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This month's sport: Socc

All About The MLS Cup

By: Davis H.

                ‘Tis the season for goals and kicks as the Major League Soccer Cup, also known as MLS, is here. On December 9th, the Columbus Crew and Los Angeles FC battled it out at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, with the most fans ever attending a game at that field at 20,802 fans. But what is the MLS Cup, and how did it get started?

                The MLS cup is the MLS championship game that happens every year at the end of the season. The top two team in the MLS playoffs move on to the championship to try and win the MLS Cup. The first MLS Cup was in 1996 between LA Galaxy and D.C. United. The Galaxy where ahead 2-0 at halftime when the United struck back and won it on a corner kick, beating the Galaxy 3-2. Fans went wild and players gathered around to kiss the trophy and hold it up high. It was a memorable moment for everyone. The Seattle Sounders first made their appearance in the MLS cup in 2016 where they beat Toronto FC on penalty kicks 4 to 5. The Sounders have been to the MLS Cup four times, wining their second Cup in 2019 when they again played Toronto, beating them 3 to 1. This author was lucky enough to attend that game, held right here in Seattle!

                Here are some fun facts about the MLS Cup:

  1. The MLS was founded in 1993, leading to the starting of the MLS Cup in 1996.

  2. The playoffs are difficult and there are 13 MLS teams that have never appeared in the MLS Cup, including Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, Chivas USA, Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, CF Montréal, Nashville SC, Orlando City SC, Austin FC, Minnesota United FC, St. Louis City SC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

  3. The Los Angeles Galaxy hold the record for most MLS Cup titles, having won five times in nine appearances.

  4. Seattle has the second highest attendance for an MLS Cup, with 69,274 fans cheering on the Sounders for their 2019 victory.

Now that you know some history on the MLS Cup and some fun facts, be sure to follow the MLS and support your Seattle Sounders. You can stream games live on Apple TV. ‘Tis the season for soccer and Merry Christmas!

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