Little bit of context since I've seen a lot about Seattle being the "best team in MLS" the last few months of the season since getting some players I've never heard off:
Records since August (last 11 games):
Seattle: 5W, 4D, 2L for 19 points; 16 goals scored, 8 conceded.
TFC: 8W, 1D, 2L for 25 points; 32 goals scored, 14 conceded (5 of which came in that Montreal game).
Seattle played SKC, Minn, Vancouver a few times, sinking Dallas a few times, Galaxy, Portland, Philly (who beat them soundly). They really haven't played a tough team in over three months.
TFC played Portland (destroyed them), Chicago, Montreal 3 times, Philly (destroyed them), San Jose, NE, NYRB, Atlanta. Much tougher end to the season. And 6 more points, double the goals.
Again, just context.
Last edited by Canary10; 12-04-2017 at 11:54 AM.
FWIW, the threat of snow appears to have decreased in the most recent weather forecasts for Saturday afternoon.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/1...nto-december-9
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/...south-parkdale
If our big boys play the way they should, we will win. If they don't, we can see another shoot out.
The west was brutal this year and Seattle are a great team, but they haven't played a tough team yet. Would love to see us attack, we are home...let's put them under pressure
Either team can win this. Seattle is a very good team but TFC is better when firing on all cylinders. I hope the cold weather doesn't get in the way of what we know TFC are capable of this season.
Ok...so....where are the GA areas this season? Anybody know?
Anyone know how many Seattle fans will be making the trip this year? There was about a 1000 last year if I’m not mistaken.
I'm going with my College age daughter who is about as tall as Giovinco. Regardless of the outcome, being able to do that is just priceless. I almost cried when I got the tickets today.
Remember The Man, The Legend, The Goal 5-12-07 and All That #9 Left On The Pitch, Thanks For The Memories !!!
Let's hope for better outcome then last year,it will make your experience really priceless.
Speaking from my own experience,last year I flew in my son all the way from Croatia just for final game,and losing that game was very bitter pill to swallow and definitely ruined something that was suppose to be the father son moment for life.
Since we failed last year I had no choice but bring him here again,can't let him miss TFC raising MLS CUP at BMO Field.
Seattle is stacked. Maybe the West is easier but they played Portland 3 times, we played Montreal. K.J mentioned this. They also brought in some big players that took time to get adjusted. Rodriguez is looking in form. There whole team, honestly. Loderio, Rodriguez, Dempsey, Bruin, Alonso... They have Morris on the bench...
This is going to be a helluva game.
^ I don't think Seattle is stacked. I think they are a middling team, and the guys that won them the game last year haven’t been the same since.
I get the PTSD but, hello, it's over. We cannot be stopped. We have won all four playoff series the last two years. Seattle has zero shots on goal the last 210 minutes, and beat us with the save of the century.
Their number is up. I don’t care what they do, we are better. If they score first, we will pour 4 in after that.
“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.”
My daughter was born in late 2005 so she was really born into this team through her Dad (who joined RPB in 2007) --- I actually took her to the (away) opener at Joes in 2008 at about 2+ years old --- I know, positive parenting.....since about Year 5 (2011) at about 5+ years old she goes with me to the Home Opener every year no matter how cold it was, it has been her special thing that she shares with her Daddy (on occasion the wife and the other child (younger sister) have come along when the weather is perfect in the summer) but for her and I this has really been a bonding experience over the years (many of you have seen us at Joes over the years) -- like others, I shared these events with my brother in the past (Leafs in 93 - Game 7 vs the Kings! and subsequent ECFs), the Jays from 1985 through 1993 (I was at the every WS game with my brother including the Carter HR), and as special as those memories are, there is something different seeing something through from the very beginning and sharing it with my own child from the very beginning, for those of you with kids, I know you will understand.
I remember driving home last year after the MLS Cup, and I was more sad than angry at the time, as I remember chatting with my daughter on the way home about how precious and rare these opportunities are to experience the ultimate at Home in our stadium and our city - together. I remember saying that the worst part is that we would have to wait at least an entire year and hope a bunch of things all went our way (luck, avoiding a bad PK call, talent, injuries to key players, etc.) all in the hopes of just getting back to that moment again, and frankly thinking it may never even come again --- so many things can go against you to derail the path to that moment of ultimate glory and how last years run was so magical - that Montreal series is still ridiculous when you look back it.....and now here we are.....
This team came back this year and rather than wallow in pity over what happened, they said "F" this, we are going to try to dominate from wire to wire and show everyone that we are the best team in this league - period. They have been a joy to watch this past regular season and I made sure to go to as many games as I have ever been to with my daughter to really savour the brilliance of this team.....and then the playoffs arrived....
Something happened in the playoffs and the team that scored 14 goals in in the 2016 ECSF and ECF (and 3 in the knock out), now scored just 3 goals in 4 games and dragged across that eastern conference finish line in a much different fashion than last years playoffs and most of this regular season; in my humble opinion - they frankly willed themselves back to this point, it's not a criticism, it's an observation - they showed guts and drive and determination to get back to the only place where this season was meant to go since December 10th at about 11PM.....
I hope and I pray that the result we all are hoping for comes to pass and I get to share THAT moment with my special TFC seat-mate ---- I hope that others too, are able to share it with those that have struggled along the way with us for the first 8 years of truly abysmal soccer, and who have "struggled" since last December in a much different way, the idea that this season really does all come down to this one game; no it doesn't mean that the past season was a waste, but I think we all know that this group (almost all of it), have been brought back to this moment, to get their moment which they so richly deserve (and a little bit of our moment too, especially the long time sufferers)......
Good Luck to them and to us.....let's hope it's a day and a night we never forget -for all the right reasons.....
Bruin is terrible. Hard to imagine he's their striker.
Don't let anyone tell you they became some unstoppable force since their mid season additions. They had 19 points since August, we had 25, and double the goals scored. And they didn't play anyone good in those three months.
Officially Sold Out !! Saturday can't come soon enough !!
Remember The Man, The Legend, The Goal 5-12-07 and All That #9 Left On The Pitch, Thanks For The Memories !!!
Wow. Can't wait. I'm still pinching myself that I actually got a pair of tickets.
If you're coming from Ottawa, where should one park?
Tactics: I expect Seattle to play us exactly the way Columbus did. Overload the midfield, press, force us to try to go over the top, otherwise drop 10 men back, regroup, and try again whenever TFC are bringing in upfield. It almost worked for Columbus. They had us on the ropes, and outchanced us in the first 3 of the 4 halves. They just could not score (I think they had 1 goal in 5 playoff games at even strength).
Vanney did better in the second half Wednesday, with the switch to the 4-4-2 diamond at halftime, so I kind of expect him to start with that Saturday.
I really do think the key to our offence is unlocking Morrow and Beitashour/Hasler going forward. Both NYRB and Columbus put good pressure on our backline, and we did way too much Route 1 long ball in response. The quick tic tac pass play to spring the wingbacks wide is the key to us solving the pressure and opening them up in open field.
In the diamond, bringing wingbacks up puts massive pressure on Bradley and Delgado to cover, if the move forward is broken up.
Those are the keys to the game. Making quick outlet passes to beat the pressure, and getting great box-to-box play from Bradley and Delgado. We get both of those, and we will win by 3 goals.
Last edited by ensco; 12-05-2017 at 09:55 AM.
“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.”
Liberty Village is ideal to park if you can get down there early enough --- if not, somewhere along a major transit line (TTC subway line has parking lots at various locations depending on where you are staying in the city) this will allow you to take a streetcar to the key areas near BMO.....FYI they have made some of the areas along King Steet (near RTH and the Theaters) in the downtown core a "car-free" zone so be mindful of that if you are driving towards BMO from that area.....