TORONTO – As goes the midfield, so goes the rest.

With the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs set to resume on Tuesday when Toronto FC travels to Columbus to face Crew SC in Leg 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, all eyes are focused on the midfield in what is shaping up to be a tactical battle par excellence.

Between club captain Wil Trapp, the ever-tricky Federico Higuain, Pedro Santos, and Justin Meram, or whoever else Gregg Berhalter opts to field for Columbus, Toronto will have their hands full come game time.

“It will be very strategic in the midfield; that's probably where the series will be determined,” said assistant coach Nick Theslof. “They're going to have to deal with our midfield as well.”

While all four members of the expected Columbus midfield pose individual threats, two in particular pose specific challenges: Trapp and Higuain.

“Wil is a perfect piece for what Gregg likes to do,” said Greg Vanney. “He's that defensive midfielder who is very tidy with the ball, drops back into the back-line to help play out. He does a great job of linking the game; he's got the legs to cover a lot of ground.”

Named club captain at the start of the season, the 24-year old played all 34 matches in this his fifth season since signing a homegrown contract in December 2012.

“His strength is when they have the ball,” added Vanney. “That's what Gregg likes his teams to do: they want to have the ball as much as possible and want to move you around. Wil's movement is pivotal in [their] ability to get from the back to the midfield to the front. He's continued to grow and learn the game.”

Said Jonathan Osorio, who has faced Trapp many times over the last five years: “He's a great player, he's grown so quickly into leader for that team. I respect that, a club that takes a young player and wants to make him a leader. If he controls the game, it will be tough for us.”

Some have touted Trapp as the heir-apparent to Michael Bradley's position in the US men's national team and the two have crossed paths in camp.

“He is a very good and very important player for their team; the way they go about things,” said Bradley. “Not just for the way they play, from everything you read and hear, for what goes on on the inside of their group. He's a guy we have to try to make things difficult on.”

Where Trapp is that solid, metronomic player at the base of the midfield, Higuain is the wildcard at its tip.

“He's a player like me: always trying to get the ball, to make the game, to play to the forwards,” said Victor Vazquez of the Argentine. “He's running everywhere, trying to find the spaces between the lines. He's the dangerous guy on their team.” 

“They also have Meram, [Ola] Kamara, and Santos, but [Higuain] makes the game for Columbus,” noted Vazquez. “Trying to find the doors between midfielders. He's one of the best players in this competition.”

Pipa, as Higuain is known, loves playing against TFC, registering six goals and six assists in 14 matches.

“He's keeps getting wiser as the years go by,” said Osorio of the designated player in his sixth MLS season. “He makes an impact, puts up stats. He's very tough player to play against.”

And, as ever, Toronto have to expect the unexpected when it comes to Higuain.

Laughed Vanney: “He'll try [to chip the keeper] every series at some point.”

“He's a very clever player, smart about how he moves around, manipulates spaces and numbers,” said Vanney. “In their rotations they do a number of things to try to open up pockets. He moves into those pockets and it becomes difficult to account for him in all situations.” 

“He's technically so clean and clever with the ball and sees things. That's why you get him trying flicks, chips, various things,” continued Vanney. “He's smart about where he moves to find pockets and then he'll try anything in any moment to gain an edge for his team. We have to know where he is at all times.”