As Sporting KC returns home to Sporting Park to host the Chicago Fire, I caught up with ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle to preview Sunday's match. The match will kick off at 4 p.m. CT with live coverage available on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB, and La Grande 1340 AM.
Jonathon Feyerherm:
What did you take away from Sporting KC’s 4-4 draw at Houston last Saturday?
Jeff Carlisle:
It was a fantastic effort to come back, not only from two goals down, but also the late goal that Houston scored to put them up 4-3. That said, it looked like Kansas City definitely had some issues on set pieces that they need to clean up.
JF:
Benny Feilhaber has arguably been one of the best midfielders in MLS. What are your thoughts on his play this season and the attack starting to impress with offseason addition Krisztian Nemeth?
JC:
I agree that Feilhaber's been fantastic. I think Feilhaber did well when he was playing more withdrawn earlier in the season, but I think SKC is a better team when he plays closer to goal and gets forward. I just think he adds so much to the team's attack in the final third given the way he can pick out a pass. And obviously, as everyone saw last weekend, he's got a heavy shot. Nemeth has definitely been coming on of late, and looks to be a crafty player with an eye for goal. I remember in preseason Peter Vermes telling me how highly he rated Nemeth and now it looks like he's getting acclimated to the team and MLS.
JF:
What is Chicago’s form heading into this match?
JC:
They've won three in a row and have rebounded well from a difficult start. But the three games they won were all at home against teams they should be expected to beat. Sunday's game will be a huge test to see if they're as good as these last three games have shown.
JF:
Who are some players to watch on the Fire for Sunday’s match at Sporting Park?
JC:
Harrison Shipp and Shaun Maloney have really come on of late, but the guy SKC needs to look out for is David Accam. They guy has serious speed and will be difficult for SKC's defense to handle. Jalil Anibaba and Marcel de Jong will need to be at their best to contain him.
JF:
How important is it for Sporting KC to improve their home form, especially against Eastern Conference sides?
JC:
The Eastern Conference definitely looks weaker, so it's important for SKC to do well against those sides. But I also think Kansas City needs to turn Sporting Park into a fortress again. They're 1-0-3 so far at home and that will need to improve if its to qualify for the playoffs.
JF:
What are you looking forward to seeing in Sunday’s match?
JC:
Chicago has looked better on the ball of late. I'm eager to see how SKC copes with that as well as how Feilhaber does against the rookie midfielder Matt Polster.
JF:
Finally, after about two months into the season, what are your thoughts on the Western Conference?
JC:
As advertised so far. It's very competitive, though I'm surprised to see RSL and Portland struggle so much, though injuries have certainly been a factor in both cases. I'm also surprised to see how well Vancouver and Dallas have done. I thought they'd be good but both teams have exceeded my expectations.
