Sporting Kansas City (4-7-7, 12th in West) vs. Chicago Fire (5-7-7, 9th in East)
It’s a bit surprising to see Sporting Kansas City at the bottom of the Western Conference table, but that is where they are after a 5-1 reverse to LAFC and the first back-to-back home losses since 2016. Relief may come in the form of a team they are 4-0-2 against all-time at Children’s Mercy Park.
The Fire have yet to win on the road this season, but this past Wednesday saw a stunning 5-1 win against Atlanta United. Rather, it was a scintillating first half for the Fire as they did not have the same intensity until late in the second half. The Fire have had 50 shots in their last two games. They only managed one goal from 26 shots against Red Bulls last Saturday, but the finishing was far more clinical from 24 shots against the Five Stripes last Wednesday.
Trying to build from that victory (and actually play with the same intensity for 90 minutes rather than 45) will be key to the Fire turning a corner or turning three corners and going in circles.
Three players on Sporting KC make up 75% of the goals so far this season in Kristian Nemeth, Johnny Russell, and Felipe Gutierrez. Russell is a question mark with a hamstring injury, but the other two should be available to get Sporting’s season back on track. Also a question mark is Graham Zusi with an adductor injury.
If the Fire are going to get above the red line in the East, they need to be more clinical and turn “expected goals” into actual goals which will lead to a greater chance of actual wins and for the Fire to match expectations by actually reaching the playoffs.
Kickoff is at 7:30pm CT on ESPN+.
INJURIES:
SPORTING KANSAS CITY:
OUT: F – Erik Hurtado (right knee surgery 3/19, out 2-3 months)
OUT: D – Jaylin Lindsey (torn meniscus 3/30, out 4-5 months)
OUT: D – Rodney Wallace (hip surgery 4/23, out 4-6 months)
OUT: M – Roger Espinoza (knee injury 4/23, out 2-3 months)
QUESTIONABLE: D/M – Jimmy Medranda (hamstring injury)
QUESTIONABLE: M – Johnny Russell (hamstring injury)
QUESTIONABLE: D – Graham Zusi (adductor injury)
CHICAGO FIRE:
QUESTIONABLE: Johan Kappelhof (D) – thigh injury
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW:
SKC: Benny Feilhaber, Ilie Sanchez
CHI: Francisco Calvo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mo Adams
INTERNATIONAL DUTY:
CHI: Djordje Mihailovic (USA)
Referee: Joe Dickerson
Assistant Referees: Matthew Nelson, Mike Rottersman
4th Official: Mark Allatin
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
LAST YEAR:
3/10/18: CHI 3-4 SKC
