Sep 3, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen (24) scores a goal on Sporting KC goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum (30) as defender Matt Besler (5) defends on the play during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The New England Revolution defeated Sporting KC 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
With second place on the line, Sporting Kansas City (13-10-6, 45 points) will play host to the New England Revolution (13-13-3).
What time? 8pm
What channel? NBC Sports Network
Head-to-Head in 2014: Getting swept is never easy, but if you are the defending MLS Cup Champions it takes on an entirely different meaning. Whether it is fair or not, the entire league measures themselves against what Sporting Kansas City does. Teams always use their top players, goals are just that more important, and saves are just that more spectacular. Sporting captivated the league last postseason and certainly put a target on their back. Interesting enough, it is one of the teams that Sporting beat on their way to the MLS Cup that is proving to be their most difficult foe in 2014.
While Sporting may have had the Revolution’s number in 2013, in 2014 it is the Revolution that have had the advantage, winning both of their previous two matches. In the first match in April, the Revolution were able to secure the three points off of two penalty-kick goals by midfielder Lee Nguyen and Teal Bunbury. A 74th minute red card by Sporting defender Aurelien Collin gave New England the man advantage to push their fast, dynamic attack.
In the second match just three weeks ago, Sporting midfielder Soony Saad gave the defending MLS Cup Champions the early lead in the ninth. But Nguyen would prove to be Sporting’s foil once again, scoring a brace late to give New England the 2-1 victory.
One thing that is important to note is that this will be the first match in the season series being played at Sporting Park in Kansas City.
Outlook: A match which finds both teams in different positions, Friday night’s match should go a long way into determining where these teams end up at the end of the season. On the outside it would appear that the clubs are going in different directions. Sporting Kansas City have won just one match in their last five and two of their last seven. But Sporting did win their last league match against Chivas USA and have won two consecutive matches in CONCACAF Champions League play.
As for the New England Revolution, coach Mike Petke’s side has rebounded from a terrible June and July by procuring points in eight of their last ten matches (6-1-2). Although the Revolution did lose to the Columbus Crew last week, the club did not look terribly bad, forcing Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark to make six saves. Only a brilliant Federico Higuain strike held New England from earning a hard-earned point on the road.
The key to Friday night’s match will be maintaining possession. Both Petke and Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes like to play a controlled measured style of football that forces their opponent to play catch-up. Petke’s side with the likes of Diego Fagundez and Kellyn Rowe on the outside like to play a little bit more up-tempo and will likely try and force Sporting defenders to play out of position so that their forwards or Nguyen (13 goals in 2014) will have space in the box.
Expect forward Charlie Davies to get the call as the lone forward for New England as Petke likes to go with the hot hand (or is it foot?) in the Revolution forward by-committee rotation.
Sporting will also likely go with a single forward up front with dynamic play-maker Dom Dwyer (19 goals) agitating the young Revolution defense for the entire 90 minutes. Although the signing of Jermaine Jones has brought some level of stability to the New England defense, the club still struggles to contain ball movement on the outside and thus are often playing catch-up in dangerous territory. Sporting midfielder Benny Feilhaber will look to break teammates Graham Zusi (4 goals) and Soony Saad (3 goals) on the outside.
It will be interesting to see who Vermes starts at goalkeeper. Both Eric Kronberg (hand) and Andy Gruenenbaum (rotator cuff) are both back healthy from their respective injuries. With Kronberg playing mid-week and still just coming back from injury, Vermes may opt for the back-up. But Sporting has had issues all season with chemistry between their goalkeepers and defenders. It might be a gamble playing him this many minutes after coming back from injury, but sticking with Kronberg may pay off in the long-term.
Important stat to keep an eye on: Both New England (382) and Sporting Kansas City (440) are in the top five in MLS in fouls committed. In fact in the club’s two previous matches the clubs have combined for eight yellow cards and one red card.