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Sporting Kansas City Aims Straight at MLS Trophy

By Chuck Wharton

KANSAS CITY, KS - SEPTEMBER 20: Sporting KC fans before the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final between the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City on September 20, 2017 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Sporting Kansas City won 2-1. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS - SEPTEMBER 20: Sporting KC fans before the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final between the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City on September 20, 2017 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Sporting Kansas City won 2-1. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Right after winning the U.S. Open Cup last week, Sporting Kansas City made it clear all eyes focused on the MLS Cup. They kept the talk going after beating the LA Galaxy at home on Sunday.

Sporting Kansas City CEO Robb Heineman opened the MLS trophy discussion with MLSSoccer.com’s David Gass during the team’s U.S. Open Cup celebration.

"Heineman: We have another trophy to win in a couple months."

Coach Peter Vermes also joined in the focus talk.

"Vermes: This isn’t the last one this year. Let’s go."

Then after defeating one of the league’s worst teams in the L.A. Galaxy on Sunday, he emphasized necessity of continued focus to the Kansas City Star.

"You could tell they knew we achieved one of the goals that we wanted to achieve, (but) that’s behind us, and it’s time to move on.I believe we have a lot of quality in the players up front that can finish chances. It all comes because of the movement. From that perspective, I’m very pleased."

Sporting faces the Vancouver Whitecaps at home this Saturday. The team has a 24-game regular season unbeaten streak at home. That’s the third-longest streak in MLS history.

Vancouver also has not lost in quite a while with their last loss coming on August 12th against the New England Revolution. This run has seen Vancouver climb to the top of the Western Conference standings with 48 points, ahead of Portland and SKC who sit at 47 points.

Not just office talk

If the front office and coach staff talked up the MLS trophy hunt without the players on board, it would end there. The players have great news for fans: they stay focused on the trophy, as well.

F Diego Rubio said in the Star that the focus worked on the field and all players worked on the same page. The instinctive, collective movement made the difference in the Open Cup win and then again on Sunday.

"Rubio: Everyone can play. I think you see that on Wednesday, three different guys played (forward), and today another three guys. But we always score. We’re winning the last few games. I think that speaks (well) about the team."

Next: MLS Playoff Impacting Matchups

With the same vision and focus, Sporting Kansas City, from the front office to the field, moves in concert toward grasping the MLS trophy. They’ve climbed very near first place in the Western Conference.  It’s theirs to take and they could make that leap if they overcome a very hot Vancouver side on the weekend.

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