Altidore starts, Dempsey gets chance in MLS Cup repeat

Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore overcame an ankle injury to earn a crucial start Saturday and six players from Seattle Sounders' last MLS Cup XI reclaimed their spots in a rematch of the two sides.

Altidore will lead the line with Sebastian Giovinco in an apparent 4-4-2 diamond, with defender Eriq Zavaleta being relegated to the bench in favour of an extra man in midfield.

Clint Dempsey, who missed last year's final due to an irregular heartbeat, will team up with Will Bruin at the tip of the Sounders' attack.

Altidore suffered a blow to his ankle in the second leg of TFC's Eastern Conference final, but went on to score the goal that gave his team a shot at redemption.

Seattle famously won the 2016 MLS Cup at BMO Field despite failing to register a shot on target.

Dempsey is one of several new faces in Seattle's starting XI. Kelvin Leerdam, Gustav Svensson, and Victor Rodriguez - who all joined the Sounders this year - are also fresh to the MLS Cup scene.