MLS Cup Semi-finals Preview
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact
At the start of the 2016 MLS season, very few people would have predicted that two Canadian MLS teams would reach the Semi-finals of the MLS Cup.
Montreal started the season reasonably well, but failed to string a good run of form together. Didier Drogba led the line for a good portion of the year, until his refusal to play against the club's semi-final opponent in mid-October. Now, Montreal relies on players like Ignacio Piatti and Matteo Mancosu to score the goals. Few expected the Impact to make it this far into the post-season, but perhaps the players and fans have the belief necessary to move on to the next round. Toronto will not be looking forward to playing in the Saputo Stadium in less than two weeks time.
Toronto was one of the favorites this year to reach the MLS cup final, with players like Sebastian Giovinco (pictured above), Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore expected to show up big this season. Toronto started the season well with a big win over another Eastern conference contender in the New York Red Bulls, but failed to get any momentum going until later into the season. Sebastian Giovinco was exceptional throughout the regular season, putting up big numbers in the regular season despite a long break due to injury. Toronto is under a lot of pressure coming into this semi-final, but if the team's big three shows up like they did in the quarter-finals against NYCFC, the team should breeze by their Canadian rivals into the MLS Cup Final.
Players to Watch: Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Ignacio Piatti
Predictions:
Jacob - Toronto wins, aggregate score 4-3
Palmer - Toronto wins, aggregate score 4-2
Seattle Sounders vs. Colorado Rapids
Another surprising set of semi-finalists, with few people expecting the Rapids to finish anywhere other than last place at the beginning of the 2016 MLS season, while Seattle fired their longtime coach Sigi Schmid after an torrid start to the season.
The Sounders have had a rollercoaster of a year, starting with the loss of one of their DP's in Obafemi Martins. His loss wasn't as harsh a blow as the loss of talisman Clint Dempsey to heart problems, which combined with the rest of the club's instability should've doomed the club to one of their worst ever seasons. Despite all the issues plaguing the team, several players and the new coach Brian Schmetzer stepped up to position the team to win the MLS cup. Jordan Morris, the MLS rookie of the year, scored the most goals during the regular season for the club, while Nicolas Lodeiro has provided the club with 4 goals already in the playoffs. Both players have combined to fill the gap left by Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey, and maybe with the help of the ravenous Sounders fans can take the club to the MLS finals.
The Colorado Rapids have proved exceptional this year, finishing with the second highest points total during the regular season, just behind FC Dallas. Players like Jermaine Jones and Tim Howard lead the Rapids' insanely strong defense, while relying on Shkelzen Gashi, Dominique Badji, and Kevin Doyle to score the goals. Colorado is definitely capable of holding off the Seattle offense, only allowing the Sounders to score one goal across the two games they played against each other during the regular season. If the Rapids can replicate their results from the regular season, they will be one of the most surprising MLS Cup finalists in the history of the league.
Players to Watch: Tim Howard, Nicolas Lodeiro, Jermaine Jones.
Predictions:
Jacob - Colorado wins, aggregate score 3-1
Palmer - Seattle wins, aggregate score 0-2