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Orlando City vs Sporting Kansas City: Preview and How to Watch

By Eric Harris

May 3, 2017; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC midfielder Benny Feilhaber (10) kicks the ball as New York Red Bulls defenseman Connor Lade (5) defends during the first half at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC midfielder Benny Feilhaber (10) kicks the ball as New York Red Bulls defenseman Connor Lade (5) defends during the first half at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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A Short-handed Sporting Kansas City Looks to Give Orlando their first home loss

Sporting Kansas City are the next to take on the fabled wall in Orlando City. A tall task will be even tougher due to Dom Dwyer’s yellow card accumulation.

Dwyer has a history with Orlando. As he was breaking into the league, SKC loaned him to Orlando back in their USL days. He was on fire there scoring 22 goals in 17 appearances on their way to a USL title.

Things are different for Orlando now, with their new stadium they remain unbeaten at home. Both teams are coming off uncharacteristic losses though. Orlando is coming off a 4-0 thrashing in Houston, while Sporting KC dropped a surprising 2-0 game to Minnesota United.

Orlando City

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  • Current Record: 6-3-0, 18 pts (2nd in Eastern Conference)
  • Last Time Out: 0-4 Loss at Houston Dynamo
  • Player To Watch For: Jonathan Spector. Jason Kreis held him out because he was nursing an injury and to give him some rest, they then got absolutely rocked by Houston. Spector has shown how important he is to the Orlando defense. Now that he missed a game its shown how much it hurts to not have him as the rock for that backline.
  • Why They Win: Spector’s return shores up the defense. As a result the Sporting attack looks toothless and Orlando sails to a win
  • Why They Won’t: Orlando’s fullbacks get overrun. With out Dwyer on the pitch Sporting will likely abandon their hold up game, meaning a steady dose of Gerso, Graham Zusi, Jimmy Medranda, etc. flying up the wings. If Orlando can’t handle that its going to be a long game.
  • Predicted Starting XI:

Just about everyone Kreis will want out there is available now, Kakà, Carlos Rivals and Cyle Larin going up against Sporting’s backline will be fun to watch.

Sporting Kansas City

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  • Current Record: 5-2-3, 18 pts (2nd In Western Conference)
  • Last Time Out: 0-2 Loss at Minnesota United
  • Player To Watch For: Benny Feilhaber. With Dwyer out of the lineup the onus will be on Feilhaber to lead the offense. He will be the man in the middle looking to distribute to ball to dangerous areas going forward. He may not be the goalscorer, but if SKC gets a result he is the most likely assist man.
  • Why They Win: Sporting gets production from an unexpected place. Whether its Soony Saad or Daniel Salloi, SKC is going to need a good game from a striker who Orlando isn’t expecting to come out and beat them.
  • Why They Won’t: No one can score. Whoever gets put up top is neutralized, and Feilhaber is mobbed in the midfield and can’t find outlets.
  • Predicted Starting XI:

Someone has to start up top for Sporting, it could be Saad, it could be Salloi, it could even be Medranda. Salloi has been a straight swap for Dwyer in a few matches so he seems the most likely choice. Outside of that it’s the usual suspects for Kansas City.

Prediction

How To Watch

Where: Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida
When: Saturday, May 13, 7:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FS Kansas City (In KC), TV27 (In Orlando), MLS Live (U.S., Canada)

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