'A week I will not forget': Sounders take down Toronto FC for 2nd MLS title

SEATTLE — There was the perfect storm that enabled Sounders FC to host the MLS Cup in the first place. Then there was the 69,274 people on-site for the game at CenturyLink Field — the largest crowd ever for a soccer match in Washington State. It all made for the biggest soccer moment in Seattle history.

And the Sounders seized it.

"This week was a week I will not forget," majority owner Adrian Hanauer said.

After a scoreless first half, Seattle netted three goals in the last 45 minutes en route to a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC Sunday at CenturyLink Field to clinch the 2019 MLS Cup — their second league title in four years.

But a championship in your own city? A rare opportunity, and a sweet one. Nothing more perfect.

"Starting with Toronto knocking off Atlanta (United) and realizing,' holy crap, we're going to host an MLS Cup,'" Hanauer said. "Sport moves communities and brings people together. To see what this group of players, coaches were able to do for this community, for those 69,000 (people), for those hundreds of thousands watching on TV and giant watch parties, it's awesome."

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It was the third time in four seasons that the Sounders clashed with the Reds for the MLS crown, with the clubs splitting the two previous meetings. Seattle won the 2016 matchup in a penalty shootout, and Toronto took the match the following season 2-nil for its first MLS Cup. The 2019 iteration took on its own identity, in the Sounders’ favor.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer, a Seattle native and graduate of Nathan Hale High School, secured his second MLS Cup since taking over the team in 2016 following the departure of legendary coach Sigi Schmid.

"I'm very, very happy and proud of the city and fans," Schmetzer said, getting a bit emotional. "I think every step from here on out, we're going to enjoy this moment. This is something that no one can take away from any of us in this organization."

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Sounders midfielder Victor Rodriguez, named the MLS Cup MVP, essentially clinched the game in the 76th minute, giving Seattle breathing room at 2-nil. After a smooth three-man passing display with teammates Nicolas Lodeiro and Gustav Svensson down the left flank, the Spaniard netted a beautiful right-footed kick home just outside the corner of the box.

Rodriguez, a reserve who's been plagued by injury in his Sounders' tenure, had checked into the game 15 minutes prior to his goal.

"I think I deserved that," Rodriguez said. "Because I've worked a lot, every single day for this moment ... This was a hard season for me because of a lot of injuries ... Sometimes, these things happen. Now, I'm enjoying this moment a lot because I know I deserve that like all my teammates."

Defender Kelvin Leerdam started the scoring surge in the second half. After receiving a pass from striker Raul Ruidiaz, Leerdam took what was perhaps an ill-advised strike near the far-right post, but the ball bounced off a Reds defender and sailed into the back corner of the goal, making it 1-0 Seattle.

Ruidiaz had the third goal, the cherry on top, in the 90 minute. After Svensson blasted a pass down field, Ruidiaz outraced a Reds back for the 50-50 ball, and scored over the outstretched hands of Toronto FC keeper Quentin Westberg.

The Sounders and Reds played to a draw through 45 minutes. Toronto dominated time of possession in the first half, and Sounders goalie Stefan Frei did his part to keep the Reds at bay with a couple saves.

Seattle turned the tables after the break, after being unable to capitalize on eight shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, including two on target.

"The guys were hungry and waiting on top for an opportunity to come their way," Frei said. "I said at halftime, 'Raul (Ruidiaz), you'll get an open look, you'll get it. Don't worry about it.' Low and behold, he had a handful of chances. We end up with three goals. I'm happy with that. Obviously, it helped us win the trophy today."

It was a raucous crowd that took in the championship game at CenturyLink Field Sunday. The 69,274 in the stadium marked the highest-ever attendance for a sporting event at CenturyLink — more than any game for the NFL's high-profile tenants that share the space with the Sounders, the Seattle Seahawks.

"We talked to the league guys who've been doing this for 20 years and have seen all the different forms of this," Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey said. "Seattle, they said, was the most authentic, most vibrant, loudest place they had been. And that's a third party. That says something."

Asked postgame about what winning the MLS Cup in Seattle with the Sounders means to the city, Schmetzer wasn't quite able, or ready, to put words it.

"As far as what it means for the club and the organization and the city and the Pacific Northwest, that's a very big question," Schmetzer said. "I probably don't have enough time to reflect on it right now, but I'll give you that answer in maybe 10 years."

What we do know, at the very least in this point in time, is that the Sounders took hold of the biggest moment for soccer in the history of the city, and made it theirs.

Ben Arthur covers the Seahawks and other local sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.