Who will win the MLS Cup?

Heroics. Heartbreak. One of either Seattle Sounders or Toronto FC lifting the Anschutz Trophy for the 22nd time. This is what the year has been leading up to for soccer fans in America. But who will win the rematch of the 2016 version? Will Seattle repeat as champions? Or will Toronto get revenge and take a first-ever championship to Canada?

For many years, Toronto were the laughingstock of the MLS. Until this season, in fact, they had more last-placed finished then they had playoff appearances. Then, their fortunes changed. General manager Tim Bezbatchenko and head coach Greg Vanney have attracted many big name players since their hiring in 2014, including US men’s national team striker Jozy Altidore and USMNT captain Micheal Bradley. But the biggest move of all has been purchasing midfielder/forward Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus in the 2015 offseason. The “Atomic Ant” became Toronto’s all-time top goalscorer in just three seasons with the clubs, setting the all-time record for most combined goals and assists in one season, as well as winning the MLS MVP, Newcomer of the Year, and MLS Golden Boot award all in his first year up north. With the attacking duo of Giovinco and Altidore, and midfield of Victor Vasquez, Micheal Bradley, and Jonathan Osorio, this team have the potential to go all the way this time.

As for Seattle, they have one ting that Toronto can not say that they have: MLS cup trophies. The Sounders are littered with young talent such as Europe-bound fullback Joevin Jones and midfielder Cristian Roldan, and experienced in the form of attacker Clint Dempsey and goalkeeper Stefan Frei. And manager Brian Schmetzer is one of the best new managers in the MLS, in his first season he replaced Sigi Schmid and inherited the 9th placed team in the Western Conference, he took them to the playoffs and an MLS Cup as the 6th seed. And in his first full year as head coach, he has led the team to another final. But can the green and white repeat their feat from last year and hoist the cup for two years in a row?

Update: Toronto FC defeated Seattle Sounders FC, 2-0, and took home their first-ever MLS title capping off the domestic treble of MLS Supporter’s Shield (MLS-Best regular season record of 69 total points), Canadian Cup, and MLS Cup.