The 20th season of Major League Soccer arrives at a dramatic climax on Saturday when the Seattle Sounders face the attacking juggernaut that is Toronto FC at BMO Field. For the neutral, this should be an absorbing encounter as it features two talented, physical squads who love to go forward and exploit defensive frailties. The fact that both will take part in an MLS Cup final for the very first time suggests that the atmosphere inside the stadium will be nothing short of electric.

With all due respect to both clubs, it would be fair to say that this was not exactly the final we were all expecting. In the Eastern Conference, despite the fact that Toronto finished third in the regular season, it took a 3-2 victory against Chicago on Decision Day to snap a five-match winless run. Add to the fact that they were entering the postseason for only the second time in their history, not many believed that they could overcome their lack of experience in the play-offs.



In the West, all we have to do is rewind back to the end of summer and any Seattle supporter would have laughed at the thought of their team making it to MLS Cup. By the end of July, the Sounders had only 20 points from 20 matches and the postseason seemed almost impossible. Consequently, Sigi Schmidt left his head coaching role and was replaced by Brian Schmetzer, a popular pick amongst the fans, hoping that fortunes would change. And did they ever.



Regardless of the outcome, Saturday’s final and it’s two contenders confirm that in order to build a championship-winning squad in this league you must think beyond the needs of a seven-month season and understand what it takes to succeed in a knock-out format. Basically, a club (much like an NFL team) has to become Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and adopt a character with two identities: one for the regular season and one for the playoffs:



The regular-season team should focus on consistency, staying healthy and prioritizing weaknesses over strength. The goal is to make it to the playoffs, seeding is inconsequential.

The play-off team is a different animal, focusing on offense, making the most out of what you have left from the regular season and prioritizing strengths over weaknesses. The goal is to minimize reckless play and be open to flexibility: the style of soccer doesn’t have to be pretty, as long as we win.



In addition, a successful team should prioritize team chemistry as players require a strong relationship on and off the field – togetherness, therefore, should never be underestimated. Both Toronto and Seattle have strong, tight-knit units, where players understand each other on and off the pitch, but what’s more important is that in the knock-out stages, togetherness is a valuable tool when your team plays away from home. I was present during Toronto’s 5-0 annihilation of NYCFC on 6 November at Yankee Stadium and one thing that was very clear was how the visitors played as if they were the home team. They were completely in sync. The same with Seattle against Colorado in the conference finals, where the Sounders defeated the Rapids, 1-0. Up to that point, Colorado had not lost a single match at home the entire year. Soccer, more so than any other sport, relies on team cohesion, and this is especially true when it’s a win-or-go-home situation.



Star players such as Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro are undoubtedly crucial parts of the puzzle, but their talents would be wasted if they didn’t have those unsung heroes who can complement their abilities. The defensive midfield role, then, is key, as it not only allows more freedom to the forward line but it adds a supply of support to the back.

For every Messi, you need a Sergio Busquets.



Michael Bradley and Osvaldo Alonso are most definitely not Busquets, but the one thing they have given throughout this campaign is tranquility in the middle.



No matter how good your club is, however, and how much momentum they carry through the latter stages of a season, let’s never disregard the importance of a team’s relationship with its supporters. A successful MLS team builds a distinct bond with its fanbase and through this relationship, the club identity is born.



Both Toronto and Seattle can feel safe that their fanbases are two of the most passionate in the league, which gives the Canadians an edge this Saturday as they’ll be playing at BMO Field. In the league’s history, home teams have a 5-2 advantage when playing in their own stadium. But given the improbable outcome of this season, nothing is really certain and the only thing that we can be sure of is that this will be one hell of a final.