Saturday's MLS Cup final is full of dramatic stories, and ESPN's analysts tell some of the most engrossing that will play out at Mapfre Stadium, break down how Columbus and Seattle match up, and predict who will lift this year's trophy.
Tactical matchup
In the run-up to Saturday's MLS Cup final, much of the focus was on the respective midfields. Which one could impose its will on the other and carry the game? With roughly 24 hours to go until kickoff, that's still true, though not for the reasons most observers imagined. The Crew will now be without midfield fulcrum Darlington Nagbe as well as winger Pedro Santos after the pair were deemed "medically not cleared to play," a staggering loss given what each player provides.