The 2016 MLS Cup will be decided on December 10 at BMO Field. Toronto FC will take on the Seattle Sounders at 8:00PM.
Throughout the week leading up to the Cup, TorontoFC.ca will be rolling out a new series called “Tale of the Tape.” The series will highlight a key positional matchup and provide you with analysis of the players. The second entry of the series is on the backline, with veteran MLS defenders Drew Moor and Chad Marshall.
Drew Moor
Drew Moor was drafted by FC Dallas with the 6th overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. He made 128 combined appearances with FC Dallas before being traded to the Colorado Rapids. Moor would go on to make 181 appearances for Colorado across seven seasons, including the last three as captain.
The Reds acquired Moor this past offseason as the club’s first-ever free agent signing. The 32-year-old Texan was brought in to shore up team’s backline and promptly helped the Reds reduce their goals against by 19 from 2015. Moor provided stability for the Reds, making 32 starts, and was also a strong target on set plays, chipping in with three goals.
Moor has continued to lead the backline for the Reds during their 2016 MLS Cup Playoff run. Now patrolling the middle of their favored 3-5-2 formation, Moor has helped the Reds record two clean sheets in the Eastern Conference semifinal series with New York City FC.
Chad Marshall
Chad Marshall has been named the MLS Defender of the Year on three occasions. He is the only player in history to earn the honour three times. Marshall spent the first ten years of his career in Columbus, making 253 appearances for the Black and Gold. The Sounders acquired Marshall in 2013 in a trade with the Crew.
The 6-foot-3 inch Marshall has been a rock for the Sounders since his arrival in the Pacific Northwest. He has made 90 appearances for Seattle across three seasons. A force on set pieces, this year Marshall tallied four goals, equaling his career-best total for a season.
Marshall has carried his strong defensive play into the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs. He has been integral to the Sounders only conceding three goals in their five playoff games.
Who do you think has the edge on the backline? Let us know @TorontoFC on twitter. Tomorrow we will look at the key matchup in the midfield between Michael Bradley and Osvaldo Alonso.
