Behind the Headlines – World Book Student
  • Search

  • Archived Stories

    • Ancient People
    • Animals
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Business & Industry
    • Civil rights
    • Conservation
    • Crime
    • Current Events
    • Current Events Game
    • Disasters
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Food
    • Government & Politics
    • Health
    • History
    • Holidays/Celebrations
    • Law
    • Lesson Plans
    • Literature
    • Medicine
    • Military
    • Military Conflict
    • Natural Disasters
    • People
    • Plants
    • Prehistoric Animals & Plants
    • Race Relations
    • Recreation & Sports
    • Religion
    • Science
    • Space
    • Technology
    • Terrorism
    • Weather
    • Women
    • Working Conditions
  • Archives by Date

« November’s Topaz
Havana 500 »

Seattle Reclaims MLS Cup

November 13, 2019

On Sunday, November 10, the Seattle Sounders FC (Football Club) defeated Toronto FC 3-1 to win the MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup final at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. The 2019 MLS title was the second for the Sounders, who had previously faced Toronto in the MLS Cup final in 2016 (a win) and 2017 (a loss). After a scoreless first half, Seattle thrilled the hometown crowd of 69,724 fans with goals from Kelvin Leerdam, Víctor Rodríguez, and Raúl Ruidíaz. Rodríguez, who entered the game as a substitute in the 61st minute, was named the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The Seattle Sounders including Raul Ruidiaz (9) and Cristian Roldan (7) celebrate Kelvin Leerdams (18) goal during the second half of the Major League Soccer Cup Final between Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.  Credit: © Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

On Nov. 10, 2019, members of the Seattle Sounders celebrate the go-ahead goal scored by Kelvin Leerdam (in the center of the group hug) in the 57th minute of the MLS Cup final at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. Seattle beat Toronto FC 3-1 to win the MLS title. Credit: © Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Toronto—their bright red kits contrasting sharply against Seattle’s “rave green” uniforms—controlled the tempo in the first half and appeared the stronger of the two clubs. Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei proved stingy in the net, however, ruining Toronto’s best scoring opportunities, including a strong hand save in the 36th minute. Seattle missed out on early scoring chances too, but the team finally broke through in the 57th minute when Leerdam’s shot ricocheted off two Toronto defenders and into the net. Rodríguez then entered the game, scoring in the 76th minute. Ruidíaz iced the game with a third Sounders goal before the clock ticked 90:00. Forward Jozy Altidore headed in a late consolation goal for Toronto in stoppage time.

Seattle’s MLS Cup victory capped an exciting season in which the team finished second to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, the Sounders knocked off FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake before shocking LAFC in the conference final, 3-1. Los Angeles had won the Supporters’ Shield as the MLS team with the best regular season record (an outstanding 21-4-9). Toronto finished fourth in the bruising Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the club beat D.C. United, top-seeded New York City FC, and the defending champion Atlanta United FC in the conference final.

Tags: major league soccer, mls, mls cup, seattle sounders fc, soccer, toronto fc, Víctor Rodríguez


  • Most Popular Tags

    african americans ancient greece archaeology art australia barack obama baseball bashar al-assad basketball black history month china climate change conservation earthquake european union football france global warming iraq isis japan language monday literature major league baseball mars mexico monster monday mythic monday mythology nasa new york city nobel prize presidential election russia space space exploration syria syrian civil war Terrorism ukraine united kingdom united states vladimir putin women's history month world war ii