Columbus Crew SC heads to Toronto to face Toronto FC for the Second Leg of the Eastern Conference Championship. The match is set for 8 p.m. ET at BMO Field.
Here's what you should keep an eye on:
2nd Time’s the Charm
The Black & Gold will clinch a spot in the 2017 MLS Cup by defeating the Reds or drawing against the Reds by a score of 1-1 or higher due to the away goals rule. In Leg 1 of the Eastern Conference Championship the two teams battled for a scoreless draw at MAPFRE Stadium. The Black & Gold will now head north in a winner-take-all series.
He’s a 'Keeper
Crew SC’s goalkeeper Zack Steffen has proven to be a vital component throughout the Black & Gold’s regular season and the playoffs. Since the beginning of the Playoffs and through the First Leg of the Conference Championships, no other goalkeeper has registered more saves, faced more shots, or faced more shots on target than Steffen. The 22-year-old has registered 14 saves dating back to Crew SC’s Eastern Conference Knockout Round match against Atlanta United FC and faced 66 shots with 17 of those being on target.
Guess Who’s Back
Toronto’s star forwards Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco are set to return for Leg 2 after being suspended for Leg 1 in Columbus. The addition of Altidore and Giovinco will create a whole new dynamic for the Reds. With about 30 goals split between them, the dynamic duo both finished 2017 in the top 10 in the League in goals scored, with no other MLS striking tandem coming close to that production, according to MLSsoccer.com.
