Article by Matt Lichtenstadter
MLS’ postseason is now down to the final four after the knockout round took four teams and the conference semi-finals took four more. Not much turned out to be surprising, but there are some big talking points heading into the international break; two weeks before the conference finals get underway. Here’s what stood out from the conference semi-finals, and what that means heading into the conference finals.
Sounders outlast punchless Whitecaps: A drab 0-0 draw in Vancouver set up a fascinating game in Seattle on Thursday, which the Sounders finally put some distance between themselves and the Whitecaps, largely thanks to Clint Dempsey, who was suspended for the first leg. Defensively, Seattle wasn’t often tested, but their attack minus Jordan Morris was leaving something to be desired.
But when called upon, Clint Dempsey showed his class, and a Whitecaps team that never really got in sync in attack was put to the sword. Carl Robinson had some attacking talent at his disposal such as Yordy Reyna, former Sounder Fredy Montero and Christian Bolaños, but played a very defensive style in both legs. Vancouver did beat San Jose to finally win their first playoff game, but didn’t have enough class and quality in the end to up-end their Cascadia rivals.
Similarly to last year, this Sounders team never really found its stride in the regular season, though they were more consistent than last year, but found what is needed when the stakes are the highest.
Toronto FC advances with a pyrrhic victory: Two road goals at Red Bull Arena proved to be enough for Toronto FC to scrape by the Red Bulls, but they had to fight and sacrifice, figuratively and literally, to advance. Both Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore will be suspended for leg one against Columbus after the events in Toronto on Sunday, and though the Reds have amassed incredibly depth, losing both Altidore and Giovinco is something that will be difficult to overcome.
They made things difficult for themselves against the Red Bulls in the second leg with some discipline issues and losing their cool and focus. But the Red Bulls didn’t prove to be much of an attacking force against TFC’s resolute defense, and so that lack of focus wasn’t really punished. But Greg Vanney will understand his team needs to be better to beat the Crew, and it will be difficult without his two best players to get a foothold in the tie. Players like Michael Bradley, Victor Vazquez, Jonathan Osorio and others will need to step up in two weeks for Toronto FC to stay within touching distance of a Crew team that has a vibrant attack.
Toronto FC didn’t finish with the most points in any regular season in MLS history without merit; their depth propelled them to those heights. And now, the depth will be tested under the most pressure possible against a team that has a destined feel to it.
For Jesse Marsch’s Red Bulls, their tactical approach in the second leg did put nerves into the home team, but they didn’t do quite enough. They didn’t get enough from their front players to really trouble TFC, which is a too long concern in Harrison. Something needs to change for the Red Bulls to finally take the next step.
Columbus Crew dream the impossible dream: Almost three weeks ago, a nightmare for Crew fans suddenly became reality when news broke that owner Anthony Precourt was likely to move the team to Austin in 2019. A mix of anger, frustration and sadness hung around the team and many around the league, which put a major damper on a team that was the hottest in the entire league down the stretch. Their first assignment in the postseason was an incredibly difficult one: go to Atlanta and beat Atlanta United in that intense atmosphere. With some heroics from Zack Steffen, they Crew pulled off upset number one. Next up was NYCFC.
Leg one in Columbus promised to be a charged atmosphere, and the Crew fed off it with a brilliant attacking display. Ola Kamara, Pedro Santos, Federico Higuain and Justin Meramcombined to form a potent front four that any team in the league would have trouble stopping, and NYCFC certainly did. They continued to attack and press after going down to 10 men, which left them exposed and cost them a late goal that proved to be fatal overall in the tie.
At Yankee Stadium, where NYCFC hadn’t played since September 9th, they found their groove as an attacking force, and took the game to the visitors. But they needed three goals to advance on away goals, and could only find two. Their playoff hoodoo continues, but for the Crew, their fairytale ride advances on to face Trillium Cup rivals Toronto FC. With the way they attack, and the personnel TFC will not have in the first leg, Gregg Berhalter and company will feel like favorites with what seems like destiny on their side.
MAPFRE Stadium for the first leg of Crew-NYCFC was absolutely electric, and the first leg against Toronto FC will be even better. Is that atmosphere enough to propel the Crew past an even tougher opponent? They’re here now in spite of everything they have faced, so why not?
Dynamo rekindle past glory, outlast depleted Timbers: Portland’s story this season has been injuries, and injuries to key players in bunches. In a weakened west, the Timbers were able toride very good home form in order to win the conference, but they never inspired all that much confidence while doing so. After an uninspiring 0-0 draw in Houston, it seemed like the Timbers would be the favorites with their home form, and Houston’s away form. But in the playoffs, it never really works as the form book would say.
Dairon Asprilla opened the scoring, but the Dynamo under Wilmer Cabrera were consistent and willing to push. After former Sounder Dylan Remick opened the scoring, Mauro Manotas scored a brilliant winner to put the Timbers out of their injury laden misery. Depth issues and injuries caused Caleb Porter heartburn all season, and it caused him heartache at Providence Park on Sunday night. This Dynamo team under Wilmer Cabrera has plenty of attacking flair, but the way they managed the game on Sunday triggered memories of Dominic Kinnear’s teams that won MLS Cup with gritty play that caused other teams immense frustration.
But the Dynamo found a way to blend the two styles of play to beat the Timbers, and with their dominant home form, host Seattle to start the West Finals in two weeks.
More frustration for Portland, but for a Dynamo a team that had missed the playoffs the last three seasons, and changed coaches last offseason somewhat controversially, they are now two results away from MLS Cup.
While there are two weeks to wait for the conference finals, there is plenty of time to analyze what’s already happened and what may happen. What is for sure: the drama and the surprises are stopping any time soon.
