The Seattle Sounders head into Columbus on Saturday bidding for a second straight MLS Cup triumph and a third in five seasons against a Crew team eager to put turmoil behind them with a first title since 2008.

For both clubs it's the culmination of a season scarred by the coronavirus pandemic, but the Crew's prolific scorer Gyasi Zardes says it's important to stay focused on the nuts and bolts of the final.

"You know, this is the last game of a tiring year," Zardes said. "We've been through so much this year, and it all comes down to this final game.

"We've achieved every single goal that we've set this year and we just have one left. It's just the last game of the year, so we have to give it all we have.

"But at the same time, we can't let emotion drive this game. We have to have the right balance and we have to do what we do best."

Columbus reached the title match with a 1-0 home win over the New England Revolution, with Brazilian midfielder Artur's 59th minute strike delivering the victory.

That put the Crew back in the title match for the first time since 2015. Since then the franchise, a founding member of MLS, has endured a threatened move to Texas -- vociferously protested by Ohio fans -- and an ownership change that now has them poised to take up residence in a new downtown stadium.

Ghanian international Jonathan Mensah, lynchpin of the Crew's formidable defense, says a victory would "mean everything for this club, for this city, the fan base.

"This is the payback we can also give them in return for their massive and incredible job they've done for us to be able to stay in this city."

Although Columbus struggled late in the regular season, they have trailed for just three minutes in the playoffs. The biggest question hanging over them appears to be in goal.

Starter Eloy Room, one of the players sidelined by a positive Covid-19 test, is reportedly cleared to return on Saturday. But backup Andrew Tarbell has kept two clean sheets in his absence and manager Caleb Porter has been coy about which will be in goal.

Seattle are in their fourth MLS Cup in five years by the skin of their teeth.

Gustav Svensson headed in the stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Minnesota United in the Western Conference final, making the Sounders the first MLS playoff team in 18 years to rally from a two-goal deficit to triumph.

Zardes said it will be important to get off to a strong start against a Sounders team that had three players featured in MLS's 2020 Best XI: Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro, winger Jordan Morris and forward Raul Ruidíaz -- the Peruvian international who was named Liga MX's best player in 2017.

"I think it's extremely important to start off on the right foot, because a team like that, obviously they have a lot of experience, especially in big games like this," Zardes said.

"For us to get going early will put us in a great position to win the Cup."