Article by Matt Lichtenstadter
Despite delays due to football games and misdrawn lines, MLS’ conference finals at long last got underway last night, and the games were certainly worth the wait. Big crowds, big names and big goals were all part of the fun, and unlike in the conference semis, when many of the ties seemed to be out of reach by the return leg, these two ties are finely poised for the second legs next week. Let’s take an in-depth look at both games and see why these ties are so primed for fantastic finishes.
Toronto FC Leaves it Late, but got what they Came For: For about 60 minutes, it looked like the Montreal Impact might run rings around Toronto FC as they did in the playoffs last year. Two goals in two minutes from Oduro and Mancosu certainly proved why Montreal’s counterattack is so deadly, and some “vintage” TFC defending allowed Ambroise Oyongo to notch a third for Montreal, by which point it looked like the tie was over. But not only is this a do-or-die series, it’s a rivalry, and in derbies, crazy things are often the norm.
Thanks to some astute substitutions from Greg Vanney, Toronto FC was freed up to attack more and with Jozy Altidore on form, he drove his team forward and scored the first goal, and helped set up Bradley’s goal, the second for TFC. From about minute 60 on after the changes were made, there weren’t the major holes at the back that Montreal exploited so easily early on in the match, and going forward Tosaint Ricketts allowed another outlet up top and pushed Sebastian Giovinco back into midfield, where he’s certainly better anyway. With those two away goals, Toronto FC has a very good chance of advancing when they host the second leg on November 30. Montreal can score, but if TFC can find two goals and Montreal only scores one, they advance on away goals.
The tie is finely poised, and with how open the first leg was, it stands to reason the second leg will be just as open and expansive.
Seattle Holds Slender Advantage: The second game of the night pitted defensively stout Colorado against surging Seattle, and early on it seemed the Rapids would perform one of their classic smash-and-grabs. An early goal from Kevin Doyle gave Colorado the impetus, and also set up Pablo Mastroeni’s team to do what they do so well: soak up pressure and counter-attack. However, the Sounders have gamebreakers like Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro, and they did what they needed to do to give their team the edge heading back to Commerce City on Sunday. Morris’ goal was spectacular, and showed a little of what the US missed in their two World Cup Qualifiers, and Lodeiro, who in reality is the MLS MVP, dispatched a penalty very well to give Seattle a lead they never gave up.
Colorado, like Toronto, has a road goal in their back pocket and only need to score one to advance on Sunday. But they are stouter and assured at the back compared to TFC, so if they only score one, they’re plenty likely to hold on and win on away goals. However, Seattle going forward with their weapons has shown that they can break this defense down. Their two home goals mean they may only need one to advance themselves. This delicate dance between defense and attack for both teams leaves this tie finely poised as well, and means there will be plenty of tactical drama on Sunday.
After such a landmark week in MLS with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Robbie Keane and Didier Drogba all announcing that they’re leaving their respective clubs and Bruce Arena leaving the Galaxy to go back to the US National Team, the playoffs rightfully took their place last night as the main attraction, and lived up to the billing on the marquee. It only seems right that the second legs will be even better.
