The 2015 MLS Cup knockout round definitely delivered the drama that comes with the win-or-go-home scenario. Now, it’s time for some good old fashioned two-legged action in the conference semifinals.
The lower seeds will get the first crack at homefield advantage over the top two seeds, who enjoyed a nice bye while the others played for their playoff lives. Let’s break down those first leg matchups – all four of which will be held on Sunday, November 1 – and see who will have the advantage in the second leg the following week.
Meanwhile, check out our preview of the big Sunday Night Football showdown between the Packers and Broncos here.
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2015 MLS Cup Conference Semifinals Preview – First Leg
DC United vs. New York Red Bulls (3:00 PM ET)
[sc:Soccer240banner ]It was that man, Chris Rolfe, once again who scored the decisive goal in DC United’s 2-1 win against the Revolution. United now has the unenviable task of facing the Supporters’ Shield-winning New York Red Bulls in the semis, but United has historically held its own at home. United is unbeaten in its last four home games against the Red Bulls, with three wins and a 2-2 draw earlier this year.
On the flip side, the Red Bulls will be one of the most in-form teams heading into the playoffs, having won four of their last five games. With the attacking talents of Bradley Wright-Phillips, Lloyd Sam and Sacha Kljestan, the Red Bulls will almost certainly have a vital away goal or two to take back home for the second leg. The Red Bulls scored 27 goals away from home this season, the most in MLS.
Writer’s Prediction
DC United hangs on for a 1-1 draw at home.
Portland Vancouver vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (5:00 PM ET)
Portland needed penalty kicks to get past a spirited Sporting Kansas City at home in a knockout game that finished 2-2 after 120 minutes. The Timbers got a bit lucky to still be in the hunt, but conceding just 13 goals at home in the regular season, which was the best in the league, was hardly lucky.
The win sets up a big semifinal matchup against their rivals to the north, the Vancouver Whitecaps, who had the benefit of the bye after fading in the homestretch. Prior to their 3-0 win over Houston on Decision Day, the Caps had gone winless in their last seven games (five losses, two draws).
The Timbers have the significant advantage over their northern neighbors in recent matchups. They have won six, drawn six and lost just two of their 14 ever meetings in MLS.
Writer’s Prediction
The Timbers get the road win over the Whitecaps, 2-1.
Montreal Impact vs. Columbus Crew (7:00 PM ET)
The Montreal Impact basically swept aside Canadian rivals Toronto FC, 3-0, at home. Didier Drogba kept up his terrific record of 12 goals in 12 MLS games. With its win in the knockout round, Montreal has now won four games and a row and six-straight games at Stade Saputo, scoring at least two goals in all six.
Despite that formidable home record, it’ll be tough to keep the free-scoring Columbus Crew off the score sheet. The Crew proved that they were not completely reliant on top scorer Kei Kamara and Federico Higuain, who combined for 30 goals this season. The two missed out on Decision Day due to suspension, but the Crew still lit up a very solid DC United defense for five goals.
The Crew won the two clubs’ first meeting this season at home, but the Impact won the next two (including one at Columbus) prior to Drogba’s arrival.
Writer’s Prediction
The Impact escape with a 3-2 home win over the Columbus Crew.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. FC Dallas (9:30 PM ET)
After a crazy opening that saw four goals in the first 22 minutes, Sounders FC eventually edged out the rival Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 in the knockout round. Homefield advantage held firm for the Sounders, who went 11-4-2 at CenturyLink Field this season and have now gone unbeaten in their last eight home games (seven wins, one draw).
As good as FC Dallas was at home during the regular season, it was just as shaky on the road (5-8-4). In their lone visit to Seattle this season, the Sounders spanked them, 3-0. Moreover, the Sounders in their six years in existence have lost just once to Dallas (10 meetings, seven wins).
Dallas boasts a very well-balanced attack that saw six players score five or more goals this season. However, the Sounders have the star power with Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey, who has now scored three times in his last two games after opening the scoring against LA.
Writer’s Prediction
The Sounders get the slight edge as they win 2-1 at home.
