MLS Playoff Preview: Conference semis hang in the balance
There is nothing settled as the conference semifinals wind to a close on Sunday. Narrow margins exist in three of the four ties. The other series is all square headed back to Vancouver. Those tenuous advantages only offer so much comfort ahead of the decisive second legs on Sunday.
Eastern Conference: (1) New York Red Bulls -- (4) D.C. United, 3:00p.m. ET (ESPN)
Red Bulls lead 1-0 on aggregate
United must improve significantly to pose any threat to the Red Bulls in Harrison. Ben Olsen’s side responded to New York’s pressure by hoofing forward at every possible opportunity. The inability to maintain possession is one of United’s hallmarks, but this group must figure out how to string together passes at the right time -- three, four, five-pass sequences to get out and sweep forward on the counter -- in order to survive here. The potential absences of Sean Franklin (ankle) and Chris Pontius (hamstring) complicate those endeavors considerably.
New York faces its own injury concerns with influential defender Damien Perrinelle ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs. Perrinelle established a formidable partnership with Matt Miazga and permitted the Red Bulls to play a cohesive high line. The introduction of Ronald Zubar creates some issues -- Zubar is not as disciplined or as mobile -- and strips away the inherent chemistry. The duo must settle quickly with United poised to play directly toward Alvaro Saborio through the middle and Fabian Espindola in the left channel.
The balance -- New York operating in possession, United trying to stay afloat long enough to strike on the break -- remains the same even with the injuries. Both sides must manage their fullback areas carefully and play to their strengths in order to strengthen their chances of a place in the last four.
Eastern Conference: (2) Columbus Crew SC -- (3) Montréal Impact, 5:00p.m. ET (ESPN)
Impact leads 2-1 on aggregate
Balance remains the primary issue for Crew SC ahead of this second leg at MAPFRE Stadium. There is a desire to chase the game a bit after the defeat in Montréal, but this group needs to temper those ambitions appropriately in this situation. There is no utility in winning 3-2 or 4-3 with only one away goal on the ledger.
Crew SC must concoct ways to engage Ethan Finlay and Kei Kamara more frequently in order to make the best use of those opportunities. Both players drifted out of the game as the Impact kept their shape compact and limited their ability to pop into dangerous positions. Finlay might need to float into wider spots to pick up the ball, while Kamara requires a greater variety of service after that first leg.
Montréal must lean on the bedrock of those defensive efforts as this second leg beckons. This group posted clean sheets in its final two regular-season matches away from home. The principles remain the same here: congest the center of the park, keep the fullbacks in conservative areas and spring Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti on the counter at the proper junctures. If the Impact can manage this game appropriately, then this group stands a good chance of dispatching Crew SC.
Western Conference: (1) FC Dallas -- (4) Seattle Sounders, 7:30p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Sports GO)
Sounders lead 2-1 on aggregate
Seattle mustered an impressive response after halftime to cobble together a narrow advantage for this trip to Frisco. Clint Dempsey thrived when he dropped back into midfield, while Andreas Ivanschitz also tucked inside to good effect. It is not a coincidence the Sounders posed more of a threat when they proceeded with haste straight through the middle of the field.
The first-half balance matters more in this first leg, though. Seattle ceded far too much room to Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz and paid a considerable price for it. Diaz flourished when provided with space to roam, while Castillo slashed through the Sounders defense when supplied with the proper service.
The instructions from the first leg -- FC Dallas must figure out how to shunt the Sounders wide, while Seattle must limit the distance from back to front to reduce Diaz’s freedom -- hold here. Seattle desperately needs Osvaldo Alonso (groin) and Brad Evans (hamstring) back in the fold to cope with this difficult trek to Texas. If the Sounders buckle at the outset again, then FCD boast the tools to turn this tie around quickly.
Western Conference: (2) Vancouver Whitecaps -- (3) Portland Timbers, 10:00p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Sports GO)
Series tied 0-0 on aggregate
Vancouver enters the first MLS playoff game at B.C. Place with a peculiar assignment. The stalemate at Providence Park a week ago provided a firm foundation to advance with victory at home, but it also supplied the Timbers with the possibility of going through with a scoring draw in this second leg.
Portland is particularly suited to grinding out that sort of result away from home. Caleb Porter’s side is one of the best in the league on the road because it allies the necessary defensive shape with the ability to carve open teams on the counter. Those strengths must rise to the fore here in order to navigate through this assignment. Look for Porter to weigh his midfield choices carefully with Diego Chara and Will Johnson both pressing for a place from the start. Chara is more likely to replace Jack Jewsbury to ensure the proper balance.
Balance remains the vital quest for the Whitecaps as Carl Robinson ponders his options. The question of creativity is a vital one with Pedro Morales (a late substitute in the first leg) and Mauro Rosales in contention for a starting berth and Nicolas Mezquida perhaps ready for a place in the squad. Morales looms as the vital component with his ability to carve open the Timbers with diagonals and maintain the supply lines to Octavio Rivero. Whether Robinson opts to risk Morales from the start is an open question. Either way, the Whitecaps must figure out a way to create chances in possession without leaving themselves susceptible on the break.
