{"id":14903,"date":"2018-05-09T13:09:04","date_gmt":"2018-05-09T17:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonsoccer.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=14903"},"modified":"2018-05-10T01:25:32","modified_gmt":"2018-05-10T05:25:32","slug":"sounders-tfc-mls-cup-rematch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2018\/05\/09\/sounders-tfc-mls-cup-rematch\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto FC-Seattle Sounders: A Not So Simple MLS Cup Rematch"},"content":{"rendered":"

TORONTO, CANADA (May 5, 2018) —<\/strong> The anticipation for this match when MLS rolled out their schedule was through the roof.<\/p>\n

A rematch of the 2017 MLS Cup Championship, the Seattle Sounders are in Toronto gearing up to face Toronto FC.<\/p>\n

This match has championship fever written all over it. In 2016, the Sounders won their first-ever MLS Cup title with a victory over Toronto at BMO Field. However, last year, the Canadians got their revenge, defeating the Sounders on their home field.<\/p>\n

Toronto FC-Seattle Sounders: A Not So Simple MLS Cup Rematch<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Fast forward to the present. The two clubs are nowhere near where they were last year. Struggling has defined both clubs this season, sending them into unfamiliar territory.<\/p>\n

Seattle is currently sitting in last place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Toronto is second-to-last, right above D.C. United, in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n

Despite strong performances in the CONCACAF Champion’s League, Toronto can’t seem to create the magic they had last year. With Seattle, the boiling waters of failure are starting to make heads turn at head coach Brian Schmetzer.<\/p>\n

There’s no doubt here: One club needs a win, and the other will go back to wading in the murky waters at the bottom of their respective table.<\/p>\n

Toronto FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC
\n<\/b>2018 MLS Regular Season
\n<\/b>BMO Field
\n<\/b>May 9, 2018 \u2013 4:30 p.m. PT\/7:30 p.m. ET<\/b>
\n<\/b>Stream: ESPN+<\/b><\/p>\n

What to Watch for<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kim Kee-Hee<\/h3>\n

The Sounders brought in South Korean defender Kim Kee-Hee (who commonly goes by “Kim”) during this offseason. An integral part of South Korea’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Kim battled injury for the first part of this season.<\/p>\n

However, now recovered, Kim made his first start at home for Seattle last weekend against Columbus Crew SC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With the struggles of Rom\u00e1n Torres and Chad Marshall at centerback, Kim is a breath of fresh air. He helped keep Gyasi Zardes scoreless last week<\/a> — which is not an easy task.<\/p>\n

Kim doesn’t have an easy task again this week.<\/p>\n

The defender, should he start, is up against Michael Bradley, Sebastian Giovinco, Jonathan Osorio and V\u00edctor V\u00e1zquez\u00a0this week.<\/p>\n

\n

First home start for @kihee4<\/a>. \ud83d\udc4f #SEAvCLB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wVCKTDORjY<\/a><\/p>\n

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 6, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n