As Sporting KC returns to Sporting Park looking to host the Chicago Fire, I caught up with broadcaster Brian Dunseth, who will be calling Sunday's match. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. CT with live coverage available on ESPN, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Gran D 1340 AM.
Jonathon Feyerherm: What are your thoughts on Sporting KC's recent form (road wins at Houston and Portland) despite missing several players due to injuries and international duty?
Brian Dunseth: I feel like a broken record every time I talk about Sporting Kansas City. For me looking at the past couple of seasons, Roger Espinoza leaves, Kei Kamara leaves, Uri Rosell leaves, Teal Bunbury is traded at the start of the season and yet Sporting KC are top of the Eastern Conference. There's something to be said about this mentality about the group. I think for me, from the outside looking in, you're starting to see a little bit of a transition with some new players coming in and still being guys who fit into the system. I think while the system is continuing to evolve because you have new players stepping onto the field, it's still the same identity. It's still the same philosophy. For me, to see that game in Houston and watch the way Sporting KC was not just able to grind out three points but put in a convincing performance on the road. And then go to Portland after a disappointing result in the open cup and take 16 players, make four changes, and in a great atmosphere. That speaks volumes to the group mentality collectively and how this team continues to set the bar from an accountability standpoint and recognizing that internal, "you know what guys, we're not going to play well every single game but that doesn't mean we can get away with not working hard". That win on the road in Portland really continues to speak towards what the team stands for both on and off the field.
JF: What will be the key things for Sporting KC against Chicago in Sunday's match?
BD: I think defensively how Sporting KC deals with Mike Magee. He's deceptive in a lot of different ways whether it be his movement, speed, the way he finishes his runs, and most importantly finishing ability. I think that Jeff Larentowicz and how Sporting KC manages his possession on the ball because he's kind of the pacing player in the game. A lot of Chicago's pacing and rhythm goes through him. He's tough in his tackles and he's simplistic and I don't mean that in a bad way but in a really positive way. He can get a ball, he'll check and can play simple out of pressure with those combination passes but at the same time he's very very capable of hitting the long ball. The one thing for Sporting KC is what can they do with their chances. Sean Johnson has proven he's one of the top 10 goalkeepers in MLS so you know he's going to come up with a big save or two. Can Sporting KC finish off their runs and follow up their shots. The big first 45 minutes picture is not just setting the tone at home because it's such an incredible environment at Sporting Park but getting that goal. If you can get the goal, it can alleviate some of the pressure of Chicago sitting back and absorbing.
JF: What are you expecting to see from Sunday's match?
BD: It's going to be a battle in the midfield. I always think with Paulo Nagamura and Lawrence Olum, the way they set the tone physically. They are so competitive in their nature and unapologetic in their physicality. They're not afraid to kind of boss around their opponents in midfield. There should be some tough tackles in the midfield. And then possession. I think that Sporting Kansas City has such a fantastic job of not only high pressing and recovering the ball with numbers after they turn the ball over but immediately being able to recognize how to spread the field and how to open teams up and force them to chase the game. Killing them ultimately with possession and making them chasing the ball. Tough tackling in midfield, spreading the field through possession and recovery, and most importantly for me looking at this game historically from a pychological standpoint can Sporting KC get that goal in the first 45 minutes.
