For this week's Prep Talk, I spoke with Goal.com editor and SI.com contributor Avi Creditor.
What's been the reason for Montreal's recent winless streak?
"Defensively, Montreal has taken numerous steps back. The Impact look a step slow, and teams have taken advantage of individual matchups to expose the back unit's weaknesses. It is hard to win games when conceding three or more goals, which Montreal has done three times in its five-game winless skid. In last week's scoreless draw against FC Dallas, at least signs of getting out of its funk started to show."
On the other end, what's been the key for Sporting KC's recent good form?
"Sporting KC is in a groove, and it is because players are stepping up when called upon. The club has received key contributions from less-heralded players like Soony Saad and Ike Opara in big spots. Also, the two game-stretch that included a loss to Montreal and a late blown lead against FC Dallas certainly served as a wake-up call, and the result has been a team that has won four of its last five. Being able to hold onto Graham Zusi throughout the Gold Cup has clearly helped as well."
The first two matches between these two sides were physical and saw several ejections (Schallibaum twice and Nesta once). Do you expect Saturday's match to be more of the same in terms of physical play and intensity?
"Definitely. Sporting KC, for better or for worse, loves to rattle top-tier opponents with physicality and high pressure, not allowing them to establish the rhythm and tempo. Considering the bad blood from the first two meetings, I don't see any reason for it to be much different, especially with major table implications in play. Armando Villarreal, who refereed the last meeting between the two sides, is assigned to Saturday's match as well, and if he can establish control early on based on his past experience and knowledge of both sides, then perhaps things will be more tame."
What are the things each side will need to do on Saturday to get a result?
"With Matt Besler out and Marco Di Vaio returning, Montreal needs to try and test Sporting KC's back line -- one that has been prone to the catastrophic error from time to time this season -- ad nauseam while trying to feed the Italian All-Star. The battle between Claudio Bieler and Alessandro Nesta -- Nesta was ejected for a headbutt of Bieler in their last meeting -- marks a crucial aspect on the other side of the ball. Each team should know what to expect of the other by this point, but an early goal from Sporting KC would put a vulnerable Montreal side on its back foot."
What are you expecting to see from Saturday's match?
"I'm expecting to see two motivated sides play with urgency while hoping to head into the All-Star Game with momentum. Sporting KC, especially, could thrive off a key road win that would create separation atop the Eastern Conference right before hosting the All-Star Game. Montreal, meanwhile, has games in hand on Sporting KC and can close the gap with a home win while also allaying some longer-term doubts by ending its current skid."
"Considering the current form of both teams, Sporting KC would figure to have a decisive edge, but with the match being played at Stade Saputo, Marco Di Vaio returning to the Impact after a brief time away and the unpredictability of the emotional factor, it will be a tightly contested match. One that Sporting KC wins by the narrowest of margins."
