Sporting Kansas City’s long road trip is beginning to come to a close and it might be ending with a positive run of form. Last week Sporting picked up a win in an open cup qualifier by a 5-0 score line and got a come from behind draw (their first point in 6 matches).
In their last match vs. Colorado the team came from an early deficit to get the draw thanks to substitute Ryan Smith’s goal in the 74th minute. This came on the heels of a 5-0 midweek win against the New England Revolution in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier.
The team should be without several key players this week as Kei Kamara, Craig Rocastle, Roger Espinoza, Stephane Auvray, and Shavar Thomas all should be away on international duty this week and for the remainder of the Gold Cup. This will definitely affect how the team plays as they open their new stadium.
The lineup should remain similar to last week’s lineup. This includes Jimmy Nielsen starting as goalkeeper. Michael Harrington, Matt Besler, Aurelien Collin, and Seth Sinovic should all be starting on the back line. The midfield will be missing Craig Rocastle from last week due to the Gold Cup. This means that Davy Arnaud, Omar Bravo, and Graham Zusi may be the starting midfield this week. Up top, Ryan Smith, Teal Bunbury, and Chance Myers will look to start. C.J. Sapong is someone that may get the nod in favor of Bunbury, due to Bunbury’s poor run of form and slight ankle issue that kept him out of the match last week.
(image courtesy of sportingkc.com)
