Sporting KC kicks off a three-game road trip Wednesday night against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. The match will be televised nationally on Univision Deportes and locally on 38 the Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV with pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. CT. Wednesday'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 tonight's match vs. New England.
1. Turn the page
The month of August was not kind to Sporting KC. In six games in all competitions, the squad went 1-3-2 including a road draw against Real Esteli in the CONCACAF Champions League. But September is a new month and Peter Vermes' squad gets an early opportunity to reverse the team's recent fortune.
Sporting KC will play another six games in September - including two CCL games - starting with Wednesday night's showdown in New England. It's been 27 months since Sporting KC suffered their last three-game losing streak. Can Vermes' team right the ship and get back in the winning column vs. the Revolution?
2. Suspended players
If Sporting KC wants to grab three points on Wednesday, they will have to do so with their 26th different MLS lineup this year as both Dom Dwyer and Benny Feilhaber are suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Dwyer has been nothing short of a revelation for Sporting KC in 2014. The third-year striker has scored 17 goals, one short of Preki's club record for goals in a season. Feilhaber is also having one of the best years of his MLS career with three goals and six assists from his attacking midfield position.
Vermes has no shortage of talent on his bench to replace the talented duo. That list starts with Argentine Designated Player Claudio Bieler, who Vermes hinted could be in line for his first start since May. Whoever starts, though, will have their hands full against a Revolution team that has a plethora of young, attacking talent.
3. Jermaine Jones
He's not young, nor is he an attacker, but the signing of Jermaine Jones is a game-changer for the New England Revolution. With players such as Diego Fagundez, Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe pulling the strings, Jones provides a veteran presence that can lock down the midfield and provide cover for a defense that has allowed 1.44 goals per game in 2014.
Jones might not have the household appeal of Clint Dempsey or Michael Bradley, but the 32-year-old midfielder was one of the best players for the United States at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and is a strong addition to a Revolution side looking to win its first MLS Cup title.
4. Road warriors
Despite their recent struggles at home, Sporting Kansas City has proven to be one of the stronger road sides in Major League Soccer. Sporting KC's seven road wins are most in MLS and their +3 goal differential away from home is second to the LA Galaxy.
5. Broadcast / Watch Party info
Tonight's match will kick off at Gillette Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on KMCI's 38 The Spot and on SKCTV across the Midwest. Fans can listen to the match on ESPN 1510 AM (English) and La Gran D 1340 AM (Spanish). Postgame coverage will be available on Sports Radio 810 WHB's The Final Whistle with hosts Jonathan Kaplan and Dave Borchardt.
Sporting KC's official watch party will be held at Turn 2 Sports Bar & Restaurant located inside Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas. Doors will open at 4 p.m. CT and Sporting KC supporters can enjoy $3 Boulevard Wheat and Pale Ale drafts as well as $6 wings. All in attendance will have a chance to win a Sporting KC team signed jersey or autographed ball (no purchase necessary).
For full coverage of the match, visit SportingKC.com/Gameon.
