Sporting will try to stop the bleeding this week in Colorado. They are currently on a run of only one point in their last 7 matches. The next opportunity for the club to get back on the winning track will be on Saturday as they take on the defending MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids. This run of form has been due, in some small part at least, an extended road trip to begin this season. They have played all 8 matches so far on the road, with 2 more on the way. This is due to Livestrong Sporting Park being set to open in a couple of weeks. It will open up on June 9th on ESPN2 against the Chicago Fire.
For this week though they will play the Colorado Rapids in Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. They will be followed by many Kansas City fans that will be making the trip over to Colorado with Sporting fan club, The Cauldron. It will be the last chance for many supporters to watch the team live before the much anticipated June 9th home opener.
This week, Peter Vermes indicated that Sporting played well last week in Seattle in a last second loss to the Sounders. This means that Sporting will more than likely use the same starting 11 as they did last week. This included starting Jimmy Nielson in goal and a backline with Michael Harrington, Roger Espinoza, Matt Besler, and Aurelien Collin. This also includes a midfield of Davy Arnaud, Craig Rocastle, and Omar Bravo. Up top it will most likely be Ryan Smith, Teal Bunbury, and Kei Kamara starting with C.J. Sapong starting the match from the bench.
I think that another loss will be very bad for the club and for Peter Vermes, who may be on the hot seat for the moment. Overall, the club and many fans are still optimistic that the team will turn it around and sneak into the playoffs. While, I am still more of a downer and think that it is possible. I don’t think that that kind of turn around will occur without some big changes.
Prediction Colorado 2 : Sporting 1
(image courtesy of mlssoccer.com)
