ASN Contributing Editor Brian Sciaretta has stored an in depth eye on the 2015 MLS playoffs and expects a tense, hard-fought title match on Sunday. He sees Columbus successful an in depth one in opposition to Portland.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
December 05, 2015
12:00 PM
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MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER will conclude its twentieth season on Sunday when the Columbus Crew host the Portland Timbers in entrance of what’s going to be a packed MAPFRE Stadium. Whereas it’d lack big-name stars, the competition ought to be attractive because it options the 2 finest groups over the previous two months.
Portland might be making its first look in MLS Cup since becoming a member of the league in 2011. Over that point it has loved boisterous native assist and fixed sellout crowds. Whereas the group struggled for the primary half of 2015, it got here to life in September when coach Caleb Porter carried out a tactical change to get U.S. nationwide group midfielder Darlington Nagbe into the center of the sector. Since then, it has been dominant—notably on the highway the place it has misplaced simply as soon as in eight video games.
The Crew, alternatively, has proven terrific group within the playoffs, defeating a Didier Drogba-led Montreal Influence and the Supporters’ Defend-winning New York Pink Bulls who boasted the league’s finest offense within the common season.
In different phrases, this recreation is a complete toss-up with neither group being a clear-cut favourite. Here’s what to observe for.
The Central midfield battle
Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri will play main roles on Sunday. Porter lately instructed me that the “two together are a perfect number 10 and number 8.” The way in which they’ve performed backs it up. Nagbe, particularly, has been superb even when he gave the ball away extra occasions than he would have preferred within the second leg in opposition to Dallas.
The issue for Portland is that the Crew is properly versed in containing central midfielders. Columbus boasts a triangle of Tony Tchani and Wil Trapp in again of Federico Higuain who serves as a playmaker. Towards New York, these three took Sacha Kljestan, Dax McCarty, and Luis Felipe out of the sequence for 180 minutes.
Columbus is an attacking group however in opposition to New York it was prepared to play a defensive model that was efficient (albeit disagreeable to observe). It clogged up hopes within the midfield and suffocated the Pink Bull assault. The Crew’s finest goal-scoring alternatives had been few and much between, however the group was medical with its probabilities.
Portland has the expertise to win the midfield battle and management the sport, however it’s also going to wish a little bit of magic too. Towards Dallas, Dairon Asprilla hit a surprise objective to offer it momentum for the return leg. Lucas Melano confirmed incredible particular person talent in his sequence sealing objective.
It’ll take a group effort for both group to win, however particular person moments or magic and even luck could possibly be the distinction in such an evenly matched contest.
Offering Service to the Strikers
The Crew has to date shut down two of the league’s finest goal forwards within the playoffs—Didier Drogba and Bradley Wright-Phillips. To win the title, it should full a trifecta and shut down Portland’s Fanendo Adi who’s questionable for the sport with a calf contusion however it’s simply onerous to see him lacking a recreation of this magnitude.
The Crew boast a prime striker too, Kei Kamara, who was named to the league’s Finest XI after a 22-goal season.
The important thing to containing these gamers might be chopping off the service. Columbus did this superbly in opposition to Wright-Phillips when it took wingers Mike Grella, Lloyd Sam, and Gonzalo Veron out of the sport.
The benefit right here goes to Columbus. To open up Adi, it will take a Plan B method from Portland.
Attacking Portland’s Wingers
Columbus boasts two of one of the best wingers within the league with Justin Meram and MLS Finest XI honoree Ethan Finlay. The issue, nonetheless, is that neither had a fantastic sequence in opposition to the Pink Bulls outdoors of their mixture to attain 10 seconds into the primary leg.
It ought to be a priority that Finlay and Meram look drained after their busiest seasons of their careers. Finlay has already surpassed 3,200 minutes in 2015—a profession excessive by a big margin. Equally, Meram will surpass 3,000 minutes this 12 months—together with his worldwide minutes for Iraq’s nationwide group—breaking his earlier excessive of round 2,000 minutes.
The damage and tear could possibly be an element. The issue for Columbus is that each Meram and Finlay are main elements within the group’s assault. When the sport opens up, they supply velocity. Most significantly, they’re on the hook to supply Kamara with service.
For the Crew to win, Finlay and Meram should be on the highest of their video games because the central midfield might be twisted up. On paper, it ought to be the most important benefit for Columbus over Portland. When factoring in Columbus’ fullback play, which has been sturdy, the house group’s benefit turns into even larger. Finlay stated after the Pink Bulls sequence that he likes his match up in opposition to Timbers left again Jorge Villafana. He’ll now should again up these phrases.
It will likely be very fascinating to see how efficient Finlay and Meram are and if they will set up possession early. In the event that they cay, it could possibly be a tricky day for Portland.
Prediction
I count on an in depth and even contest, with each groups having alternatives to win. However there can solely be one champion and I predict the Columbus Crew will defeat the Portland Timbers, 2-1, in further time.
