Sporting Kansas City vs. Seattle Sounders: Preview and How to Watch
After struggling to score in their last two matches, the Seattle Sounders now have to face the league’s best defense in Sporting Kansas City.
Sporting Kansas City return home finding themselves in a three-way tie for the lead in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, last year’s MLS champions, the Seattle Sounders, are now just three points off the bottom and trailing expansion side Minnesota United.
Back at Children’s Mercy Park, and after a strong comeback against Orlando, the expectation will be for SKC to return to their defensive strength and get the win. However, Seattle and their fans will be looking for a big reaction after the Chicago loss. If the SKC defense is starting to wear down Seattle’s forwards could pull off a road upset.
Seattle Sounders
- Current Record: 2W-4L-4D
- Last Time Out: 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on the road.
- Player To Watch For: Clint Dempsey. Seattle has posted not just back to back losses, but bad ones. Losing at home in the title rematch and then the Chicago debacle. Going up against a strong KC defense, the Sounders need some of Clint’s magic. His aggression, driving with the ball and creativity are critical if they hope to get points against SKC.
- Why They Win: With as much talent as Seattle has offensively, it shouldn’t be as hard as it is to create this scenario. Seattle will need to use the disappointment of a 4-1 loss, and now two in a row, to start the match fast. KC’s backline has been top class this season, but have given up two goals in each of their last two matches. So Seattle throw Morris, Bruin and Dempsey at them in the box to overload and find the win.
- Why They Won’t: The Sporting KC backline continues to do what it does best, and shuts down Bruin, Morris and Dempsey. Seattle’s backline is without Joevin Jones weakening the attack and creating another makeshift defense for the Sounders. Dwyer and Benny each score, with Seattle failing to get going for the third straight week.
- Predicted Starting XI:
Predicted Starting XI for the @SoundersFC sees yet another new backline and Bruin up top. @MLS #SKCvSEA #Sounders @MLSMultiplex pic.twitter.com/8mNHAW7Dft
— Nathan Reynolds (@Nathan_RVA) May 16, 2017
Sporting Kansas City
- Current Record: 5W-2L-4D
- Last Time Out: 2-2 draw at Orlando.
- Player To Watch For: Latif Blessing. On the road against an Orlando City side who remained perfect at home, expectations were low with Dom Dwyer out. Blessing started the match and became the youngest SKC player to score a brace. His two goals saw Orlando drop their first home points and will likely force Vermes to adjust his lineup for Wednesday night.
- Why They Win: Quite simply they are home. Winning on the road in MLS is always tough, but SKC have set the bar in 2017. In five home matches the defense has only allowed in two goals total. Dwyer returns, Blessing remains active and the makeshift Sounders backline isn’t able to hang on.
- Why They Won’t: The defense is starting to tire, now giving up four goals in their last two games. Dempsey leads an angry Seattle attack and creates an open, back-and-forth match which suits the Sounders more than Sporting.
- Predicted Starting XI:
The #SKC lineup sees Dwyer return and Blessing start again as they welcome in #Seattle Wednesday night. #MLS #SKCvSEA @MLSMultiplex pic.twitter.com/Wl9gdnyX9c
— Nathan Reynolds (@Nathan_RVA) May 16, 2017
Score Prediction:
Next: No mere MLS feeder: USL expansion powers up this summer
How to Watch
Where: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
When: 7:30 pm ET
How to Watch: MLS LIVE, FOX Sports KC, JOEtv