The first team into the MLS Cup final will be determined on Wednesday night when Toronto FC host the Columbus Crew in the second leg of their Eastern Conference final. The two sides go into the match with the score looked at 0-0 from the first game so the winners on the night will progress to host the overall final in 10 days.
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Toronto FC
Given that they played the first leg without Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore due to suspension you would have to feel that Toronto FC would be delighted with the first leg result. There is pressure on them because every goal that they concede here would be an away goal but they have been excellent at home all season so they shouldn’t feel it too much.
Toronto have largely been defensively solid at home this year and in their front two you know they have goals in them so they will be confident here of making it back to the MLS Cup final for a second year in a row. They beat Columbus Crew 5-0 at BMO Field in the regular season which should give them even more confidence.
Columbus Crew
It seems as though the Columbus Crew have had their backs against the wall for most of this postseason campaign. They had it all to do when they went to Atlanta United in the knockout round but they escaped on penalties and then New York City had them up against it in the semi-final but again the Crew held firm.
This will be their toughest test though. They have to find a way to leave BMO Field with either a scoring draw or a victory and against a side who play their own patch as well as Toronto do that is not going to be easy. It will be interesting to see if the Crew open up and have a go here or look to take the tie beyond the 180 minutes.
Team News
Toronto FC have both Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore back for this match which will be massive boosts to their chances. Victor Vazquez is likely to play slightly deeper with their return.
Columbus Crew will be without their suspended midfielder Artur. Their potent from four are all available though and you would think the Crew would need to call upon them at some point in the game.
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Betting
There is no doubt that Columbus Crew missed a huge trick in the first leg when they failed to capitalise on the absences that Toronto FC had. The question now is whether they will live to regret that.
I’ve got to think that they will. I know they went to Atlanta and held them to penalties but they were fortunate that night with Atlanta hitting the woodwork and missing some big chances and I don’t expect Toronto to make those mistakes. In order to make it through I think the Crew will need to score at least twice in this one and I don’t see it happening. I think Toronto will win in 90 minutes to book their place in the final.
Tips
Back Toronto FC (-1AH) to beat Columbus Crew for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with LeoVegas
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