Sporting KC will conclude their stretch of three games in nine days when they take on the Chicago Fire Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. CT and can be seen locally on KMCI-TV and across the Midwest on SKCTV as well as nationally on UniMas. Sunday's match can also be heard locally on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Gran D 1340.
Here are five things you should know ahead of Sunday's match at Toyota Park.
1. Center back conundrum
Sporting Kansas City's center back situation has been well-documented. Matt Besler (USA) and Lawrence Olum (Kenya) are with their respective national teams. Ike Opara is out for the year. Aurelien Collin left Wednesday's match early and did not travel to Chicago. Erik Palmer-Brown is recovering a bout of sesamoiditis and is listed as questionable on the team's injury report. To make matters worse, Oriol Rosell, one of MLS' premier defensive midfielders was listed as questionable on the team's injury report with a quad strain.
So who starts at center back for Peter Vermes on Sunday? Tune in 38 the Spot at 2 p.m. to find out.
VIDEO: Dwyer's Golazo
2. Replacing Zusi
The back line is not the only place where Sporting KC has question marks. After joining the USMNT on Thursday, Sporting KC will be without All-Star midfielder Graham Zusi for the foreseeable future.
Last Wednesday, Sal Zizzo lined up on one wing with Zusi on the other. In the two matches prior, it was Jacob Peterson who saw action on the wing. With Zusi not in the picture, will Vermes choose to go with Peterson AND Zizzo as the wings in his 4-3-3 formation, or will players sucha s Soony Saad and/or C.J. Sapong make their return to the starting lineup.
3. Dwyer taking next step
Dom Dwyer can score goals. He proved that in 2013, breaking the USL PRO single-season goalscoring record in less than half a season. Although he was not able to replicate that form after his recall to Sporting KC in June, Dwyer came up big when the team needed him most, scoring in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage and tallying the game-winning goal in the Eastern Conference Championship.
2014 has been a different story, however. In 10 games played, Dwyer has seven goals, including a Goal of the Week-worthy gem in Sporting KC's midweek loss to Philadelphia. After playing only 19 minutes in Wednesday's match, Dwyer should be fresh and hungry for Sunday's showdown in Chicago.
VIDEO: Shipp wins PotW
4. The Shipp show
While The Benny Feilhaber Show is winning the internet, the Harry Shipp Show is winning Major League Soccer's Rookie of the Year race. The homegrown product has been one of the few bright spots for Frank Yallop's squad, with three goals and fourth assists through eight matches.
Shutting down Shipp - the reigning MLS Player of the Week - will be a big focus for Sporting KC if they want to leave Toyota Park with points.
5. Johnny's Tavern Watch Party
Fans are encouraged to join the club’s official watch parties at Johnny’s Tavern locations in the KC Power & Light District (1310 Grand Blvd.) and Olathe (10384 S. Ridgeview Rd.). Select Boulevard draft specials will be available, as well as the “Blue Believer” signature cocktail.
For full coverage of the match, visit SportingKC.com/Gameon.
