ASN: Dallas, Portland, New York, and Columbus Have At It

After a two-week break between matches, the 2015 MLS playoffs ramp up in a giant means on Sunday. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta handicaps the contests and predicts the winners for you right here.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
November 20, 2015
7:30 PM

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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER’S convention finals start on Sunday with 4 very worthy groups nonetheless within the working for the 2015 MLS Cup.

Three of these 4, Portland being the exception, had been among the many league’s authentic groups. And whereas probably the most seen designated gamers could have been eradicated, an thrilling new group of gamers—together with Matt Miazga, Ethan Finlay, Darlington Nagbe, Matt Hedges, and Kei Kamara—is ready to step into the highlight.

Columbus Crew—New York Crimson Bulls

The Japanese Convention closing (5pm ET, ESPN) is a matchup, fittingly, between the 2 greatest groups within the Japanese Convention, and all of it will begin in entrance of a sold-out crowd at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus. The matchup must be offensively oriented: The Crimson Bulls scored an MLS-best 62 objectives in 2015, whereas the Crew (58) tied Toronto for second-best.

Keys to victory for the Crimson Bulls: With comparable strengths, these groups match up effectively in opposition to one another. Each have good wingers, central midfielders, goalkeepers, and middle forwards. An enormous query for the Crimson Bulls might be central defender Ronald Zubar, who might be enjoying alongside Miazga rather than the injured Damien Perrinelle. With every staff being able to attain shortly and sometimes, any shakiness from Zubar may make the distinction.

Dax McCarty might want to have an unlimited sequence. The central midfielder is New York’s engine and glue man, however Crew SC may have Federico Higuain, Wil Trapp, and Tony Tchani aiming to regulate that space of the sector as effectively. Nonetheless, when McCarty is enjoying effectively with Sacha Kljestan, the Crimson Bulls are laborious to cease.

Away objectives, as at all times, are going to be essential, so look the Crimson Bulls will doubtless search for methods to open up the sport.

Keys to victory for the Crew: Columbus has all of the wind at its again proper now after defeating Montreal, which many thought may contend for MLS Cup after its high-profile acquisition of striker Didier Drogba. Whereas Gregg Berhalter’s staff conceded 53 objectives in 2015 (second-worst amongst all playoff groups), its protection held robust in opposition to the Influence. If the Crew can play in a similar way right here, it’s going to have a very good likelihood.

Kamara is coming off considered one of his greatest video games in a stellar season however will probably be the wingers right here that would be the key to opening up the offense for the Crew. Justin Meram and Finlay, a Greatest XI candidate, are matched up in opposition to New York’s personal high quality huge gamers in Mike Grella and Lloyd Sam. Meram and Finlay need to win that battle.

Prediction: In an thrilling sport, Columbus prevails 2-1 within the first leg however New York may have an away purpose heading again to Crimson Bull Area.

Portland Timbers—FC Dallas

In what must be an unpredictable sequence, the third-seeded Portland Timbers will host top-seeded FC Dallas on Sunday (7:30 pm, Fox Sports activities 1) within the first leg of the Western Convention closing. Whereas FC Dallas has had a powerful season, there isn’t any query that Portland has been among the many greatest groups within the league over the previous two months, posting some extraordinarily spectacular outcomes at residence.

Keys to victory for FC Dallas: Targets will doubtless be laborious to return by after Portland had little bother shutting out the Vancouver Whitecaps over two legs within the West semifinal. Fabian Castillo is likely one of the greatest gamers within the league and he’ll have to point out as a lot on this sequence; the identical goes for Mauro Diaz.

The primary leg may be the most important take a look at within the younger profession of Kellyn Acosta, who will patrol the central midfield in opposition to freshly minted U.S. worldwide Darlington Nagbe. The 2 People might be set for an intriguing battle on this sequence and if Acosta can win out FC Dallas may have a very good likelihood at victory. 

Keys to victory for the Timbers: One of the vital points of Portland’s current surge has been its play on the street, having received its final 4 in opposition to a number of the greatest within the league: Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Columbus. Its play at residence, nonetheless, has left a lot to be desired. If Caleb Porter can have his squad reap the benefits of what must be an enormous home-field benefit at an always-raucous Windfall Park, the Timbers can be unstoppable.

Portland’s 41 objectives in the course of the common season had been the worst tally by any of the MLS playoff groups, however current experimentations with formations has modified that dramatically. Given an additional week to arrange for this one, Porter ought to have his facet all set to take the early sequence lead.

Prediction: Portland takes care of enterprise at residence with a 1-0 win and an all-important clear sheet.