3 reasons Toronto FC will win the MLS Cup
Toronto FC withstood a gamut of emotions in this playoff run. A blowout in New York preceded a narrow loss in Montreal and a comeback victory at home. The road to TFC's first MLS Cup final was certainly the one less traveled.
But make no mistake: Greg Vanney's side is the favorite in Saturday's showpiece, and deservedly so.
TFC has better Designated Players, better role players, and a better overall atmosphere than the visiting Seattle Sounders. Playing in the raucous confines of BMO Field is daunting for any opponent.
Here are three reasons why Toronto will celebrate the first Canadian winner of an MLS Cup:
Altidore in form of his life
Whether he wants to admit it or not - and he's tried his best to resist the spotlight throughout the playoffs - Jozy Altidore has usurped Sebastian Giovinco as TFC's most important player.
Altidore ran rampant against the Montreal Impact in last month's Eastern Conference final. Not only did he provide the goal that kick-started a second-leg fightback, he also harried opponents and stretched the Impact's defense. His performance was a tour de force, and it wasn't a one-off. He has played with steely determination the entire postseason.
It's not for nothing that Altidore is the first player in MLS history to score five goals in a single postseason. He's averaged around 50 touches per playoff match, showcasing his involvement in Toronto's overall buildup play.
Related: Altidore's team-first attitude, tenacity key to Toronto FC's MLS Cup berth
Work rate has always defined Altidore as a player, but the fact he's scoring so freely is the difference. He's bagged 15 goals and collected another five assists since returning from a nagging hamstring injury in August, and he's done it off set pieces, with his left and right foot, and by way of headers. It's fitting because he's practically omnipresent on the pitch.
Seattle's Chad Marshall will have a handful in the form of Altidore. Even if he can track the 27-year-old's movement, the burly American forward could still create space for Giovinco to infiltrate.
Home field advantage matters
The fear going into the season was that BMO Field couldn't withstand the battering from both MLS and CFL games. TFC shared its home ground with the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts, leading local soccer supporters to believe the pitch would end up in the worst shape possible.
But the grounds crew did an immaculate job, and ensured the surface is pristine for Saturday's final.
Related: Toronto FC grateful for home field advantage in MLS Cup
Thanks to additional temporary seating and unbelievable on-field drama, BMO Field also stirred up one of the best atmospheres across Major League Soccer. It boasted a record 36,000 people in attendance for the second leg of the conference clash, a crowning achievement after a series of rough spells and renovations.
The newly installed canopy has kept the noise inside the ground, an important factor considering the passion on display in the south end. All of it comes together to create a hostile environment for anyone but the home team.
TFC's tenacity to give Seattle fits
Vanney's switch to a 3-5-2 formation has allowed his players to attack and put pressure on the opposition, and encouraged the full-backs to push forward. It's why a shy right-back like Steven Beitashour had the confidence to set up Benoit Cheyrou's tie-winning header against Montreal last month.
Playing with this system, TFC has clearly cut a more aggressive figure. It's pressing teams and keeping them off balance. And if the Reds can replicate that form, there's no reason why they won't beat the Sounders.
Brian Schmetzer's lot turned around what could've been a lost season by tightening up things at the back and playing as a cohesive unit. Seattle can quickly win back possession, but the task becomes more difficult under pressure. TFC has the personnel and the system required to handcuff one of Seattle's strengths.
The Cascadia outfit tends to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of midfield marshal Osvaldo Alonso. There's an opportunity for players like Will Johnson and Armando Cooper to use their tireless energy reserves, hassle Alonso, and force the Sounders out of position. Movement is the key to victory for Toronto.