Sporting KC hits the road for one more time in the regular season on Saturday night as they face Eastern Conference opponents Philadelphia Union. To preview the match, I spoke with ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle.
Jonathon Feyerherm: What are you thoughts on Sporting KC's season so far and their form heading towards the playoffs?
Jeff Carlisle: It was really surprising to see their struggles during this season. You're just not used to seeing Sporting Kansas City struggle like they have and obviously they've had some issues at the back (injuries). Losing Rosell definitely hurt a bit as well but you know the last couple weeks they've been able to start putting together some decent results. It doesn't seem as that they're defending as well as years past but they'e got two shutouts in a row and hit upon a lineup that has been working for them.
JF: What are you thoughts on the play of Benny Feilhaber this season?
JC: It's been fascinating to see how Feilhaber has kind of resuscitated his career. It felt like he was almost on his last shift when he first came to Kansas City. He didn't quite find his form right away but you saw the end of last year, especially during the playoffs, he had finally hit is stride and gotten his fitness to a point where we could all the things Peter Vermes wanted him to do on both sides of the ball. He's a guy that I would love to see back on the U.S. Men's National Team just given the way he plays. You'd think that his style and ability to pass the ball and create in attacking third, he'd be a guy that Klinsmann would like. I think his season has been really impressive.
JF: What are you expecting to see from Saturday's match?
JC: I think this is a game that Sporting KC needs to have. You've got New York breathing down their neck, two points behind, and New York has been in good form lately. Sporting KC doesn't want to get dragged into that play-in game and they can really go a long way towards ensuring a Top 3 finish in the East with a win at Philadelphia. It's really one that I think Sporting KC should win. Philadelphia doesn't have much to play for and is a team that his pyschologically vulnerable right now given everything's that happen and the way they've missed out on the playoffs. I think three points are there for the taking.
