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MLS: Top 3 performances from Conference semi-finals

By Matt Coles

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 23: Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) celebrates his 2nd half goal with forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) during a MLS Western Conference semifinal match between the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake on October 23, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 23: Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10) celebrates his 2nd half goal with forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) during a MLS Western Conference semifinal match between the Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake on October 23, 2019, at Century Link Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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QUEENS, NY – OCTOBER 23: Alejandro Pozuelo #10 of Toronto FC celebrates his 2nd goal of the night by sliding on the pitch during 2019 MLS Cup Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Semifinal match between New York City FC and Toronto FC at Citi Field on October 23, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Toronto FC won the match with a score of 2 to 1 and advances to the Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
QUEENS, NY – OCTOBER 23: Alejandro Pozuelo #10 of Toronto FC celebrates his 2nd goal of the night by sliding on the pitch during 2019 MLS Cup Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Semifinal match between New York City FC and Toronto FC at Citi Field on October 23, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Toronto FC won the match with a score of 2 to 1 and advances to the Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /

2. Alejandro Pozuelo

2017 MLS Cup Champions Toronto FC travelled to the Eastern Conference number one seeds New York City FC on Wednesday night. And they came away with a big victory, in large part thanks to the brilliance of Alejandro Pozuelo.

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Pozuelo scored both of Toronto’s goals in a 2-1 victory. Playing in a false-nine position in the absence of Jozy Altidore, Pozuelo was the difference-maker. His first saw terrific anticipation, gambling on Maxime Chanot’s mistake to collect a loose ball in the penalty area and then sliding a neat finish into the bottom corner.

His second was just outrageous. It may have been only been a penalty kick. But the calmness and composure to finish in the way he did, at the time he did, is a beautiful illustration of his clinical, ruthless nature in the biggest moments. His Panenka gave Toronto a 2-1 lead, which they held on to through stoppage time.

The Spaniard scored 12 in the regular campaign, along with a further 12 assists, and his postseason run is now getting going with two goals and an assist in two games. TFC will face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference finals next week.

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