Sporting KC will play their first MLS home match after the League's World Cup break on Sunday when they welcome the Chicago Fire to Sporting Park. The match will kick off at 2 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Sunday's match can also be heard locally on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Gran D 1340. Limited tickets are available and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL.
Here are five things you should know ahead of Sunday's match at Sporting Park.
1. Opposite ends of the table
Despite playing the last seven weeks without World Cup stars Matt Besler and Graham Zusi - in addition to countless other absences - Sporting KC enters July in first place in the Eastern Conference. Peter Vermes guided his club to road wins in their last two matches in two very difficult places with a 2-0 win at Houston and a 1-0 win over Portland.
On the other side of the spectrum is the Chicago Fire, who currently sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points through 15 games. Frank Yallop's side struggled out of the gate, not winning their first match until May 10, but has proven to be one of the more difficult teams in MLS to beat with only four losses in 2014.
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2. Young stars take center stage
Dom Dwyer is having a breakout year for Sporting Kansas City. After finding his way into the starting lineup toward the end of 2013, Dwyer took hold of the center forward position in 2014 and has not looked back. The young striker has 11 goals in 16 games and sits in third place in the race for the MLS Golden Boot.
The Fire have a young stud of their own that will play an integral role in Sunday's match. If you weren't familiar with homegrown midfielder Harry Shipp when the Fire signed him in January, you are now. The Notre Dame product has six goals and four assists and was voted MLS Player of the Week after a three-goal performance against the New York Red Bulls on May 10.
3. No Quincy Time
It has taken Quincy Amarikwa six years to make a name for himself in MLS, but 2014 has been a breakout year for the California native. Amarikwa has five goals and three assists - plus his own online show - and has complemented 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee and Shipp in the Fire attack. But after picking up a yellow card in a mid-week draw vs. Toronto FC, Amarikwa will sit out Sunday's match due to yellow card accumulation. Amarikwa's absence is a big blow for a Fire side that is looking to keep pace in the Eastern Conference.
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4. Benny's back
While one internet sensation will miss Sunday's match, another is set to make his return. Feilhaber told reporters this week that he is "ready to play" after missing the last month with an AC joint sprain that he suffered in the 1-0 win over Houston. Vermes has used a midfield-by-committe in the absence of the USMNT veteran, but Feilhaber has proven to be one of the most dangerous midfielders in MLS and is an important cog in Sporting KC's system.
5. Get to the stadium early
Fans are encouraged to arrive at Sporting Park early tomorrow, but they will definitely want to be in their seats by 2 p.m. Sporting KC will be honoring Besler and Zusi on the field prior to the match for their efforts at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Limited tickets are available for the match and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Sporting Park Box Office on Sunday.
For full coverage of the match, visit SportingKC.com/Gameon.
