Toronto FC bandwagon fans, here's your guide to MLS Cup

Toronto FC takes its shot at the Major League Soccer championship on Saturday, and that rumbling roar you hear in the city is thousands of fans jumping on the bandwagon.

If you're just getting started — even if you're one of those Torontonians who think MLS is only a real estate thing — here's a guide to the big game and how to sound smart while you're watching Toronto soccer history unfold.

Above all, know this: Toronto FC is playing in its first championship game ever. The team may enter the game as favourites, but after years of misery and heartbreak, true fans won't be able to relax until the team is lifting the MLS Cup. Whatever you do, don't jinx this.

Now that we have that covered, let's go over the basics, shall we?

- Toronto battles the Seattle Sounders FC at BMO Field on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in a winner-take-all finale.

- Can I get tickets? Probably not, they sold out in three minutes.

- What do I call the team? Toronto FC. TFC. The Reds. Practise yelling this sentence: "Come on, you Reds!" to fit in. Oh, and FC stands for Football Club, obviously.

There are several big storylines heading into the game, and the safest one for non-footie people is, of course, the weather. Environment Canada is predicting it could be between –1 and –5 C at game time, and there could be snow, too.

"I'm hoping that it will warm up a little bit," TFC Head Coach Greg Vanney told reporters this week.

Good thing scarves are part of nearly every fan's attire.

Some fans actually think the sub-zero temperature could benefit TFC, which has eight players from the GTA, plus one from Edmonton.

Who are TFC's best players?

Sebastian Giovinco: Don't take your eyes off this Italian forward (striker), who scored 17 goals and had 15 assists this season. He's nicknamed the "Atomic Ant" because of his height, five foot three.

Jozy Altidore: The American forward is all power and has been red-hot in the playoffs so far. Quote from the commentator after he scored against Montreal: "He can't stop scoring right now."

Michael Bradley: The midfielder, also from the U.S., is the team's captain, a title he takes seriously. "Being captain or a big player on a team in this city carries extra weight and responsibility. And I've loved every second of that," he told reporters earlier in the playoff run.

What Seattle players should we fear, or, you know, boo?

TFC fans are worried about the offensive prowess of Nicolás Lodeiro, a Uruguayan midfielder. Meanwhile, Jordan Morris, a young American, has been dubbed "Stanford Messi" — a nod to his alma mater and Lionel Messi, one of the world's best players.

Stefan Frei, Seattle's goalkeeper (just say "keeper," if you want to sound more like a footie fan), may avoid the fans' wrath because he spent five years with TFC.

Speed round, for soccer newbies ​

- Both teams get 10 players — arranged however the coach likes — plus a keeper.

- There are three substitutions per game.

- How long is this game? It's 90 minutes, divided into two 45-minute halves.

- What's injury time? The refs clock every game stoppage and add that time (roughly) to the end of each half.

- Yellow card? Player gets a warning. Red card? Player gets ejected and not replaced.

- How far do these guys run? Most players cover an estimated 11-15 kilometres each game.

Chant along with the faithful

Soccer fans around the world have their own special chants, and TFC is no exception. Most, like Marching In, go along with classic tunes. Luckily, the Red Patch Boys club, has some recordings.

Dichio 24, however, is a specific honour for former TFC forward Danny Dichio who scored the club's first-ever goal in Toronto.

So now you're ready. Whether you're one of the 30,000 fans crammed into BMO Field or you're watching the game at home, hold those scarves high and enjoy the final.