Sporting Kansas City returns to the road this weekend for a match against the New England Revolution. Both teams are without players becuase of World Cup qualifying and several injuries. In both of their matches this season, New England has played a 4-5-1 (or more specifically a 4-2-3-1) with a lone striker, attacking mid to support, two wide midfielders, two holding/central midfielders, and four defenders.
Defensively, New England has looked solid in their first two matches with only one goal conceded. Offensively, it's been a mixed performance for the Revolution who earned an away victory at Chicago on a Jerry Bengtson goal but were shutout at Philly last Saturday. The Revolution are expected to play a bit more aggressively in their home opener, especially against a Sporting KC not at full strength.
Forwards
The Revolution will be without Bengtson, who was named to the Honduras squad for World Cup qualifying. Saer Sene, NE's 2012 leading goalscorer, is also unavailable due to an injury. This leaves a few diferent options to start up top including Chad Barrett, Diego Fagundez, and Dimitry Imbongo. Barrett and Fagundez are the more likely options as Imbongo has not played this season.
Midfielders
Clyde Simms has started both matches centrally but has been partnered with different players in each of the first two matches. Out wide, Lee Nguyen has played in both matches while Kelyn Rowe featured against Philly and Donnie Smith started against Chicago. Kalife Cisse and Clyde Simms are listed as questionable for Saturday's match. Juan Toja has started both matches as an attacking midfielder in support of the forward. Toja was an All-Star in 2008 for FC Dallas and played for several years in Europe before returning to MLS last season.
Defenders
The centerback pairing for New England has been Goncalves and Soares for both matches with Farrell and Alston out wide. Farrell, who was the number one draft pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft has impressed early and shown an ability to dribble out of the back. The back four is not expected to change with none of the defenders having serious injury concerns.
Lineup versus Chicago Fire |
Lineup versus Philadelphia Union |
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