Anyone who’s attended a good ol’ MLS Cup in December has their favorite moments of lore. Many of us who attended last year’s final at BMO Field are probably still getting rid of that body chill – just in time, potentially, for another go-‘round.
Toronto FC just set a league-leading record for points in a season, but it’s not technically set in stone that they’ll host. They'll need to beat Crew SC in the Eastern Conference to do it again.
As a reminder, here’s how the MLS Cup hosting process works: In a nutshell, the team with the most regular-season points hosts. If the two teams in the final have an equal number of points, the team with the higher number of wins hosts – and with wins tied, it goes to goal differential.
Here's the result of the poll we conducted prior to the start of the playoffs and the potential remaining matchups in the final:
Which city would you like to see host MLS Cup?
Toronto - BMO Field
Atmosphere: One word, or rather sound: brrrrrrr. That’s for the weather, alone, though. In the stands, the fans proved fiery during last year’s MLS Cup final despite the frigid temperatures, with mass singing and bouncing that had the seats shaking. Just pack layers, visitors.
Previous MLS Cup finals hosted: TOR v SEA in 2016 (0-0, SEA won 5-4 on PKs); DAL v. COL in 2010 (2-1 COL)
Potential MLS Cup match-ups: TOR-HOU, TOR-SEA
Potential Temperature:According to weather.com, the average temperature on Dec. 9 historically is a high of 38°F, low of 24°F
Columbus - MAPFRE Stadium
Atmosphere: This stalwart on the North American soccer scene has hosted two Cup finals, most recently for Crew SC themselves vs. Portland in 2015, where a final 2-1 scoreline for the Timbers made for a tough twist of fate for the home team. Now, with plenty of drama ensnaring the team off the field, a run to the final would make for a loud, proud stadium rightfully cheering on the home team's impressive 2017 performance.
Previous MLS Cup finals hosted: CLB v. POR, 2015 (2-1 POR); LA v. SJ, 2001 (2-1 SJ)
Potential MLS Cup match-ups: CLB-HOU, CLB-SEA
Potential Temperature:High of 46°F, low of 27°F
