2017 MLS Cup Media Road Map

TORONTO -
An MLS champion will be crowned on Saturday, December 9, when Toronto FC host defending champions Seattle Sounders FC in the 2017 MLS Cup at BMO Field (4 p.m. ET, ESPN, UniMás, TSN, TVA Sports) – a rematch of last year’s championship. Toronto looks to add to an already well-accomplished 2017 that has featured a record-breaking 69 points during the regular season to earn the Supporters’ Shield, a second straight Canadian Championship and now a second consecutive trip to MLS Cup. Seattle will attempt to become the fourth organization to earn back-to-back MLS Cup crowns, heading into the final without conceding a goal throughout the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
A week’s worth of events will be held in Toronto leading up to the championship match, providing numerous media opportunities.
A further look into all the MLS Cup week of events (all times ET/local):
MEDIA EVENTS FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5
2017 MLS CUP TELECONFERENCE
From 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Eastern Conference champions Toronto FC and Western Conference champions Seattle Sounders FC will be available via teleconference to preview the 2017 MLS Cup. Toronto head coach Greg Vanney and a player will be available from 1:30-2 p.m., followed by Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer and a Sounders player from 2-2:30 p.m. Media access is available through the below dial-in information.
WHEN:                  Tuesday, December 5
                 1:30-2:30 p.m.
HOW:     
                MLS Communications
DIAL-IN: 
               1-877-391-5953 (U.S. and Canada); 1-706-679-8513 (international)
                              Conference ID: 9596358
MEDIA EVENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
media accreditation pick-up is open from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Westin Harbour Castle - Mizzen Restaurant
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
TORONTO FC TRAINING & MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Toronto FC will host an open training session at the Kia Training Ground from 10:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m., with a 30-minute window of media availability immediately following from 12:20-12:50 p.m. Toronto head coach Greg Vanney and all players will be accessible for interviews during this time.
WHEN:                  Wednesday, December 6
                 10:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.          Toronto FC Open Training Session
                 12:20-12:50 p.m.                   Toronto FC Media Availability
WHERE: 
 Kia Training Ground | 85 Carl Hall Road | Toronto, ON M2K 2B9
Media to park free at The Hangar, 75 Carl Hall Road
HOW: 
Contact Toronto FC Communications & MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
MMasaro@TorontoFC.ca
;
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ARRIVAL & MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Seattle Sounders FC will arrive to Toronto and be available for a 30-minute window of media availability upon arrival to the team hotel, estimated to be 9 p.m. at Delta Toronto Hotel. Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer and Seattle players will be accessible for interviews during this time.
WHEN:                   Wednesday, December 6
                  Starting at approx. 9 p.m.          Seattle Media Availability
WHERE: 
Delta Toronto Hotel | 75 Lower Simcoe St. | Toronto, ON M5J 3A6
HOW: 
Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT:
AlexC@SoundersFC.com
;
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
MEDIA EVENTS FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
media accreditation pick-up is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Westin Harbour Castle - Mizzen Restaurant
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
MLS CUP MEDIA CENTER AT THE HANGAR
The Hangar located adjacent to the KIA Training Grounds, 75 Carl Hall Road, in Toronto, will serve as the MLS Cup Media Center on Thursday and be open to media starting at 9 a.m. The Hangar also is the location of the joint MLS Cup Team Press Conference from 1-2 p.m., which is mapped out in detail below.
Please note working spaces, Internet and lunch will be provided throughout the day at The Hangar.
WHEN: 
Thursday, December 7
                  Starting at 9 a.m.
WHERE: 
The Hangar (adjacent to the KIA Training Grounds) | 75 Carl Hall Road | Toronto, ON M3K 2B9
                Shuttle service will be available to and from the Kia Training Ground:
                85 Carl Hall Road, Toronto, ON M2K 2B9
HOW: 
Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT:  
MMasaro@TorontoFC.ca
; 
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
TORONTO FC TRAINING & MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Toronto FC will host a training session and media availability starting at 10:30 a.m. Toronto FC players will be accessible for interviews.
WHEN:                  Thursday, December 7
                 10:30 a.m.                           Toronto FC Training / Media Availability
WHERE: 
Kia Training Ground | 85 Carl Hall Road | Toronto, ON M2K 2B9
Media to park free at The Hangar; shuttles available between the Hangar and Kia throughout the day


HOW: 
Contact Toronto FC Communications and MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
MMasaro@TorontoFC.ca
;
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
MLS CUP TEAM PRESS CONFERENCE
The 2017 MLS Cup joint team press conference is scheduled from 1-2:30 p.m. at The Hangar, adjacent to the Kia Training Ground. Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney and TFC players and Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer and Sounders players will take part in this event. TFC's press conference runs from 1-1:30 p.m. and Seattle's from 2-2:30 p.m. Please note that shuttle service will be available to and from Kia if needed to transport media members.
WHEN:    
Thursday, December 7
                  1-2:30 p.m. (Toronto from 1-1:30 p.m.; Seattle from 2-2:30 p.m.)
WHERE: 
The Hangar (adjacent to the KIA Training Grounds) | 75 Carl Hall Road | Toronto, ON M3K 2B9
                Shuttle service will be available to and from the Kia Training Ground:
                85 Carl Hall Road, Toronto, ON M2K 2B9
HOW: 
Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
Christa.Mann@MLSsoccer.com
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC TRAINING & MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Seattle Sounders FC will hold a training session and media availability at the Kia Training Ground starting at 2:45 p.m. Sounders players will be accessible for interviews during this time.
WHEN: 
Thursday, December 7
                  2:45 p.m.                            Seattle Training Session / Media Availability
WHERE: 
Kia Training Ground | 85 Carl Hall Road | Toronto, ON M2K 2B9
Media to park free at The Hangar; shuttles available between the Hangar and Kia throughout the day
HOW: 
Contact Seattle Sounders FC Communications and MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
AlexC@SoundersFC.com
;
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
MLS WORKS/TORONTO FC COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT & DEDICATION CEREMONY
Ahead of this weekend’s 2017 MLS Cup, MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, and Toronto FC have teamed up with WoodGreen Community Services to renovate a multi-purpose space within their facility. Toronto FC players and executives will join MLS executives in unveiling this dedicated space to the local community. MLS WORKS and Toronto FC will also donate winter clothing to residents in need. Toronto FC players and representatives will be part of the unveil and available for media.
WHEN: 
Thursday, December 7
                  5-6 p.m.
WHERE: 
WoodGreen Community Services | 815 Danforth Ave., #100 | Toronto, ON M4J 1L2
HOW: 
Media planning to attend must RSVP to MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
Molly.Dreska@MLSsoccer.com
MLS MEDIA MIXER
Major League Soccer invites media in Toronto covering MLS Cup to attend a media mixer hosted by MLS Communications at Real Sports Bar & Grill from 7-10 p.m. The 25,000-square-foot venue is in the heart of the city’s sports and entertainment district, located beside Air Canada Centre. Media interested in attending must RSVP via email to
Paola.Garcia@MLSsoccer.com
. Please be prepared to show your MLS Cup credential for entry.
WHEN:
Thursday, December 7
                  7-10 p.m.
WHERE: 
                Real Sports Bar & Grill | 15 York St. | Toronto, ON M5J 2Z2
HOW:
                     Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT:  
Paola.Garcia@MLSsoccer.com
MEDIA EVENTS FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
media accreditation pick-up is open from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Westin Harbour Castle - Mizzen Restaurant
1 Harbour Square Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
BMO FIELD/MLS CUP MEDIA CENTER
BMO Field’s MLS Cup Media Center will be open to media starting at 9 a.m. as Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders FC prepare for their final training sessions prior to 2017 MLS Cup.
Please note working spaces, Internet and lunch will be provided throughout the day at the Media Center.
WHEN:  
Friday, December 8
                  Starting at 9 a.m.
WHERE: 
                BMO Field – Media Gate | 170 Princes' Blvd. | Toronto, ON M6K 3C3


                               Parking passes available upon request
HOW:  
                   Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC TRAINING & MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Seattle Sounders FC will hold their final training session of the 2017 season, as well as media availability with Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer and Seattle players. The session begins at 10 a.m.
WHEN: 
Friday, December 8
                 Starting at 10 a.m.                 Seattle Training Session and Media Availability
WHERE: 
                BMO Field | 170 Princes' Blvd. | Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
HOW:  
                   Contact Seattle Sounders FC Communications and MLS Communications
CONTACT:  
AlexC@SoundersFC.com
;
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
TORONTO FC TRAINING & MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Toronto FC will host a training session at BMO Field and media availability with head coach Greg Vanney and TFC players, starting at 12:30 p.m.
WHEN: 
 Friday, December 8
                Starting at 11:30 a.m.               Toronto FC Training Session and Media Availability
WHERE: 
                BMO Field | 170 Princes' Blvd. | Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
Parking passes available upon request
                               Media shuttle transportation available from BMO to Westin Harbour Castle for MLS State of the League
HOW: 
                    Contact Toronto FC Communications and MLS Communications
CONTACT:  
MMasaro@TorontoFC.ca
;
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
;
Irene.Gutierrez@gmail.com
MLS COMMISSIONER DON GARBER DELIVERS THE 2017 MLS STATE OF THE LEAGUE ADDRESS
MLS Commissioner Don Garber will deliver the State of the League Address at the Westin Harbour Castle beginning at 4 p.m. and will field questions from media throughout the course of the address and presentation. A credential is required for all attending media.
WHEN: 
                  Friday, December 8
                  3:30 p.m.
WHERE: 
                Westin Harbour Castle – Harbour Ballroom C | 1 Harbour Square | Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
HOW:  
                   Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT:  
Christa.Mann@MLSsoccer.com
;
Marisabel.Munoz@MLSsoccer.com
MEDIA EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
UNITED WORLD CUP BID PRESENTATION
Canadian Soccer Association President
Steve Reed
, Mexican Football Federation President
Decio de Maria
, U.S. Soccer Federation President
Sunil Gulati
and Executive Director of the United Bid
John Kristick
will provide an update on the United Bid and efforts by the three neighboring countries to host 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The event will be held at the Westin Harbour Castle beginning at 10:30 a.m. After brief remarks, the bid leadership will field questions from media. An MLS Cup credential or media outlet photo identification is required for all attending media.
WHEN:  
Saturday, December 9
                  10:30 a.m.
WHERE: 
                Westin Harbour Castle – Harbour Ballroom C | 1 Harbour Square | Toronto, ON M5J 1A6
HOW:  
                   Contact MLS Communications
CONTACT: 
Gabriel.Gabor@MLSsoccer.com
media gate (west side, near Gate 5) opens at 1 p.m.
BMO Field
170 Princes' Blvd Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
MLS Communications Contacts: Irene Gutierrez –
Irene.D.Gutierrez@gmail.com
; Charlie Corr –
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
media accreditation pick-up from 9 a.m.-halftime
170 Princes' Blvd Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
MLS Communications Contact: Olivia Cervantes –
ocervantes18@yahoo.com
2017 MLS CUP
MLS Eastern Conference Champions Toronto FC will host Seattle Sounders FC, the MLS Western Conference Champions, at BMO Field on Saturday, December 9 at 4 p.m. ET for 2017 MLS Cup. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET. Following the match will be a post-game ceremony, post-game press conference and media availability.
WHEN:  
                 4 p.m. ET
WHO:
                    Toronto FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC
WHAT: 
                  2017 MLS Cup
WHERE:
                 BMO Field | 170 Princes' Blvd. | Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
MLS Communications Contacts: Irene Gutierrez – 
Irene.D.Gutierrez@gmail.com
; Charlie Corr – 
Charlie.Corr@MLSsoccer.com
COMMUNICATIONS CONTACTS