SAME CAST, NEW SCRIPT FOR CREW
Sixteen days after sealing their spot in the two-leg Eastern final, Toronto FC will kick off the penultimate round of Major League Soccer’s playoffs against the Crew in Columbus on Tuesday night. What stands between the Reds and a second straight trip to the MLS Cup final? A team with plenty of attacking options, a retooled defence and — like TFC — redemption on its mind:
KAMARA READY
Norwegian striker Ola Kamara has just one goal in six games against the Reds over the past two seasons, but shouldn’t be underestimated with 35 goals overall in his first two MLS seasons, including one in these playoffs. Kamara dominates in and around the six-yard box, but will also shoot from distance.
D-PLUS
Coach Gregg Berhalter and the Crew have been grilled about ways to break down TFC’s defence, which allowed just 37 goals in the regular season. Since the beginning of August, though, the Reds have allowed more goals in regulation time (17) than the Crew (15). Once Columbus found a starting lineup that worked and stuck with it, the defence solidified. It will be a tough test for TFC, especially with strikers Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore serving one-game suspensions.
MIDFIELD MAGIC
Michael Bradley and Victor Vazquez developed a strong midfield partnership over the course of Toronto FC’s season, combining the captain’s defensive brawn with Vazquez’s offensive flair. They will face a similar pair in Columbus. Holding midfielder Will Trapp, already the Crew’s captain at age 24, has been described as a younger version of Bradley, while Vazquez (eight goals, 16 assists) has compared himself to Crew attacking midfielder Federico Higuain (nine goals, 14 assists).
PHYSICAL TOUCH
The Reds’ semifinal against the Red Bulls devolved into what coach Greg Vanney called “a little bit about soccer and a lot about nonsense” in a physical second leg. While they aren’t expecting a repeat against Columbus, the Crew could go that route if they struggle to contain TFC’s fluid passing game. It nearly worked for New York.
SHOT AT REDEMPTION
Toronto isn’t the only team haunted by memories of a lost MLS Cup. The Crew missed out in the 2015 final against the Portland Timbers in Ohio, and many of those players are still in the mix.