As Sporting KC returns home to Sporting Park to host the Philadelphia Union, I caught up with Fox Sports' Alexi Lalas to preview Sunday's match. The match will kick off at 6 p.m. CT with live coverage available on Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes, Sports Radio 810 WHB, and La Grande 1340 AM.
Jonathon Feyerherm: What are thoughts on Sporting KC's form heading into this match (two consecutive clean sheets, victory at NYFC)?
Alexi Lalas: Anytime you can put together clean sheets in a row, I know from a defensive standpoint that's good, and knowing what Peter Vermes preaches, he's gotta be happy about that. To go on the road, albeit an expansion team and get three points and a goal from a set piece, those are all good things. This is an interesting year for Sporting KC, given the switch to the West and the challenges that presents. I don't see a whole lot of change in what they're doing. They believe in the way that they play and the way that they train.
JF: What are your thoughts on Philadelphia heading into this match?
AL: Look, Sporting KC are playing the last placed team in the league. From Sporting KC's standpoint, you have to look at this and really be licking your chops to get three points, be clinical, and decisive in terms of the way you do it. Philly's still trying to figure out who they are and they haven't had the results they want but if you are a betting man, I'm putting my money on Sporting KC this weekend.
JF: In most home matches at Sporting Park, Sporting KC has had most of the possession and created numerous chances against other teams. What do they need to do to capitalize on that against Philadelphia?
AL: There's a patience involved when you have possession. Sometime, when you have a lot of possession, you can get frustrated. That's really what a team that's out to defend and absorb pressure is out to do, to frustrate you. I think Philadelphia's going to try at certain points to do that and so the patience, understanding, and confidence to work through those moments is going to be key for Sporting KC to wait for that moment. It doesn't have to come in the first minute.
JF: As Sporting KC gets ready to play their 600th regular season match, what are your thoughts on the growth of soccer in Kansas City during the past 20 years?
AL: Those of us that were back here in the 1900's, it's night and day. I'm so happy with what has happened here and it's a real case study in terms of how you can completely change the reality and perception of a brand in a market. Absolute full credit goes to the local ownership and the vision that they had and the money they spent to make this thing work. I couldn't be happier to see the incredible difference from what it was to what it is right now. It went from a time where people were talking about the potential of this team leaving to the Kansas City market to a time where it's relevant, authentic, and exciting. I think at this point it would never cross anyone's mind to have this team play anywhere else.
