As the MLS playoffs unfold, let’s take a look back at the conference semifinal games as well as looking forward towards the conference finals games. Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Colorado Rapids and the Seattle Sounders are the four remaining clubs still alive in these 2016 MLS playoffs. Montreal and Toronto surprised both Eastern conference top two seeds, as they beat the New York Red Bulls (3-1 aggregate) and NYCFC (7-0 aggregate) respectively.
The Montreal-Toronto game should be a great one as both Canadian teams have a big rivalry between one another. Toronto will have the privilege to field a Giovinco-Altidore tandem where as the Impact could respond with a Piatti-Drogba star duo. It will be interesting to see how Didier Drogba performs as he hasn’t played in a while for Montreal. We all know that Drogba has the international experience having played many big games for Chelsea and the Ivory Coast so you can never count him out even if his level of fitness might not be what it once was. The 401 Derby(Montreal-Toronto Derby) has always been a passionate one as both clubs have shared the spoils on a few occasions in the recent past. Toronto finished the season third in the Eastern Conference with a total of 53 points and a +12 goal differential. They were also the Eastern Club that conceded the fewest amount of goals during the regular season as they only let in 39 goals. The Montreal Impact on the other hand finished in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference finals with a total of 45 points. They ended the season with a -4 goal differential. This should be a very heated game between two solid clubs.
In the Western Conference game, the Colorado Rapids will take on the Seattle Sounders. Seattle surprised FC Dallas (who ended up being the 2016 Supporters Shield winner, handed to the team with the best regular season record ) as they eliminated them 4-2 after both legs. Colorado on the other hand come into this game having eliminated the LA Galaxy (1-1 aggregate, 3-1 after penalty kicks) as it was a very tight encounter. If we look at regular season stats, then the Colorado Rapids are the best remaining team in the final four as they finished second in the Western Conference standings with a 58 point tally. They also had the best defense in the entire MLS during the regular season as they only conceded 32 goals. Seattle finished fourth in the Western Conference as they racked up 48 points.
Both games should be very entertaining and evenly matched. The first leg games will be played respectively in Montreal and in Seattle with the return legs played in Toronto and in Colorado. All 4 teams are hoping to reach the MLS finals as Coloradois the only team to have won the Cup back in 2010. This will also be a historic season for Canadian teams as either Montreal or Toronto will be the first ever Canadian team to reach the MLS cup finals.
The first Conference game will be played tonight at the Olympic stadium in Montreal where as Seattle will host Colorado a few hours later.
Enjoy this week’s games as the action in the MLS is starting to heat up ,
Jean-Luca Mascaro
