On Saturday night, two teams who have never before played in an MLS Cup will have the chance to lift the trophy for the first time. For the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC, the paths to the Cup have been different. But both teams are a testament to the success of MLS expansion teams and an example of the type of future Orlando City is chasing.
The Seattle Sounders joined MLS in 2009. Similar to Orlando City, the Sounders found an untapped soccer market and immediately benefitted from the city’s desire for a team. The Sounders lead the league in attendance and have made the playoffs every year since their inaugural season. But for their fans and their longtime players, it has been a long road to the MLS Cup. They’ve won four U.S Open Cup titles, they won their first Supporters’ Shield just two years ago-- but they’ve never even competed in an MLS Cup.
Toronto FC joined MLS in 2007 as the league’s first Canadian franchise. Toronto didn’t enjoy the same immediate success as the Sounders-- for them, their entrance to the league and development as a squad was a bit more bumpy. They ranked last in the league during their inaugural season. They made the playoffs for the first time only last season, where they lost their first and only match. Before this season, they had never even won a post-season game.
Now, these two teams are competing for the MLS Cup title.
MLS Cup Preview: A First Time Champion Will Be Crowned
Their progress shows different paths to the Cup. Even with their early success, the Sounders had to wait eight years for a shot at the MLS Cup. Sometimes changes need to be made to achieve that ultimate goal, whether these changes are as major as bringing in a new head coach or minor changes such as adjustments in training. As for Toronto FC, they show the benefits of building a team over a long period of time. They brought in talented Designated Players-- Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Sebastian Giovinco-- and used them to build a team filled with MLS veterans and domestic players.
Orlando City has had a mixed experience entering the league. After only two seasons, Orlando City is building a new, soccer-specific stadium and has been listed as the fifth most valuable franchise in MLS. While Orlando City hasn’t made the playoffs in their first two years, a new head coach and some roster changes will have them right back in that picture.
Clubs like Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders are proof that success lies ahead. Both teams needed time to reach their potential-- but now that they’re here, they don’t intend go backwards.
For one team on Saturday night, the MLS Cup will end in disappointment. Despite their post-season success, they’ll go back to the drawing board with the same thought that all MLS teams, including Orlando City, are thinking.
Time to prepare for 2017.
