columbus. One to watch.

[MightyDM]

Don’t mind seeing Columbus, except they are going to be good for a while.

I guess we have to give credit to Bez. Whatever happens.

[OgtheDim]

Don’t mind seeing Columbus, except they are going to be good for a while.


I don't mind a well constructed team that plays the game in a good way - CBus, Philly us - all worth watching and worth competing against.

Its the Nashville's that I most despise.

[ag futbol]

Seattle has played bad for now 8 out of 9 halves they have played in MLS Cup Finals.
I think that’s a bit of a reach.

Broadly, they didn’t come to play in round one but weren’t entirely outplayed. Round 2 is no question. Round 3... I’d have to rewatch that first half. some people think we outplayed them... I thought we looked like a cagey underdog more than eventual winner, sure enough...

Now if you’re argument is they are no dynasty, I would have to agree.

[OgtheDim]

Starting Roldan over Leerdam is kind of dumb.


Doesn't help that his teammates seem to be defensively clueless

https://twitter.com/MattDoyle76/status/1337950318466920449

[PizzaEatingYeti]

I guess we have to give credit to Bez. Whatever happens.

This, big time!

[Bushmancan]

Well at least Seattle has a shot on goal.

[Bushmancan]

If that was Mavinga, its a Red Card. Or at least reviewed.

[ag futbol]

You know, we always talk about Frei but shouldn’t we talk about Williams who we basically jettisoned for Zavaleta on $300k a year.

[OgtheDim]

You know, we always talk about Frei but shouldn’t we talk about Williams who we basically jettisoned for Zavaleta on $300k a year.

Zavs got that (too much IMHO) after 2016 after a better season then Williams (who still had 2015 hanging over him).

Bit less black & white.

[ag futbol]

Zavs got that (too much IMHO) after 2016 after a better season then Williams (who still had 2015 hanging over him).

Bit less black & white.
That is fair. Not sure I’d see him as an ideal starter on today’s team either, despite being first choice for Columbus.

[Bushmancan]

There’s your MVP. Zelarayan

[PaceyWinger]

What a game for Zelarayan. wow

[tfcfans]

Done and done - 2 in 4 and completely outplayed in those two, and a fluke in the first one with no shots on goal (still bitter), and even last year they were outplayed for more than half until a fluke deflection turned the tide —- not a dynasty, they stole a star from us in 2016.....

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Ladies and Gents:

MLS CUP 2020 winners:

The PISS STAINS!

[MikeForbes]

Zelarayan with an all-time performance. #InvestInYourDPs

[PaceyWinger]

Piss on your shirt.
Piss on your shirt.
Those yellow stripes look like Piss on your Shirt.

[Bushmancan]

Losing by 3 is the greatest losing margin in the 25 year history.

[PaceyWinger]

i knew even as i was cheering for them, i would hate it the minute the whistle sounded. great game for Zelarayan. Trully impressive from a guy i already liked. Great performance for the rest of the crew. But still. ew.

[PaceyWinger]

Congrats to Bez though.

[benito]

Congrats to Bez and the Crew.

[NK Toronto]

Seattle just aren't that good.

[Oldtimer]

I guess we have to give credit to Bez. Whatever happens.

Bez deserves this. He's great at building teams, even in a second tier market.

[ag futbol]

Lol, Don Garber.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

This just demonstrates again that Bez was by far the best TFC manager.
I'm just afraid that we won't have for many years, maybe decades such a good general manager again.

[MikeForbes]

Gonna need a better mic.

[OgtheDim]

Nice of the owner to say "take the trophy" to the captain - knows what the priorities are.

[Red CB Toronto]

Congrats to Bez, JHams and Josh, all former Reds.

[Auzzy]

I know it's hard to cheer for Columbus, but consider what they went through, especially with the Precourt shenanigans. This win was a good FU to close that chapter, and also to end their run in the first soccer-specific stadium in MLS. (I think?)

Others have mentioned Bez, Jordan Hamilton and Josh Williams. I'm also happy for Pat Onstad and Corey Wray. And Stefan Frei needs a haircut and a beard trim before I consider cheering for him again LOL.

EDIT Oh and Jaime McMillan is with the Crew as well.

[ag futbol]

Nice of the owner to say "take the trophy" to the captain - knows what the priorities are.
I was glad to see that too.

The whole American “owner takes the trophy first” thing is so backwards. How fragile are the egos involved to have to do such a thing?

[Joe Kool]

And Stefan Frei needs a haircut and a beard trim before I consider cheering for him again LOL.

I was a fan of Frei when he was here and actually have his name on a kit from back then. I wished him nothing but the best when he moved on knowing that TFC let him go to save some money on Kocic at the time which was not great management in hindsight. I lost respect for Frei though after an interview he had prior to coming to MLS Cup in Toronto in 2016. He was asked if it means anything to him to go back to Toronto where he was a fan favourite and where he got his start to battle for his first MLS Cup. He said that Toronto and the Toronto fans mean nothing to him and it is just another city in MLS to him and that he is very happy to have moved on from Toronto. I don't care if he hates on the TFC FO for whatever happened but disrespecting the city and the fans is not very cool when all of us cheered him on and treated him so well while he was here. It kind of showed some of his character so probably not someone I would cheer for ever anymore and I have retired the jersey into my closet.

[GhostKiller]

I was a fan of Frei when he was here and actually have his name on a kit from back then. I wished him nothing but the best when he moved on knowing that TFC let him go to save some money on Kocic at the time which was not great management in hindsight. I lost respect for Frei though after an interview he had prior to coming to MLS Cup in Toronto in 2016. He was asked if it means anything to him to go back to Toronto where he was a fan favourite and where he got his start to battle for his first MLS Cup. He said that Toronto and the Toronto fans mean nothing to him and it is just another city in MLS to him and that he is very happy to have moved on from Toronto. I don't care if he hates on the TFC FO for whatever happened but disrespecting the city and the fans is not very cool when all of us cheered him on and treated him so well while he was here. It kind of showed some of his character so probably not someone I would cheer for ever anymore and I have retired the jersey into my closet.
Oh snap I never heard that interview. Pretty shitty of him if true. I remember in the early TFC days he couldn't get through a post game interview without stumbling over his words he was so nervous in front of the cameras.

[Auzzy]

Wow I missed that Frei interview as well, that sucks.

[Bushmancan]

I was a fan of Frei when he was here and actually have his name on a kit from back then. I wished him nothing but the best when he moved on knowing that TFC let him go to save some money on Kocic at the time which was not great management in hindsight. I lost respect for Frei though after an interview he had prior to coming to MLS Cup in Toronto in 2016. He was asked if it means anything to him to go back to Toronto where he was a fan favourite and where he got his start to battle for his first MLS Cup. He said that Toronto and the Toronto fans mean nothing to him and it is just another city in MLS to him and that he is very happy to have moved on from Toronto. I don't care if he hates on the TFC FO for whatever happened but disrespecting the city and the fans is not very cool when all of us cheered him on and treated him so well while he was here. It kind of showed some of his character so probably not someone I would cheer for ever anymore and I have retired the jersey into my closet.


He does look really krusty after every goal allowed, but i took that as being a competitor and not so much being a prick....LOL.

[Joe Kool]

He does look really krusty after every goal allowed, but i took that as being a competitor and not so much being a prick....LOL.

For all I know the interview I saw was more about him pumping up how happy he was to be a Sounder and that he is not unhappy about the decision made for him to leave Toronto and maybe also some attempt at pre-MLS Cup rivalry type talk but his choice of words was very poor if he didn't mean to insult Toronto fans that care about him when he was here.....but if he did intend to insult us and the city then job done. When you only see these people in interviews you can only take them for the words that are coming out of their mouths.