Sporting KC (7-2-0, 21 pts) at Chicago Fire (3-2-3, 12 pts)
Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 7:30 p.m. CT
Toyota Park | Bridgeview, IL
English TV: KSMO-TV, WIBW-TV, KMTW-TV
Spanish Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
Sporting Kansas City takes their two-point lead atop the Eastern Conference to Chicago where they will face the Fire at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday at Toyota Park. More than 500 Sporting Kansas City supporters have made the trip to the Windy City for the away game and LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will host the team’s official Watch Party in the Members’ Club.
The match will air live on KSMO-TV, beginning with a 30-minute pre-game show, and will also be broadcast by the club’s two newest television partners, WIBW-TV in Topeka and KMTW-TV in Wichita. Fans may also tune into La Gran D 1340 AM for the Spanish station's live broadcast of the match.
After opening the season with seven straight victories and sprinting to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, Sporting Kansas City enters Saturday’s fixture on a two-game skid. Back-to-back shutout losses against the Portland Timbers and Montreal Impact have Sporting KC seeking a road result on Saturday to maintain early poll position in the East.
The Fire also enter with just two losses, but will be playing the club’s third MLS match in nine days following a 2-1 win at Chivas USA last weekend and a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday. The team is led by speedy striker Dominic Oduro with three goals in eight appearances, while Argentine playmaker Sebastian Grazzini has recorded three assists thus far in 2012.
Chicago head coach Frank Klopas, who began his MLS career in KC, has fielded a Fire squad bolstered by the addition of German defender Arne Friedrich to anchor the defense in front of U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The midfield returns Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause and Marco Pappa, while Patrick Nyarko completes the Ghanaian partnership up top with Oduro.
Fire forward Chris Rolfe, acquired from Danish side Aalborg last month, remains questionable to make his 2012 debut after suffering a left ankle sprain in training and the team’s 2011 Defender of the Year Cory Gibbs was added to the Disabled List last month.
Sporting Kansas City supporters can follow the game online via @SKCGameday on Twitter and the MLSSoccer.com MatchCenter, or on mobile devices with Sporting Explore and MLS MatchDay apps.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. CT for the Watch Party at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, with parking available in Lot D. Food and drink will be available to purchase, including the $3 pick special (chips and choice of hamburger, hot dog or bratwurst).
