Major League Soccer will crown its 2010 champions tonight at BMO Field in Toronto, and whether it's FC Dallas or the Colorado Rapids, one team will win its first MLS Cup tonight. For Colorado, it is their second appearance in the final but their first since 1997. Dallas is making their first appearance on the league's biggest stage.
MLS Cup Final, Dallas Vs. Colorado: First Time Champion To Be Crowned In Toronto
SB Nation Soccer will be bringing you live coverage throughout the night, keeping you up to date on all the happenings. Television coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, Galavision, and TSN2. The technophiles amongst us can tune in on ESPN3.com.
Colorado finished seventh overall in the regular season, defeating the Columbus Crew and San Jose Earthquakes to make the final. They are led by Omar Cummings, whose 14 goals tied for fourth most in the regular season. Cummings partners at forward with U.S. international Conor Casey, forming the most formidable striking tandem in MLS.
MLS Cup Preview Content
SB Nation's Soccer Hub has put together a serious of pieces hoping to get you read for tonight's MLS Cup final in Toronto:
- 10 Players to Watch (Farley)
- No DP Will Win MLS Cup, Does It Matter? (Oshan)
- Editors Picks: Dallas Favored, But Barely
- Three Keys To Colorado Success (White)
- Five Things To Watch For (McCauley)
- MLS Cup Final Preview, Colorado (White)
- Colorado, Dallas's Parallel Pasts (Oshan)
- Which Attackers Will Find The Net? (Rosenblatt)
- Three Questions: Big D Soccer For Burgundy Wave
- Three Questions: Burgundy Wave For Big D Soccer
That's not the only tandem of note for the Rapids. Colorado's central midfield duo has been stellar throughout the playoffs, with United States veteran Pablo Mastroeni partnering with MLS stalwart Jeff Larentowicz. They may be outnumbered by a Dallas team that tends to play five in midfield, but with Colorado having drawn Dallas twice in the regular season, the disadvantage has yet to hurt the Rapids.
Dallas finished with the third best record in the regular season and had to beat the league's top two teams to make the final. In the Western Conference semifinals, Dallas beat defending champions Real Salt Lake. Last Sunday, Supporters' Shield winning Los Angeles Galaxy were toppled by Dallas, losing 3-0 at Home Depot Center.
Dallas is led by league Most Valuable Player David Ferreira, who distribution in an attacking midfield role is key to a potent Hoops counterattack. At their best when busting out of their own end, Dallas created match-up problems in transition when opposing defenses try to match-up with the likes of Atiba Harris, Brek Shea and Marvin Chavez.
There are offensive stars on both sides, and with the teams combining for six goals in two regular season meetings, fans are likely to see some open play. But if the match does turn into a slug fest, expected Dallas to have the advantage at the back. Behind a defensive line with no obvious weaknesses, Hoops have one of the league's two best goalkeepers, with Kevin Hartman stellar since his return from a late season injury.
ESPN has brought out he big guns for tonight’s commentary, pulling Ian Darke and Steve McManaman off English Premier League duty to be in Toronto. Whatever they don’t cover we’ll be sure to discuss here, where the SB Nation editors will keep you up today on Major League Soccer’s main event.
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