Columbus.- The glory is only 90 minutes away. The Portland Timbers are looking for their first MLS Cup, Columbus Crew SC is up to the challenge to obtain its second one since 2008. Who will prevail on Sunday? It’s hard to tell. Having a home field advantage for the hosts is a huge factor to consider, and the odds favor the Ohioans. However, the visitors did not get here by accident and as Diego Valeri said on the set of ESPN FC: “We know we can win here.”
The Argentine maestro didn’t try to guarantee anything; they already did it. Portland beat Columbus 2-1 at Mapfre Stadium in their only regular season meeting on September 26th. But tomorrow is a different story, Crew SC’s made serious improvements on defense that allowed them to shut down the Giovinco’s, Drogba and Wright-Phillips of the world in their route to the final. Fanendo Adi is next on their list.
The Portland striker scored twice in his last visit to Columbus, but Gastón Sauro was not present. Of course is not a matter of an individual match up, it’s about blocking his sources, the same way they did it with Montreal and New York. The difference is the Timbers can create danger with their mid-range shooters (Valeri and Asprilla could be lethal from the distance), and that adds an extra caution into the mix.
There is no secret Crew SC attacks from the flanks more than any other team in the League; the Timbers will try to minimize the number of crosses from the open play. The ball movement through the middle will become crucial for Columbus. This is where the role of Tony Tchani will get bigger, not Will Trapp, not Higuaín. His passing accuracy and deep runs will make a difference, don’t be surprised to see him stepping into the box more often than not.
In their past two series with Montreal and New York, Columbus traded his signature possession game for a high press. Against the Timbers most likely they will go back to having the ball because Portland doesn’t need to, they are so good in transition that they can reach the box with four touches and score.
If Crew SC bullied the Red Bulls to stop them from building up their game, Portland would try to do the same with Will Trapp. The midfielder is the passing lung of this team, and if the Timbers force him to commit turnovers it will compromise the center of their soccer structure
This game will come down to the wire. Crew SC averages 2.3 goals per game at Mapfre Stadium, and the Timbers scored at least two goals in their last three road games. No lack of offensive power on neither side of the pitch.
2-1 Columbus.
