There are five matches left of the MLS season and the first two of those take place on Tuesday night when the play-offs resume. The first legs of the Conference finals are the matches in question and by the end of the evening we may have a clearer picture on who will compete in the MLS Cup final.
As it has been more than two weeks since the Conference semi-finals it is only right to remind people that in the Western Conference the defending champions Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo came through while in the Eastern Conference the Supporters’ Shield winners Toronto FC and Columbus Crew progressed.
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Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC
The action begins in the Eastern Conference when the Columbus Crew take on Toronto FC in their first leg. All eyes will be on the Crew to see if they can take a lead into the second leg with them which you would think they will have to do.
Columbus Crew have been upsetting the odds throughout this play-off campaign so far. They took care of Atlanta United on penalties in the knockout round and then outlasted New York City in the Conference semi-finals where their job was done in the first leg.
Toronto FC also had their tie won in the first leg in the previous round but they looked a nervy outfit in the second leg and as a result Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore picked up bookings which will keep the pair out of this match which is a huge thing.
We saw a bunch of nervy first legs in the previous round but one side who were prepared to go for it was Columbus Crew and I think they’ll do the same here. They know their chance is now given that Toronto miss their two star strikers and I expect the Crew to push on to claim a lead, a lead I think they will get.
Houston Dynamo vs Seattle Sounders
When the season began you would have got decent odds on Houston Dynamo still being active but having come past Sporting Kansas City and the Portland Timbers so far in the play-offs they are very much still alive. They host a Seattle Sounders side who are three wins from successfully defending their MLS title.
The Sounders had to work hard to make it past the Vancouver Whitecaps in the previous round but over the two legs they deservedly came through and now they face another tough test in the form of a Dynamo side who are playing with plenty of emotion behind them after the atrocities of earlier in the year and the success of their baseball side.
We saw both sides very cagey in the first leg of their Conference semi-finals and I’m expecting something similar from them in this match. Houston would probably accept going to Seattle with a clean sheet while Seattle will fancy their chances in the second game as long as they are still in the tie. This could be another nervy encounter in which nothing truly appeals.
Tips
Back Columbus Crew to beat Toronto FC for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with 888Sport
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