Four of the MLS Cup semifinal match-ups will take place with plenty of interesting storylines in the midst of some great play on the field.
The second leg of the MLS Cup playoffs semifinal round will consist of matches between LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids, Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and New York City FC, and Seattle Sounders versus FC Dallas. After an exciting first leg, none of the match-ups are tied heading into the second game. Every higher seed is down as they return home to try and bounce back.
A chance at the Conference Championship is on the line for all eight clubs. There were no away goals scored in the first leg as every home lower seed held the away team scoreless. The second leg should provide plenty of fireworks as a number of teams need to be more offensive.
Here are my predictions for the four match-ups, who will win the second leg, and who will advance to the Conference Championships on aggregate.
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LA Galaxy vs Colorado Rapids (1-0 on Aggregate)
After Los Angeles’ impressive performance at home, they will now have to beat/draw with Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids have yet to lose a game at home this season (11W-0L-6D) so it will be a tough task for Bruce Arena’s side. Despite that, the pick is LA to advance 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 second leg finish. I don’t think Colorado have enough offense to score multiple goals in this one.
Montreal Impact vs New York Red Bulls (1-0 on Aggregate)
Montreal shocked everyone when they stole the first leg 1-0 at home. They held Bradley Wright-Philips, Sacha Kljestan, and company scoreless but I don’t expect the same at Red Bulls Arena. BWP and the NYRB are too talented going forward. I think the home side will win 2-0 and advance to the Conference Championship. Montreal needed a world class finish to get their goals last game, and for BWP to miss some close range chances to win, it will be hard to replicate that.
Toronto FC vs New York City FC (2-0 on Aggregate)
NYCFC will be facing an uphill battle all game. Patrick Vieira’s side will need to come out with an offensive mindset if they want to make up a 2-0 deficit. They can not play it safe and that style of play will open up holes for Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco going forward. I expect these two sides to draw 2-2. That means TFC will advance 4-2 on aggregate.
Seattle Sounders vs FC Dallas (3-0 on Aggregate)
FC Dallas is finished. Even though they are at home, without Mauro Diaz, this is just a different team. They don’t have the firepower to come back from a 3-0 and the Sounders are hitting their stride. Dallas will need a miracle if they want to come back from a 3-0 behind. Seattle’s playing their best football of the year and I don’t see that letting up. The pick is Seattle to win 2-1 in Frisco. They will advance 5-1 on aggregate.
Will I be wrong with my predictions? Probably but those are my picks and I’m sticking to them. LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders will be a Western Conference Championship match-up and New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC will be the match-up in the Eastern Conference.