Columbus Crew vs Seattle Sounders Prediction & Betting Tips - Major League Soccer

Prediction published on 10/12/2020, 08:58  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 10/12/2020 at 09:59 in Major League Soccer Predictions

It's taken us ten months to get this far but on Sunday, Columbus Crew face Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final. Columbus Crew last won this cup 12 years ago but did reach the final five years ago. This match is taking place on their home ground, so that will help them in their quest for glory, though they did lose in the last final played in Columbus. They finished third in the Eastern Conference this season, six points behind top-of-the-table Philadelpia Union. That took them into the play-offs, where they came from behind to beat New York Red Bulls 3-2 in the first round. The quarter finals saw them have to go to extra time to get a 2-0 victory over Nashville SC. The semi-finals was another tight affair as they got past New England Revolution 1-0 to reach this final. They are unbeaten in their last four games and both teams have scored in four of their last six matches. Columbus have won their last six home games, with one loss in the last 21 over 90 minutes since a 2-1 loss to Seattle last July.

Seattle Sounders have a great recent record in the MLS Cup. They are the cup holders and only once since 2016 have they failed to reach the final with two wins. They finished second in the Western Conference this season finishing level with Sporting Kansas City but behind them on points percentage. The first round of the play-offs saw them comfortably beat Los Angeles FC 3-1. It was tighter in the quarter final as a 49th minute goal saw them defeat FC Dallas 1-0. The semi-final was an exciting affair but defeat looked likely as they were 2-0 down to Minnesota United going into the 75th minute. They got a goal back but with a minute of normal time left, they were still trailing 2-1. Two goals in the 89th and 90th minutes broke the hearts of the Minnesota team. They are unbeaten in their last four games with only one loss in the last nine. This should be a cracking final and Seattle can get the win to become the first team to retain the cup since Houston Dynamo in 2007.