FC Dallas defender Atiba Harris goes in for the tackle against Sporting Kansas City forward Gerso Fernandes (photo credit: Graham Green)
A week ago Sporting Kansas City visited high scoring Portland Timbers and exited with a 0-0 draw.
Against a team like FC Dallas who gives little and less to the opposition either much can be expected. Only if you are optimistic.
Dallas has played stifling defense so far this season and only KC has done better. Conceding two goals in five played while balancing CONCACAF Champions League is no easy feat.
That said with a fully focused squad on the one match a week format things are bound to change as there is less strain on the squad in this early part of the season.
For Sporting Kansas City there has been some offensive demonstrations but the goals have not been as forthcoming so far.Points have been accumulated and yet the full potential of Kansas City has not been realized. Dom Dwyer is still Sporting’s best chance at finding the back of the net, with two goals in as many matches. But with this team there is more that is there.
Defensively the foundation is strong and has so far been able to hold off the best that MLS has been able to throw at them this season. Tim Melia has put up man of the match performances multiple times in his four clean sheets. Ike Opara has also received his fair share of credit from the league office, being named to their Best XI twice.
What will be interesting to see is how these two sides will have used the previous match-up this season to plan for this match. That match featured a very young Dallas side and a Sporting team that were still gelling, particularly in the midfield. With The Hoops and The Powdered Blues at full strength there may be more attacking chances.
Key Matchup
Ike Opara vs Kellyn Acosta: the top defender of the last few weeks against the lynch pin of FC Dallas. Whomever comes out ahead will make things either work or not for their team.
Prediction
Sporting KC and FC Dallas are too defensively minded for anything but a 0-0 draw.
