ASN: Knockout Recreation Forecast: D.C. and Seattle Look Good

Two extra groups will get eradicated from the MLS playoffs tonight, and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta shares his ideas on why he believes Montreal and Sporting Kansas Metropolis are on their means out.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
October 27, 2016
10:35 AM

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D.C. United – Montreal Influence

Of all of the knockout video games on the schedule, this one might be the toughest to foretell. It options two wildly inconsistent groups which have each performed stretches of excellent and terrible soccer in 2016. D.C. United is on the upswing in the meanwhile so that ought to give them the sting towards a Montreal workforce that has performed effectively at occasions however will likely be with out Didier Drogba.

After all, everythign is topic to alter within the postseason. United may reverse course and return to being probably the most boring workforce within the league. Whereas Montreal may rally with out Drogba and look to show doubters unsuitable. The up-and-down nature of each groups combined with the diva perspective of sure world superstars on groups with enormous payroll discrepancies makes this recreation extremely emblematic of the madness of MLS. 

Whereas DC United misplaced its last recreation of the common season, 4-2 to Orlando, head coach Ben Olsen determined to relaxation a lot of his key gamers for this knockout recreation. Earlier than that recreation, United gained its 4 earlier video games and hadn’t misplaced since September 1.

Montreal additionally rested gamers for its last recreation in a brutal 3-0 loss to New England however nonetheless key gamers like Ignacio Piatti struggled within the second half. Previous to that, the membership was enjoying fairly respectable soccer profitable two and drawing as soon as after an unpleasant 4 recreation winless streak in September.

Keys to a DC United win: No matter who does or would not present up for Montreal, D.C. United must impose itself at residence. An important participant is Patrick Mullins who turned one of many league’s greatest forwards the ultimate two months of the season. He was a distinction maker for United and he might want to keep at that degree (which is asking quite a bit). However the energy of this workforce is the backline, which options Bobby Boswell (a former MLS Defender of the 12 months and two-time Greatest XI honoree) and U.S worldwide Steve Birnbaum. With out Drogba, Montreal will doubtless function the speedy Dominic Oduro, which may very well be tough for United’s protection.  

Keys to a Montreal Influence win: With out Drogba, the largest offensive risk for Montreal will likely be Ignacio Piatti—a possible MVP candidate. The Argentine should have an enormous recreation and he’s crucial participant for this workforce. If Piatti fails, so will the Influence. Larent Ciman is the reigning Defender of the 12 months and he’ll try and deliver Mullins again right down to earth. In the meantime, the ever-inconsistent Oduro might want to make the most of his pace and play to the extent which he has often proven to be fairly excessive.

Prediction: D.C. United takes this recreation 1-0. Olsen’s workforce is enjoying higher and Montreal has confronted too many distractions. Montreal actually has the expertise to drag off an upset however all indicators level to United advancing.

Seattle Sounders – Sporting KC  

Two months in the past, it was loopy to assume that the Seattle Sounders could be within the playoffs after Sigi Schmid was fired, the workforce was buried in final place, and Clint Dempsey’s coronary heart ailment pressured him to step apart for the 12 months. Not solely has the workforce reversed course and managed to sneak into the postseason, it really earned a recreation at residence for the knockout stage. In the meantime, Sporting Kansas Metropolis has plenty of questions coming into this recreation.

For one, SKC has gained simply certainly one of its final 15 highway video games in league play this season. For higher or worse, the core of this workforce—Benny Feilhaber, Graham Zusi, Dom Dwyer, and Matt Besler—are recognized commodities and won’t shock anybody. 

Keys to a Seattle Sounders win: It is all about Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro. With these two in type and enjoying at residence, Sporting Kansas Metropolis has little likelihood. Sure, the house workforce has an efficient backline anchored by Chad Marshall and a strong goalkeeper in Stefan Frei. However Seattle can discover methods of dominating at residence and that is about offense and scoring early. If the offense clicks, the protection often does too.

Keys to a Sporting Kansas Metropolis win: The protection should play effectively early and get the momentum at its again. If it will probably stay within the recreation into the second half, Seattle may get annoyed. Morris has dealt with the strain and hype of his rookie season effectively, however this will likely be one other degree for him and he’s nonetheless new to this. Kansas Metropolis has veterans who’ve seen all of it earlier than, and if they will leverage this expertise, they may have an opportunity.

Feilhaber and Dwyer should create scoring alternatives. If Kansas Metropolis is on its again foot solely on the lookout for counter assaults and set items, Seattle goes to win the sport. However Feilhaber and Dwyer are prime gamers on this league for a purpose. This will likely be an enormous second for each to present Kansas Metropolis a shot on the upset.

Prediction: Seattle has an excessive amount of going for it proper now and Kansas Metropolis has provided no proof that it’s going to now hastily compete within the hardest highway atmosphere within the league. Seattle wins 2-0.