Offense:
 
Rochester has been led by league MVP finalist Kirk Wilson who, along with his supporting cast, has made the Raging Rhinos more of an offensive threat in 2005.  I’ve also been a fan of Jonathan Bolanos, their tricky Costa Rican international. A member of the finalist Seattle Sounders last year; he is capable of changing a game with a goal or an assist.

Richmond advanced without scoring a goal in regulation or OT in the first round, but when it came to PK’s they nailed five out of five.  I will stick with assessment from the first round in that the Kickers do have many players that are capable of scoring more than one goal.

Advantage: Rochester

Defense: 

The Rhinos brought back two-time defender of the year Scott Schweitzer and, along with a plethora of other veteran defenders, Rochester now has one of the most experienced back-lines in the league.  They are also fortunate to have two excellent goalkeepers that will make it difficult for Richmond to score.

Richmond’s defense can be matched against any team in the USL First Division when it comes to experience. As they showed against Vancouver, they are extremely resilient and very capable of not giving up a goal.

Advantage:  Even

Intangibles: 

Even though Richmond was able to advance to the 2002 Championship game going through Rochester, Frontier Field, along with its 11th man (over 10,000 fans), could prove to be the difference in this series.

Advantage:  Rochester

Prediction:  Rochester, but this one might come down to PK’s as it did in 2002, in which case anyone can win.

Offense: 

Montreal’s offense was hit hard by the loss of Ali Gerba earlier in the year with his departure to Europe.  However, the Impact still has the experience of Mauro Biello and Eduardo Sebrango, who can both tally goals at any time during a game.

Seattle’s Roger Levesque carried the offense in the first round with three goals and will look to extend his hot-streak against the stingiest defense in the league.

Advantage:  Even

Defense: 

Montreal’s goals against average in 2005 says it all.  They only conceded 16 goals, a record low for the league.  With the rise of several of the defenders into the ranks of the Canadian National Team, Montreal has developed one of the best defenses in North America.

Seattle shut down Portland’s red hot offense in the first round and will look to extend it’s shutout streak against the regular season league champs.  Preston Burpo will have to be on form to deny Montreal the opportunity of a repeat championship.

Advantage: Montreal

Intangibles: 

It’s the 2004 Championship game all over again, except this time Seattle gets a home game.  The game in Seattle could prove the difference in this series.  If Seattle can earn a win at home in the first game then they are more than capable of defending a lead over 90 minutes at Claude Robaillard.

Advantage:  Montreal

Prediction:  Montreal

Mike Anhaeuser is the head coach of the Charleston Battery. The thoughts and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do represent the views of USL or USLsoccer.com. Anhaeuser's Take archive >>