Once upon a time, there was a team in Kansas City who played in cavernous Arrowhead Stadium and were called “The Wiz.” Today they are among the best rivalries in American sports. Photo: Graham Green.
It is all or nothing yet again.
Same story, different tune for Sporting Kansas City.
It has come to the last match, the last home match on top of that, and Sporting Kansas City could again not make the playoffs due to a season full of coulda woulda shoulda’s.
After the 2012-13 season where the club looked a truly dominant force winning the MLS Cup and US Open Cup, not to mention making the knockout round of the CONCACAF Champions League and being all out competitive across the board the squad is still here attempting to replicate what they did in the past.
In comes a San Jose side who had only recently been eliminated from contention for a road play in game for the playoffs.
If the cards were played right a home fixture in the play in round could occur. With the Seattle Sounders and RSL playing each other a win against the Earthquakes and a draw in the Pacific Northwest could mean hosting against RSL.
Either team winning that fixture would mean a road trip in the playoffs. Only if Sporting KC doesn’t make a mess of things and fall at this final regular season hurdle.
What needs to be taken into account is the fact that playoff eliminated Vancouver Whitecaps host fellow Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers, and the reigning champions are on the outside looking in. Should things go the Timbers way at BC Place things really get interesting.
This the second year of MLS Decision Day is an added extra umph for those who are fans of the league and for those who are involved two hours full of nerves akin to a late round cup match.
We could ask the question ‘Why is Sporting KC in this same situation again’ but those who are well read of Prost Amerika and their talented array of MLS writers would know the answer if they were Sporting Kansas City fans.
The run in late spring and early summer say five points in 10 matches which included a rather undeserving positive results during that time.
The first three wins and five wins in eight matches have been what has made the difference in a season that could otherwise be considered a failure.
Why failure?
Being drawn in the CONCACAF Champions League group of death and not being in any way competitive in it. Early knockout in the US Open Cup, a competition that has been a nice bolster in key mid season lulls. Lack of transactions that have made serious difference on the season.
All told Sporting can mildly improve on the season by landing themselves a home playoff game before facing the always tricky two legged playoff gauntlet called by former NYRB striker and French legend Thierry Henry as the most difficult trophy to win in professional soccer.
Could some gloss and glitter cover the drollness of a season? Depends.
Could there be some magic left in the tank that is merely waiting for the post season to bring out? Maybe.
Fact is the Swope Park Rangers run should be looked at how you tackle an end of the season. Focus on this one game like your entire livelihood depends on it or let the team disperse as will happen this off season.
That’s that task ahead and godspeed.
