Toronto FC 2 - 0 Seattle Sounders: Jozy Altidore scores as Toronto win MLS crown

Posted Sunday, December 10, 2017 by Skysports.com

Toronto FC 2 - 0 Seattle Sounders: Jozy Altidore scores as Toronto win MLS crown
Michael Bradley lifts the Championship Trophy

A dominant Toronto FC performance gave them first MLS Cup victory after a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders on Saturday night.

In a replay of last year's final, which Seattle won on penalties, Toronto FC controlled the first half, but couldn't find a way past Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who made several good saves.

But former Sunderland and Hull striker Jozy Altidore finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, latching onto Sebastian Giovinco's through ball to strike past Frei from inside the box.

Victor Vazquez rounded off the win from close range in stoppage time (90+4), and the win hands Toronto their first title since forming in 2005, having dominated the Eastern Conference in the regular season.

Giovinco came closest in the first half, seeing his effort when one-on-one with Frei deflect inches wide of the far post, before Frei tipped over Giovinco's turn and shot from the edge of the box.

Frei was at his best again to tip away Victor Vazquez's long-range effort just before the break, and Toronto picked up where they left off in the second half, forcing more saves from Michael Bradley's volley and Giovinco's snapshot from 15 yards.

Altidore opened the scoring midway through the half, but looked to be offside as he was played through on goal by Giovinco, before taking a touch and slotting past Frei.

Seattle finally began to put pressure on late in the game, but Toronto sealed the win on the break, Vazquez bundling home from six yards after Armando Cooper had rounded Frei and hit the post.