Welcome to another edition of "Discuss," in which MLSsoccer.com editors debate the topics of the moment in MLS. This week, we take a look at a which teams might push things to the brink this Sunday...
We made it through the Knockout Round of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs without seeing a single game settled by penalty shootout. With the second leg of the Conference Semifinals now approaching, we'll get another four chances to see kicks from the spot decide a team's postseason fate. So we asked our staff, which Conference Semifinal series is most likely to be settled by penalty kicks?
Senior Editors Andrew Wiebe, Matt Doyle and Arielle Castillo, Editor-in-Chief Simon Borg and contributor Sam Stejskal all chimed in, but we'd also like to hear your take in the comments below!
=Note that the only way these home-and-home aggregate series can go to penalties is if the home team in the second leg obtains the exact same result as the home team in the first leg at the end of 90 minutes, and the aggregate score is still tied after 30 minutes of extra time. For example, since Toronto FC won 2-0 in the first leg at home, New York City FC would need a 2-0 win at Yankee Stadium to force extra time and possibly penalties.
WIEBE: Easy choice
Colorado-LA. I’ll be shocked if it’s not a clean sweep from my fellow editors. Nothing screams Rapids more than a 1-0 win at home.
DOYLE: More Metro on tap?
New York Red Bulls-Montreal. With the Impact bunkering for 90, a 1-0 RBNY win is entirely plausible. If you're going to Red Bull Arena this weekend, bring your heart meds.
BORG: Watch for an epic comeback
Dallas-Seattle. Given how well LA, Montreal and Toronto can counter, there’s a good chance we’ll see away goals in their Conference Semis. However, I can see a scenario where Dallas slowly chip away at a more conservative Seattle throughout their match and potentially nip them at the very end on aggregate.
STEJSKAL: The obvious choice is...
I'll go with the obvious choice, for all the obvious reasons: Colorado and LA. Give me Montreal vs. New York as a special bonus pick.
CASTILLO: The conditions are right for...
Colorado vs. LA, naturally. The goal differential right now is small, and Colorado is unbeaten at home. With that and the altitude, the Galaxy might face an uphill battle — but their defense isn’t exactly shabby, either.
