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.
Five most memorable Seattle Sounders vs Columbus Crew Games
Share this story
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
The Seattle Sounders are playing in their fourth MLS Cup Final in five years and will be looking to win their second straight and third overall. This time around the Sounders will visit the Columbus Crew SC on Saturday.
I figured now would be a great time to look at the five most memorable games in Sounders-Crew history.
Oct. 3, 2009
The Sounders didn’t waste much time laying the groundwork for a potential rivalry with the Crew, hiring away Sigi Schmid to be their head coach under contentious circumstances. The first meeting between the teams ended in a 1-1 tie as well, but the rivalry got a kickstart in the return leg in Columbus. The Crew were riding a record 22-match home unbeaten streak and the two teams were in contention for the Supporters’ Shield during the late-season matchup. The Sounders grabbed an early lead through Roger Levesque and some strong play allowed th