After a brief hiatus due to the international break, the MLS playoffs resume with the first legs of the conference finals.
The New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United, the top two teams in the regular season, square off in the Eastern Conference final, which promises to be a salivating matchup. Over in the Western Conference, top-seeded Sporting Kansas City takes on the surging Portland Timbers, who will try to keep their monumental run going.
With so much intrigue surrounding both conference finals, here are some storylines and players to watch ahead of Sunday’s games.
Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls
It’s a shame this isn’t the MLS Cup final, but staging two games between these sides should be fantastic entertainment.
This matchup pits the best attack against the top defence, but it was the Red Bulls who dominated both matches during the regular season. New York’s 2-0 win on Sept. 30 ultimately led to the side clinching the Supporters’ Shield on Decision Day.
Elsewhere, Gerardo “Tata” Martino is closing in on the Mexico job, so he would surely like to finish his two-year stint in Atlanta with an MLS Cup triumph.
Storyline to watch: The tactical battle. The 3-5-2 system deployed by Martino helps Atlanta United absorb pressure and provides ample width for the team. This was on full display in the conference semifinals versus New York City FC. It also allows MLS Golden Boot winner Josef Martinez and playmaker Miguel Almiron to partner up front. Almiron assisted six of Martinez’s 33 goals which was more than any other player, so their chemistry is clearly a huge factor.
The Red Bulls can switch from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2, but their energetic pressing and rapid movement can be troublesome for the opposition. Atlanta struggled with both of these characteristics in the previous two meetings this year. New York’s tendency to quickly move the ball meant that United was late to react.
Tim Parker’s first goal of the season is a big one as RBNY makes it 2-0 against Atlanta United (:@NewYorkRedBulls) pic.twitter.com/gHoL8Mafjh
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) September 30, 2018
Player to watch (Atlanta United): Miguel Almiron. When Almiron is on the pitch, Atlanta United’s attack is practically unstoppable. Martinez is also much more threatening around the box when he has a playmaker like Almiron who can connect with him at a moment’s notice.
Player to watch (New York Red Bulls): Tyler Adams. The teenager was absent from the last meeting against Atlanta on Sept. 30 and the Red Bulls still won. With his energy, intelligent movement in the final third and ability to seamlessly recover possession, Adams will be leaned on to shut down Almiron and the rest of Atlanta’s attack along with his midfield partner, Sean Davis.
Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City
Storyline to watch: Sporting Kansas City’s approach. Peter Vermes’ side is one of the few MLS teams who can seamlessly switch from utilizing a free-flowing attacking shape to a grittier, more organized system. Portland tore apart the Seattle Sounders in the conference semifinals when Seattle opted to sit back at Providence Park, although Vermes won’t be afraid to take the game to the Timbers.
Player to watch (Portland Timbers): Sebastian Blanco. Only Diego Valeri (24) has been involved in more goals for the Portland Timbers than Blanco (20) during the regular season. However, it’s the latter who has already struck twice in the playoffs. Blanco’s ability to drift across the front line with his brilliant dribbling, close control and ability to target small pockets of space in opposing defences make him a constant threat.
Player to watch (Sporting Kansas City): Graham Zusi. The man who will be tasked with marking Blanco, Zusi will have to be on high alert defensively for obvious reasons. However, Zusi is one of Kansas City’s protagonists in attack. It’s not just the seven assists from right-back, either. The U.S. international is among the league leaders in expected goal chain and expected buildup in MLS, via American Soccer Analysis. In other words, most of Kansas City’s scoring chances filter through Zusi.
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