The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs continued this past weekend as all the Conference Semifinals wrapped up, with a lot of surprise teams moving on to the next round. Two teams managed huge road results to help them advance, while the other two poured it on at home to seal their victory. Let’s take a look at how it all played out.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders
After a scoreless draw in the first round in Vancouver, Seattle came to play on their home turf and dominated the Whitecaps to the tune of a 2-0 win. Thanks to a brace from Clint Dempsey in the second half of the match, Vancouver was unable to jump-start their offense, which had been missing since the beginning of the match. The Sounders will now look to repeat as Western Conference champions as they play their next match on the 21st.
New York Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC
Toronto came out of Red Bull Arena with a 2-1 victory thanks to Sebastian Giovinco’s free kick in the first round of the two-game series. Back in Toronto, the Red Bulls forced Toronto to work their way to advance to the next round and came close to the upset when they took the 1-0 lead early in the 2nd half, thanks to a deflected shot. All New York needed to do was score another to complete the comeback, but TFC managed to hold on to the aggregate scoreline and survive at home. As the Reds head to the finals, they will be without both attackers Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco for the first leg. Altidore received a straight red card at halftime and Giovinco received his second yellow of the round, which suspends him due to accumulation.
Houston Dynamo vs. Portland Timbers
A scoreless draw in Houston a week prior, the Dynamo came into Portland having only won once in the regular season away from home. Despite that poor stat in the regular season, Houston managed to score two crucial away goals on Sunday to help silence the fans at Providence Park and advance to face Seattle in the finals. This continues the incredible comeback story for Houston, having finished dead last in the West just last year and now coming within two games of making the MLS Cup Final.
Columbus Crew vs. New York City FC
The dream run for the Crew is still alive and well. After a dramatic win against Atlanta in penalties in the knockout round and a 4-1 thrashing of NYCFC in the first leg of the semifinals, Columbus needed to hold on to the three goal advantage they had heading into Yankee Stadium. With New York’s potent offense, it was easier said than done as the Blues took a 1-0 lead early with a David Villa penalty. The home team added a second just after halftime and for a moment, it looked like they would be able to complete the comeback. With all the momentum going to New York, Columbus managed some big defensive plays, huge saves from Zach Steffen and a few lucky shots off the crossbar to survive and advance to the conference final.
Looking Ahead: Conference Finals
The 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs will take a week off for the international break and will resume on Tuesday, November 21st.
Columbus and Houston will host their first round games respectively. The Crew-Toronto match will be the first to take place at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN, while the Dynamo-Seattle game will be at 10:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1.
The second leg in the East will be in Toronto on the 29th at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1 while the Sounders will host Houston on the 30th at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN.
With all four teams hitting their stride heading into these final games, we’re in for some exciting playoff soccer to finish out the year.
