IVES GALARCEP: Toronto FC 3-2 Columbus Crew. Expect the Crew to claim victory in the opener with Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore suspended, but that will set the stage for a full-strength TFC side to come back and overwhelm them in an action-packed second leg.
JON ARNOLD: Toronto FC 3-3 Columbus Crew (Columbus advances on away goals). Look for the Crew's stunning run to continue, with Ola Kamara able to find holes in Toronto's often impermeable defense and TFC missing Giovinco and Altidore for the first leg because of suspension.
THOMAS FLOYD: Toronto FC 2-2 Columbus Crew (Toronto advances on away goals). It's tough to bet against Columbus in the first leg, with a shorthanded TFC side going into a #SaveTheCrew-fueled atmosphere at Mapfre Stadium. But Toronto has the attacking depth to keep that first result manageable before taking care of business at BMO Field in the second leg.
ALLEN RAMSEY: Toronto FC 3-4 Columbus Crew. The Crew are playing at a high level and can take full advantage of their home match before hanging on for dear life as Giovinco and Altidore return with a purpose for the second leg.
SETH VERTELNEY: Toronto FC 3-2 Columbus Crew. Toronto is not only one of the best teams the league has ever seen, but also one of the deepest. It's that depth that will help Greg Vanney's side overcome the absence of Altidore and Giovinco through suspension for the first leg. The duo's return should then give TFC the boost they need to take them to their second straight MLS Cup final.
BEN VALENTINE: Toronto FC 5-3 Columbus Crew. While Columbus has an excellent opportunity in the first leg with Toronto missing Giovinco and Altidore, Toronto has survived without its stars before. As long as TFC is able to not get mauled in the first leg, the Supporters' Shield winners should do enough in the return leg to push themselves to the MLS Cup.
IVES GALARCEP: Seattle Sounders 4-2 Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo are going to make things tough in the first leg at BBVA Compass Stadium, but the Sounders can still earn a result on the road before leaning on Clint Dempsey to win the series at CenturyLink Field.
JON ARNOLD: Seattle Sounders 3-1 Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo may keep it close in the first leg thanks to their remarkable home record, but expect their luck to run out in Seattle against the fluid Sounders.
THOMAS FLOYD: Seattle Sounders 3-2 Houston Dynamo. The international break gave Jordan Morris, Victor Rodriguez and Osvaldo Alonso time to work their way back toward full fitness, and a healthy Seattle team simply has too much firepower for the Dynamo to withstand.
ALLEN RAMSEY: Seattle Sounders 3-1 Houston Dynamo. The first leg in H-Town on that brutal pitch will be a slog, but the Sounders are getting healthy and will be overwhelming at home with a full cast.
SETH VERTELNEY: Seattle Sounders 4-1 Houston Dynamo. The two-week break between the conference semifinal and final is far too long for most, but the Sounders won't have been too upset with the layoff. Seattle was given the chance to get some of its injured stars healthy and back in the lineup — including Jordan Morris, who has been out since early September. Ultimately, Seattle's talent edge will prove too much for Houston.
BEN VALENTINE: Seattle Sounders 4-2 Houston Dynamo. The Sounders survived a tough round with Vancouver despite suffering through injury and suspension. They should be approaching full strength against the Dynamo, who deserve credit for pulling out a road win against Portland. However, it may prove difficult to repeat the feat against the reigning MLS champions.
