The first Conference finalist in the MLS play-offs will be determined on Thursday night when the Seattle Sounders host their rivals Vancouver Whitecaps at CenturyLink Field. The tie is nicely poised after a 0-0 draw in the first leg so there is all to play for in this one.
The winners of the tie will progress to the Western Conference final after the international break where they will face either the Portland Timbers or the Houston Dynamo.
Seattle Sounders
The second placed side in the Western Conference will feel they got the bulk of the job done in that first leg when they left Canada all-square in the tie. With their recent home form they will be very confident of getting the job done in front of a passionate home crowd. They also have their talisman back from injury in this second leg too.
Right from the outset in the first leg you got the feeling that the Sounders just wanted to remain in the tie. They were not exceptionally positive in that match but at the same time they managed to negate what was a surprisingly negative home side. With players back and on their home pitch the Sounders are likely to go for this.
Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps head into this second leg off the back of a barrage of criticism for their display and more to the point their tactics in the first leg. It must be well known that the Sounders are tough to beat on their own track but at no point did you get the feeling that Vancouver were desperate to head to Washington State in front.
It appeared as though their focus was purely on keeping a clean sheet which worked but that plan will only make any sense if they score in this second leg. If they fail to find the net then they will have made a right mess especially as Seattle were there for the taking last week. If they do score they will have more than one foot in the final.
Team News
Clint Dempsey is back from suspension for the Seattle Sounders which will be important. Jordan Morris remains out but Ozzie Alonso came off the bench in the first leg and could get a longer role in this game.
Carl Robinson surprisingly left Yordy Reyna and Cristian Techera on the bench in that first leg and with them likely to play on the break here at CenturyLink we can expect both to be in from the start here.
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Betting
I’ve a feeling we are going to see another very tight and tense match like we saw in the first match. If the Vancouver Whitecaps were not prepared to attack at home they certainly aren’t going to be too offensive in this match so this tie is likely to come down to if, and how quickly, Seattle can break down their opponents.
I’m not expecting to see many goals here. Whoever does score first is likely to employ the option of trying to hang on to what they have got and if that goal doesn’t come along early then both sides may seize up and try not to make a mistake rather than taking a risk to win. It all spells under 2.5 goals to me.
Tips
WON – Back Under 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 2.05 with Betbright
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