3 key battles that will determine the 2016 MLS Cup champion
This Saturday, the Seattle Sounders travel to Toronto FC to compete for the 2016 MLS Cup and while BMO Field will likely offer a chilly reception, there will be heated matchups across the park between these two talented teams.
Here are three key battles that could very well decide the tilt:
Michael Bradley vs. Nicolas Lodeiro
Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley has been immense during the playoffs and will need to have another strong showing if he is to lead his outfit to victory and glory.
Unlike Montreal Impact left-winger Ignacio Piatti or New York City FC striker David Villa, Seattle's creative ace Nicolas Lodeiro plays smack dab in Bradley territory and the two will be engaged in a battle throughout 90 minutes as a result.
If Lodeiro can get the better of Bradley, he can score goals or craft chances, as he has in eight separate times since joining the club midway through the season. As such, Bradley will need to keep one eye firmly on Lodeiro and another on the match.
Chad Marshall vs. Jozy Altidore
Many a central defender has tried - and failed - to contain Jozy Altidore during the MLS playoffs. It's why the U.S. striker has managed to score in each of his side's five postseason fixtures this season. How Chad Marshall handles Altidore could very well decide Seattle's fate in the MLS Cup final.
The problem with marking Altidore is two-fold; invest too many defenders to mark a striker who is both big-bodied and fleet-footed leaves a massive gap that one Sebastian Giovinco loves to expose; leave too few and Altidore will burn you with pace and power.
It's a delicate balance that very few teams have been able to handle over two legs, so in that regard, Seattle could theoretically keep both Altidore and Giovinco off the score sheet over 90 minutes. It's unlikely, but if anyone has the experience and skill to do it, it's Marshall.
Jordan Morris vs. Nick Hagglund
The benefit of utilizing a 3-5-2 formation is that, at any given time, you could have up to six players in defensive positions to recover on a fast counter-attack.
The problem comes when wide attacking players like Jordan Morris expose space left by full-backs like Justin Morrow stuck in advanced positions and then beat central defenders like Nick Hagglund in 1-on-1 situations.
As Dominic Oduro found out on multiple occasions in the 401 Derby series, that's the space to exploit in Toronto FC's defensive shape.
That's exactly what the Reds need to be aware of when taking on Seattle; Hagglund has been immense in the air but his footwork has been lacking and Morris is very much an on-the-ground attacker. How Hagglund and Drew Moor handle Morris streaking down the right could very much determine a winner.