3 keys: Sounders aim to clinch trip to MLS Cup in 2nd leg of conference finals vs Colorado

Despite going into the second leg of the Western Conference finals with a 2-1 lead over the Colorado Rapids, the Sounders still have a tough 90-plus minutes separating them from their first MLS Cup Final appearance.

The Rapids have been one of the best teams in all of MLS in 2016, especially on the defensive side. Of course, I said all of this and more before the first leg. Things are different now, but the Rapids should not be underestimated. They played well in Seattle, but the home side was buoyed by its supporters and two talismans: Nicolas Lodeiro and Jordan Morris. Now, the Sounders just have to find a way to hold onto their lead in Colorado and not let the early away goal they conceded to the Rapids come back to haunt them.

Here are three keys as the Sounders take on the Rapids at 1 p.m. Sunday on AM 770 KTTH:

1. Midfield battles will again be crucial.

A big storyline from the first leg was yet another great performance by Seattle’s Cristian Roldan in central midfield, especially up against USMNT veteran Jermaine Jones. The Rapids’ other key player in that role, Sam Cronin, is suspended for the second leg, so he’ll likely be replaced by former Sounder Michael Azira, who has also had quite the season in Colorado. How Roldan matches up against his former teammate could ultimately play a huge role in how this one shakes out. Of course, Ozzie Alonso vs. Jones will be as fierce as ever and could be the source of key set piece opportunities or disciplinary decisions.

2. Star forwards are even closer to full health.

An important attacker from each team played at less than full health on Tuesday: Morris for the Sounders and Shkelzen Gashi for the Rapids. Both played big roles in their teams’ respective goals despite not being fully fit. All signs point to both players being much closer to 100 percent on Sunday, which means that both teams’ attacking units will be that much more potent and fluid. Look for each to make an impact in the second leg.

3. How will the Sounders approach this one?

A key feature of Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer’s mentality since spearheading the Sounders’ late-season revolution in 2016 is his adherence to a pretty singular strategy and tactic. He’s employed a quick-passing, possession-based version of a 4-2-3-1 in nearly every match. In the one match that he really tried something different, an away game against Vancouver, he adjusted quickly after his new plan saw his team play poorly and go down a goal early. Even in the second leg of the conference semifinals in Dallas, when his team was up 3-0, he refused to bunker down completely. With the margins tighter and the stakes higher Sunday than in Dallas, will he continue to play the brand of soccer he has instilled in his team since July? It could go off well and earn his team an insurance away goal or two, or it could fail spectacularly and open them up to a 1-0 loss, Colorado’s specialty at home.

Spenser Davis also covers the Sounders for Sounder at Heart.