Article by Matt Lichtenstadter
MLS Cup 2018 is set after the second legs of the conference finals, one of which was a fait accompli and the other a wild affair with drama down to the final seconds. How many surprises are left in this season now that it’s down to one game? There have been quite a few getting here, especially in these Finals, so what’s left could be some of the biggest surprises yet.
NYRB 1 ATLU 0 (NYRB 1 ATLU 3): The Red Bulls needed a miracle to win this tie after their first leg disaster in Atlanta on Sunday, and a miracle never came. New York looked as they did trying to find a goal against Chivas back in March in CCL; they huffed and puffed but never seriously threatened Atlanta’s solid back three. For all of Atlanta’s lightning quick attacking play, their defensive solidity in these playoffs has been hugely impressive and has shown that they have another way to play, which is critical in these games. Chris Armas made some brilliant tactical moves this season but failed in this series and it cost his team, the best in the regular season in MLS history, a chance at winning the Cup. There’s no doubt the Red Bulls have the infrastructure and the academy to continue to win at a high level in the league for years to come, but they need something extra to win in these big games, which they have proven year-over-year that they can’t. Atlanta meanwhile have plenty of clubs in their bag for MLS Cup Final, which will be played at the greatest home field advantage in the league, which meant they’d be a favorite no matter who they play.
SKC 2 POR 3 (SKC 2 POR 3): This tie was finely poised heading to Kansas City after a relatively cagey 0-0 in Portland. The Timbers had the better of the attacking chances but failed to take advantage of them in leg one. In leg two, it certainly looked early like SKC might run away with the game after scoring early and nearly scoring two more. But Portland has been resolute this season in the face of adversity, including in the playoffs, and that showed in the second. First, Sebastian Blanco scored one of the goals of the season to draw Portland level, and Diego Valeri pounced on a mistake by Tim Melia to put Portland up 2. Sporting Kansas City has never been designed to shut up shop, and they didn’t know how to put this tie away when Portland began to push forward with their attacking talent. SKC got one back, but with the away goals tiebreaker, their hill was too tall to climb.
Even though Gio Savarese’s team is built on a solid defensive foundation, they still have some of the better attackers in the league with Valeri, Blanco, Polo and the revelation of Jeremy Ebobisse. They faced difficult tests all throughout the playoffs on the road trying to advance in Dallas, Seattle and Kansas City, and passed them all. That should prepare them for the adversity they’re going to face no doubt in Atlanta for MLS Cup. They will have to be solid, stout and organized and find ways to target Atlanta’s weak points, namely the spaces in behind their wingbacks and fullbacks and other weak links like Jeff Larentowicz (even though he’s playing very well right now), and with their counterattack and how they will no doubt be organized, they have quite a good chance to come away with the Cup.
Atlanta are one step away from fulfilling their goals before their club changes in a dramatic way for next season, and Portland in their first season with a new coach have found some old playoff magic once again. Who has the edge in MLS Cup? Atlanta with the home field obviously starts out on top, but Portland’s experience and mettle will suit them well having been there and done that multiple times just to get to the Cup. Will it be a major upset if Portland comes away victorious? Perhaps. But they have exactly the profile to do it here.
