Sporting Kansas City vs Saprissa: Three things to look out for

CONCACAF Champions League play rolls on in Group 2 on Thursday night as Sporting Kansas City (0-1-0, one point) host Costa Rican side Saprissa (1-1-0). The match will be held at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Mo at 8pm EST and will be shown on Fox Sports 1.

Here are three things to look out for when watching Thursday’s match.

Sep 12, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Sporting KC midfielder Antonio Dovale (9) reacts after scoring in the first half against the Chivas USA at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Second chances

There is both a literal and figurative way at looking at this statement. For Sporting Kansas City, the club will be looking to use CCL play as a means of jump-starting a side that has won just once in their last six matches. In last week’s 4-0 drubbing of Chivas USA, the team looked like they finally had some life in their attack. In particular, the wide play of midfielders Graham Zusi and Seth Sinovic opened up the Chivas defense, giving forward Dom Dwyer  space to create goal-scoring opportunities.  Dwyer currently leads Sporting with 19 goals on the season.

Although Sporting has played just one match in the CCL, the club is already behind the eight ball for qualifying for the knockout round. In their 1-1 draw with Real Esteli, Sporting midfielder Jorge Claros put the ball in the back of his own net in just the sixth minute. Sporting were able to even up the score in the 16th minute on a goal by midfielder Toni but were unable to get three points against the weakest club in Group 2.

2.) Who will stop Ariel Rodriguez? 

Rodriguez is currently in the running for the CCL Golden Boot, having scored four goals in just two matches. The twenty-four year old striker putting on an attacking clinic in the club’s 3-0 defeat of Real Esteli three weeks ago. Aside from the scoring touch, he possesses the skill that any quality striker must have: he never stops moving. Whether it is for a quick burst in open space or just a simple sly step outside, he is always moving, always looking for that little advantage that can be exploited.

If there is one concern for Sporting Kansas City it would be that the club has suffered in recent weeks from a lack of communication between the goalkeeper and their defense. If Sporting coach Peter Vermes opts to go with backup goalkeeper Jon Kempin, he will need a better performance out of the Homegrown Academy product. Kempin’s inability to command his defense and set up plays could be dangerous against a potent striker like Rodriguez. Center-backs Matt Besler and Aurelien Collin will need to give their young goalkeeper time to avoid any poor decisions.

#3 Home Cooking

Given that Saprissa have already secured four points over two matches, Sporting Kansas City need to get three points in this game as the club still have to travel to San Jose for a road match. Although MLS sides do not struggle in Costa Rica as much as they do in Mexico, “The Monster’s Cave” is still a very difficult place to earn a point. Three points here will set the defending MLS Cup Champions up nicely for their final two matches in group play.