The Main League Soccer postseason opens tonight with elimination video games that includes a few of the largest names within the league. Right here, Brian Sciaretta shares his predictions for each contests.
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Brian Sciaretta
Posted
October 26, 2016
9:10 AM
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Toronto FC – Philadelphia Union
The 2016 MLS playoffs will kickoff Wednesday night time north of the border when Toronto FC hosts the Philadelphia Union (7:30pm ET, ESPN2) within the first knockout recreation of the postseason. As of now, all of the momentum favors the hosts which boast a first-rate attacking duo of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco.
The sport shouldn’t be shut. Philadelphia pale badly down the stretch and ended the season winless in its final seven. Regardless of the addition of U.S. worldwide Alejandro Bedoya, the membership has come aside on the seams
Keys to a Toronto FC win: When a group is closely favored, the worst factor it may possibly do is let the underdog dangle round. Toronto must be explosive within the assault, end effectively, and put Philadelphia out of the sport early. Within the midfield, Michael Bradley should outperform Bedoya and management the middle of the sector and play the forwards into harmful positions that expose Philadelphia’s backline.
Keys to a Philadelphia Union win: A number of gamers should have their finest recreation in at the very least a number of months. Bedoya must be a frontrunner and mix effectively with Chris Pontius who was the Union’s finest participant this 12 months. C.J. Sapong hasn’t scored since August 13 and his lack of ending was an enormous a part of Philadelphia’s collapse. However the true key shall be goalkeeper Andre Blake, who could be the MLS Goalkeeper of the 12 months, and his younger backline. They have to play to their potential to cease Toronto’s potent offense.
Prediction: Toronto takes care of enterprise at residence with a convincing 3-0 win.
Los Angeles Galaxy – Actual Salt Lake
The five-time champion Los Angeles Galaxy will deliver a wealth of expertise to this postseason, together with, after all, Landon Donovan who rejoined the group in September after practically two years of retirement. Whereas the Galaxy received simply as soon as in its final 5 video games, it nonetheless has the very best aim differential (+15) of any Western Convention group and has the expertise edge over a Actual Salt Lake squad that was winless in its previous seven (three attracts, 4 losses) and pale to the sixth seed within the convention.
Residence subject benefit ought to issue closely into this recreation (10:30pm ET, UniMas) and Actual Salt Lake has misplaced 5 straight video games away from Rio Tinto. The Galaxy shall be motivated and energized at residence and boast many gamers who’ve been on this stage, and much greater levels, many occasions earlier than.
Keys to a LA Galaxy win: An important participant for the Galaxy within the submit season is Jelle Van Damme because the Belgian has been a rock within the backline and has actually bailed the Galaxy out of many harmful alternatives. At this stage, any group can pull off a win and Van Damme will doubtless must work extra magic to keep away from RSL targets towards the run of play.
In fact accidents have plagued the Galaxy this 12 months with Steven Gerrard and Gyasi Zardes not with the ability to contribute in the course of the second half of the season and Robbie Keane lacking a lot of the final month. However that may drive others into the highlight. Now six weeks into his comeback, can Donovan thrive within the highlight he loves? If Keane is wholesome for this recreation, what stage is he at? Essentially the most duty within the assault falls to Giovani Dos Santos who’s essentially the most wholesome and gifted Galaxy offensive menace in the intervening time. These are the kind of video games he was introduced in to win.
Keys to a Actual Salt Lake win: The Galaxy is coping with accidents, so if Actual Salt Lake desires to shake its stoop, there needs to be openings. First, the protection should include Dos Santos. This would be the largest check within the younger profession of U.S. U-20 central defender Justen Glad who has emerged as a mainstay on the group. On the flip aspect, Jamison Olave has proven indicators of getting older and might want to flip again time to maintain Actual Salt Lake concerned. The identical holds true for Nick Rimando, who nonetheless stays a extremely competent keeper (and if this recreation goes to a shootout, Rimando will make Salt Lake the favourite at that time).
Within the assault Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan must end their possibilities. The Galaxy ought to preserve a possession edge however Plata and Movsisyan will get alternatives and their skill to transform could possibly be a deciding issue within the occasion of an upset.
Prediction: This recreation shall be nearer than some may assume however I consider the Galaxy will discover a late winner in a 2-1 victory. I can even predict that this shall be an thrilling and entertaining one to observe.
