Open Cup Final Preview: Sporting Kansas City to Finish It

Sporting Kansas City plan to win their second Open Cup final game in three years. They face the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, after eliminating the San Jose Earthquakes in a penalty kick shootout.

If Wednesday’s Open Cup final turns into an endurance match, Sporting Kansas City has the stuff to outlast the New York Red Bulls for a championship win.

They have outstanding attackers who scored 10 goals in four Open Cup games. While Goalkeeper Tim Melia has conceded only one goal in those contests.

The Red Bulls will give them the best game they’ve had in this competition. But Sporting Kansas City will get the title.

Sporting Kansas City Snapshot:

Current Record (W-L-D): 3-0-1, Open Cup competition.

Last Time out: 5-4 Penalty Kick shootout win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Player to Watch For: Pick any of the five attackers, or Melia. You can’t go wrong.

If you still need a choice during the game, watch for attacks from F Latif Blessing. Then wait until this game needs a finishing statement and start following M Benny Feilhaber. He’ll take care of it.

And don’t forget to marvel over and again as G Tim Melia tirelessly turns away shots from the Red Bulls.

Why They Win: The Sporting defense stays rock-solid as they have all this Open Cup competition. G Tim Melia covers the goal like a mountain. Then the incredible attacking five win Sporting Kansas City’s fourth Open Cup title.

SKC has been raining shots on goal during this competition.

Why They Won’t: The New York Red Bulls’ Open Cup statistics look identical until you get to the shots/on target numbers. If the Bulls prepare to run with SKC, then wear them down, they’ll win.

Predicted Starting XI:

Score Prediction:

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How to Watch:

Where: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City

When: 9 p.m. ET, Wednesday, September 20
Channels: ESPN2, ESPN Desportes.