This is it, the one
and only match we are we were waiting for, Major League Soccer final and in its
2016 edition with two Cinderella squads representing both of its Conferences.
With the Seattle
Sounders, making it their first trip to the league final after many attempts
and after playing the final, three times in the Western Conference and losing the big
one, this time the Rave Greens are in the grand fete.
As many know that the
Emerald City squad, since its inception, they have been actively participating
in the postseason uninterruptedly, this time they came with the label of
underdogs, despite their all-around efforts after an odd campaign.
These did the
ultimate of feats and they deliver to their hardcore and loyal legion of
followers the unthinkable of playing a final, alongside with a new man at their
helm considered an alumnus from the organization since it early NASL days.
For Manager Brian
Schmetzer to play the role of interim to full time Manager, after all of his
accomplishments in the regular season of leveling the club into postseason
contention to a brilliant and wondrous postseason run, as those results speak
for themselves for a present time hardened Sounders.
With his 4-2-3-1
formation considered as his favorite to use against the Toronto FC after the
Queen City squad dominate their 401 foes the Montreal Impact after these used
4-3-3 and Greg Vanney all around strategies worked wonders against this
formation.
Putting in a dire
situation the strategies that already were working for newcomer Seattle Boss,
now he has a lot to think about and evaluate how and when he will be putting in
play a new set of strategies to stop the TFC revival.
For Toronto FC being
the other Cinderella squad and after playing their second postseasons since
their inception and these never making it to the playoffs after always posting
modest campaigns, after several Bosses, finally Greg Vanney delivered to BMO
Field.
As last campaign,
their elimination came too soon and their participation in the postseason was a
brief one that the front office think tanks here in Queen City finally started
deliberating of how to deliver a winning squad to its utmost loyal fan base.
Down but not out was
the motto for the Reds of the TFC, after eliminating a total favorite in the
NYCFC considered as the overall candidate to take it all, with the arsenal in
their initial eleven the underdogs from up north did it.
Very well losing to
Montréal and after being in the canvas these did get up and put on a fight and
despite coming short in their quest to win or draw, their away goals and
reaction touted as win.
Still the outcome or
second leg became more of a concern for the City of Mary chaps going to always
difficult BMO Field to decide this affair between them and with another furious
reaction and for their Manager playing his cards right, voila, the miracle
consumed.
So far for second
year Greg Vanney in the helm of the TFC, he has really turned this club into a total
contender and a fighter that never gives up despite the oddities presented in
all the campaign, at the end he produce results.
Very well playing an
unorthodox 3-5-2 formations that has delivered all round satisfaction and hence
the latest outcome of the Toronto FC Boys being in the grand finale!
After writing history
in the semifinals, seeing two Canadian squads for the first time playing it,
now they are as a north of the border squad playing for the league shield as a
first too and with a win they can round and rewire history in a spectacular
way.
Suddenly experts
place the Toronto squad as all-around favorites in the final, as the Seattle
Boys can play the role of underdogs and become as the spoilers at the end.
This event does not
guarantee any advantage for no one at the end.
With the tale of the
tape for both Toronto and Seattle, this will give us an update for both squads
a comparison in each of its positions and as many state before the big fight as
pound per pound confrontation.
Let us analyze each
squad possible initial elevens before the grand finale considered in this
edition of Major league Soccer as an unusual and different from other finals.
Goalies:
Outstanding is the word
that I am looking for, to describe the spectacular and one of a kind
performances given by both squads keepers, if this final would been decided by penalties,
both squads strikers will have a tough time trying to beat these two men.
In this entire postseason,
Toronto’s Clint Irwin has allowed six goals and seen at times shaky, but this
chap can perform under the nets of the Reds, he is one of the reasons his Reds
are in this stages.
In comparison to Seattle’s
Stefan Frei just allowing three goals in the postseason since its start, the
Sounders man has shown a lot of character and all around resolve in defending his
nets not falling prey to anyone.
Advantage: Seattle
Sounders
Defense:
The heart and soul of
every initial eleven and with this important element, its how matches are
decided in the end, especially if these squad backfield shows off decided to be
a stingy one all ninety minutes of the whole match.
Let’s take on Seattle
fab four, as their Manager Brian Schmetzer uses a traditional 4-2-3-1 formation
with Roman Torres and Chad Marshall in its center and these believe me can do a
lot of damage to any squad opposing strikers neutralizing their attack.
On their side with
Joevin Jones and Tyrone Mears, the Rave Greens have some insurance to prevent
any squad of penetrating their flanks and these aided by Ozzie Alonso and
Cristian Roldan, the Seattle backfield is a sure brick wall for anyone’s offensive
attack.
Taking on Toronto’s
unorthodox formation adopted by their Boss Greg Vanney, this chap using a 3-5-2 with just three defenders
considered gold for their defensive Nick Hagglund, Drew Moor and Eriq Zavaleta.
These are very capable
of putting an abrupt stop to any striker’s malicious and bad intended attack,
very well reinforced by a brilliant midfield with Steve Breitashur and Justin
Morrow playing both offensive and defensively.
Toronto can overcome and
neutralize any squad all around attack towards its posts and stop cold in its
tracks any squad momentum with a defensive gem.
Advantage: A slight
edge for Seattle
Midfield:
The fearsome five are
the responsible for Greg Vanney success in this campaign, with Steven Breitashur
and Justin Morrow playing defense and offense, these can be incorporated into the
TFC attack under the wise direction of USMNT Michael Bradley this accompanied by
Armando Cooper and Jonathan Osorio.
As the main
orchestrator and conductor of the TFC offensive attack in Bradley, this chap
can direct and mobilize his men in different directions in order to assure a
fantastic finish for both of his front men.
Very well, for
Manager Bradley mobilizing in his bench with Benoit Cheyrou, Tosaint Ricketts
and an experienced Will Johnson, his moves can become very fruitful for the
second year man at the helm of the Toronto squad.
For Seattle the
approach used by his Manager Schmetzer is with two men in the back in Ozzie
Alonso and Cristian Roldan this playing like there is no tomorrow, using these
two to reinforce the backfield as well the frontal attack.
With a trio of gold
in Eriq Friberg in the center and on the sides Rookie sensation Jordan Morris
and the best ever DP in Nicolas Lodeiro, the Seattle attack in its midfield now
looks solid and full of initiative that at times their foes do not have the opportunity
to handle the ball.
Seattle just rely on
a lone attacker in a resurgent and
surprising Nelson Valdez to cause havoc on the opposing squads nets, very well
if the Paraguayan does not hold his weight, these rely on Jordan Morris and
Nicolas Lodeiro.
These two can really
define and look for the opportune moment to cause serious damages to any of their
foes posts.
Very well showing a strong
and consistent with Alvaro Fernandez, Herculez Gomez, brad Evans and Andreas
Ivanshitz, the Sounders can make the impossible and turn the tides in their
favor.
Advantage: Seattle
Forwards:
The Seattle offense so far based on a one-man
attack in its front, with a renascent Nelson Valdez this chap all of a sudden
has surprised many in this postseason with his one of a kind performances,
still his status and performances are day to day.
For Seattle their main
man in their attack despite these two playing as wingers, Jordan Morris and
Nicolas Lodeiro are a part of the Emerald City resurgence since the Uruguay
native arrival at Century Link, has lifted and turn things around in favor of the
Sounder’s.
For Toronto having a
one of a kind duo and these playing as a sort of a dynamic duo, both internationals
in Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, these two can put any opposing defense
in peril and its goalies in tension.
Ask that to a
Montreal, NYCFC and Philadelphia backfields that succumbed to these two fury
and with the results that speak for themselves, no wonder they call tis fiery Italian
the Atomic Ant, because he is unstoppable.
Advantage: Toronto
At the end both squads
can generate a one of a kind spectacle that can put anyone in attendance came Saturday
December 10 in the edge of its seats and provides us with an all-around top class
match, worthy to call it the Grand finale.
Can we have another
epic final as the one we witnessed last year between the Portland Timbers and
Columbus Crew, will this 2016 surpass last year stunner , there will be one way
to find out!
Post
Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property
of © Toronto Football Club 2016
Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property
of © Seattle Sounders Football Club 2016
Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property
of © Don Poss, Dan Hamilton USA Today and Lindsey Wasson Seattle Times 2016
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Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer. com 2016
Eddie Howe is one
happy and proud chap, after his group did the unthinkable of spoiling the title
race for the Liverpool Reds and derailing for their Boss Jürgen Klopp his plans,
with a come from behind win at home.
With many situating
this man one day into the helm of the Three Lions squads and seen as a promise
due to his push and dynamic he brings to his squad into the field.
In their last five
matches the AFC squad has lost to the likes of Arsenal, Boro and Sunderland and
with wins over Stoke City and now Liverpool situates this squad in a good position in the overall table as well maybe this can be motivation to show off
more consistency in their game.
This is something the
AFC Boys are fighting for, looking forward to make a bold move in the table and
maybe be fighting in the second half for a European spot, instead of fighting
for their permanency at its end.
To conclude, this
edition of Premiership I must say, that is as contested as always, as many of
us follow it course in the top four squads, now we will be seeing it in this
middle and bottom of whom at the end can go down and who will prevail.
