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Crew SC sub

Diaz is replaced by Waylon Francis

December 12, 2020 10:13 PM ET

Crew SC sub

In the midst of pandemonium here at MAPFRE, Columbus made a sub and just made another. 

1.) Etienne Jr was replaced by Hector Jimenez

2.) Artur replaced by Fatai Alashe

December 12, 2020 10:11 PM ET

82' GOAL COLUMBUS!

It's a brace from Zelarayan! Could Seattle be dethroned tonight?! 

December 12, 2020 10:08 PM ET

SAVE BY ROOM

Eloy Room does his best Stefan Frei impression with a one hand save to deny a potential Sounders goal!

December 12, 2020 10:04 PM ET

78' Last sub for Seattle

December 12, 2020 10:03 PM ET

15 minutes remain

15 minutes until glory for Columbus. Crew are on a corner but nothing comes of it. Goal kick Sounders. 

December 12, 2020 10:00 PM ET

So close!

Nico almost finds the far post for a Sounders goal but it's wide of the target. 

December 12, 2020 9:55 PM ET

Jordan Morris

Morris is not having his best game so far. It's clear and evident. 

December 12, 2020 9:50 PM ET

Another double Seattle sub

December 12, 2020 9:45 PM ET

Tempers rising for Seattle

Emotions are getting the best of the reigning MLS Cup champions. Columbus is visibly getting under their skin. 57th minute, score remains 2-0. 

December 12, 2020 9:40 PM ET

51' Seattle corner kick

Seattle awarded a corner kick. Cristian Roldan gets a head to it but it just misses the top corner of the net. 

December 12, 2020 9:35 PM ET

Double subs for Seattle

Seattle make two subs coming out of the half. Also, things are starting to get tense.

December 12, 2020 9:33 PM ET

45' Second half underway

The second half from MAPFRE Stadium is underway! This is an exciting MLS Cup!

December 12, 2020 9:29 PM ET

HT: Columbus 2-0 Seattle

What a half by Columbus! Goals by Zelarayan and Etienne Jr. are the difference makers. A great second half Sounders side and 45 minutes stand in the way of Columbus hoisting their second MLS Cup in franchise history. 

December 12, 2020 9:22 PM ET

45' One minute added time

One minute of added time to the first half. Score still 2-0 Columbus. 

December 12, 2020 9:12 PM ET

WOW!

Not gonna lie, I did not expect this start from Columbus. This is remarkable!

December 12, 2020 9:08 PM ET

28' Yellow Card Seattle

Joao Paulo is issued the first booking of the night. 

December 12, 2020 8:54 PM ET

25' CREW GOAL!

Columbus score first with a Zelarayan shot that just sneaks past Frei!

December 12, 2020 8:51 PM ET

16' Corner kick Columbus

Columbus has been holding this game. Really taking control as they get another corner. On that kick, multiple chances but Stefan Frei comes up with a huge save to keep it scoreless. 

December 12, 2020 8:44 PM ET

13' Free kick Columbus

Columbus are knocking on the doorstep and have earned a free kick. 

December 12, 2020 8:39 PM ET

Back in business

Sorry folks! Technical difficulties but I should be good now! Columbus have had a few corner kicks within the first 10 minutes of this match. Almost exactly the way they started against the Revolution this past Sunday. 

December 12, 2020 8:38 PM ET

Teams have entered

Both teams and officials have entered the field. National Anthem coming next. 

December 12, 2020 8:21 PM ET

Almost game time!

It's almost game time! Let's hear some score predictions! Shoot me your scoreline on Twitter (@MRTylerF) for a chance to get your tweet featured here!

December 12, 2020 8:16 PM ET

Columbus Crew starting line-up

The starting XI for the home side of Columbus Crew SC.

December 12, 2020 8:01 PM ET

It's cold.

I mentioned it before, but man it's cold. I should have brought gloves. 

December 12, 2020 7:56 PM ET

New England supports Columbus

Even New England fans want Columbus to win! S/o to the #SaveTheCrew movement!

December 12, 2020 7:51 PM ET

Greetings!

Greetings from a bitter cold MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio! I'm settled in my seat and eager to start dissecting MLS Cup 2020 between Columbus Crew SC and the Seattle Sounders!

December 12, 2020 7:41 PM ET

Rise and shine!

Goooooddddd morning MLS fans! Today is the day that we have all been waiting for! MLS CUP FINAL! Again, my name is Tyler Fisher and I'll be your guide throughout all the events taking place here in Columbus, Ohio! 

December 12, 2020 7:21 PM ET

Stay tuned to VAVEL for Columbus Crew vs Seattle Sounders Live!

Stay tuned for the 2020 MLS Cup Final with me, Tyler Fisher!

December 12, 2020 7:16 PM ET

Crew SC win MLS Cup 2020!

Sure, Columbus may be down two influential players, but that doesn't mean that they're out. Columbus has been down key guys all season and have overcome the adversity and tribulations that came with it. So, Caleb will have his guys primed and ready. On the other hand, Seattle is just a monster. Featuring in four of the last five MLS Cup finals, the Rave Green Sounders are looking to cement themselves as the best of the best and be on track for most MLS Cups behind D.C. United (four) and the LA Galaxy (five). This is a final you will not want to miss, and that's why I'm missing Seattle win their third cup and having Columbus close out a great season with a 3-1 win after extra time to secure MLS Cup 2020 on home turf. 

December 12, 2020 7:11 PM ET

My final prediction

Now, for one last time, my prediction.

December 12, 2020 7:06 PM ET

Crew projected roster

Now let's take a look at the home side Columbus Crew. Columbus is led by Caleb Porter and will look to also line-up in a 4-2-3-1. 

Room; Valenzuela--Williams-- Mensah (c)-- Afful; Artur -- Alsahe; Diaz -- Zelarayan -- Etienne Jr.; Zardes. 

December 12, 2020 7:01 PM ET

Sounders projected roster

Seattle Sounders are led by Brian Schmetzer and will look to line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Frei; Roldan--Gomez--O'Neill--Nouhou; Roldan--Paulo; Jones--Lodeiro (c)--Morris; Ruidiaz

December 12, 2020 6:56 PM ET

Line-up time!

Now that I have you all caught up and ready to run through a brick wall for this match, let's take a look at the projected roster's for both teams. We'll start with the road team first. 

December 12, 2020 6:51 PM ET

Repeat of 2015?

Columbus fans en masse had an uproar when they learned about the officiating crew of this historic match. Why you may ask? Center official Jair Marruffo and assistant referee Cory Parker are the same individuals that blew a missed throw-in call for Columbus during the 2015 MLS Cup, resulting in a Timbers goal just nine-seconds later. Needless to say, Columbus fans are not happy with the league, let alone the Professional Referee Organization (PRO).

December 12, 2020 6:46 PM ET

Sigi Schmid impact

Schmid was fortunate enough to coach both sides, winning the 2008 MLS Cup with Columbus before helping launch the existence of Seattle Sounders in 2009 by becoming their head coach. Schmid passed away in December of 2018 at the age of 65, but both fans alike can agree that Schmid would be as neutral as they come if he were to be in attendance for this match. You can read more about Sigi on Sounder At Heart and Massive Report. 

December 12, 2020 6:41 PM ET

Common thread between both clubs

Now, both teams share one common thread. It's not a what or a where, it's a who. And that who is Sigi Schmid.

December 12, 2020 6:36 PM ET

Schmetzer on changing gameplan cont.

Schmetzer goes on to say, "Again, it's sad that those guys cannot feature in the match. We certainly will try and take advantage of that wherever we can. But it's not like we are going to change drastically what we do." 

December 12, 2020 6:31 PM ET

Schmetzer on changing gameplan

When asked if losing those two players would affect the gameplan, Schmetzer went on to say, "Soccer is a team sport. Those are two super talented players. Caleb is going to put two other talented players on the field in their place. He still has the advantage of being at home."

December 12, 2020 6:26 PM ET

Porter on missing Nagbe, Santos

"I found out yesterday actually right in the middle of training that our second player of the week I won't tell you the order it happened, there's no reason to, but obviously losing Pedro and Darlington, we lost one of those two early in the week. We had a positive test. Then we had two straight days of all negatives. We had another positive that popped up. I learned that in the middle of training yesterday," said Head Coach Caleb Porter. 

December 12, 2020 6:21 PM ET

Columbus down two key players

Columbus took a huge blow this week, losing two key players in Darlington Nagbe and Pedro Santos who both tested positive for COVID-19. Both have been medically not cleared to play and will miss the MLS Cup Final.

December 12, 2020 6:16 PM ET

Payback to the city of Columbus

Captain Jonathan Mensah said in his press availability, "This is the payback we can also give them in return for the massive and incredible job they've done for us to be able to stay in this city." Not only is this payback to the fans, but it also is special if they can win the cup to close out one last MLS Cup Final match at MAPFRE Stadium before relocating to their new Downtown Columbus stadium in July of next year. 

December 12, 2020 6:11 PM ET

2015 MLS Cup

The last time Columbus hosted MLS Cup Final, they were defeated by the Portland Timbers 2-1. However, in a weird year, the Crew are looking to repay their loyal fanbase with a championship after the grassroots movement #SaveTheCrew was able to prevent former ownership from relocating the first MLS franchise to Austin, Texas.

December 12, 2020 6:06 PM ET

Crew roll past Revolution in ECF

Just this past Sunday, Columbus hosted Bruce Arena and the New England Revolution. After a scoreless first half, midfielder Artur became the hero in the 60th minute with his third goal of the year to give Columbus the Eastern Conference title and the right to host MLS Cup.

December 12, 2020 6:01 PM ET

Crew regular season + Playoffs

The Black & Gold finished in third place in the Eastern Conference. They maneuvered their way through the playoffs, dismantling the New York Red Bulls 3-2 before moving on to newly minted Nashville SC. Columbus would win that match 2-0 after extra time to secure their spot in the Eastern Conference championship. 

December 12, 2020 5:56 PM ET

How did Columbus get here?

Now, let's take a look at Columbus Crew. 

December 12, 2020 5:51 PM ET

Are the Sounders a dynasty?

Of course, Seattle is making themselves known in the league. But, do they consider themselves a dynasty? Schmetzer goes on to say, "I wouldn't put us into the dynasty until we win a couple more. We're Storm-chasers' if you want something cute," about Seattle's WNBA team winning another championship. 

December 12, 2020 5:46 PM ET

Different look for Seattle in MLS Cup Final

This is Seattle's fourth trip to the MLS Cup, the previous three times facing off against Toronto FC in which they won two of those three meetings. When asked if it felt different, Head Coach Brian Schmetzer exclaimed "It's miles different. Number one, we're not playing Toronto. Number two, the COVID situation in this country has thrown everyday Americans for a loop." 

December 12, 2020 5:41 PM ET

The remarkable comeback against Minnesota United FC

Minnesota would go up 2-0, practically putting Seattle's chances of making MLS Cup final in doubt. But it was Will Bruin who started the milestone comeback for the Sounders, pulling Seattle within one. Raul Ruidiaz would tie the game, having fans of both teams on edge. With 20 seconds left in the second-half stoppage time, Ruidiaz found the head of Gustav Svensson who was able to head home the corner kick, ultimately giving Seattle a 3-2 lead and the Western Conference title.

December 12, 2020 5:36 PM ET

Sounders regular season + Playoffs

Seattle finished the weird, obscure season in second place in the Western Conference with an 11-5-6 record. The Sounders defeated Carlos Vela and LAFC in the first round, advancing to the Western Semis where they faced off against FC Dallas. After handling business against the Frisco, Texas side Seattle had to face a very tough Minnesota United side. 

December 12, 2020 5:31 PM ET

How did Seattle get here?

Taking a look at both teams and some details off the field, let's see how they got here starting with the traveling Sounders.

December 12, 2020 5:26 PM ET

Welcome to the match Columbus Crew vs Seattle Sounders Latest Info!

Hello and welcome to VAVEL USA's coverage of the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Final between Western Conference Champion Seattle Sounders and the Eastern Conference Champion and host Columbus Crew! My name is Tyler Fisher and I am bringing you minute by minute, score updates, and analysis from a wet and soggy MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. So stay tuned to VAVEL USA for updates from pre-game to post-game!

December 12, 2020 5:21 PM ET
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