(Photo: USA Today Images)
Sporting Kansas City will play their first match of the 2013 season at Sporting Park this Saturday against the Chicago Fire. the match match against the Chicago Fire I spoke to Robbie Earle, who will be commentating the match for the NBC Sports Network. Earle played for nearly two decades in England and for Jamaica in the 1998 World Cup, scoring the country's first ever goal in the tournament.
What were thoughts on Sporting KC's slows starts in their first two matches and how much of that can be attributed to playing on the road against teams having their home openers?
I think that Kansas City are one of the most well prepared, well drilled, committed teams in the league (MLS). Going on the road, winning one and losing one, isn't disastrous but I think we expect a level of commitment or performance.
It was interesting listening to a few of Peter Vermes' comments that he felt the team started both games a little short of their normal aggression levels. It's taken them 45 minutes to get to that level and in the second half of both games they've looked a lot better outfit. I think there's probably a mental and sort of focus aspect where you have to get yourself in the right place to start a game in the right mood.
I don't think tactically or technically they've been below but just that application that you need away from home. I think one of the big differences in the league here (compared to others around the world) is that when you're on the road it can be a bit of a soulless place in terms of having few traveling fans.
Regardless of what you do that day, you don't really get any feedback from the crowd. If you make a good tackle or make a good pass when you're on your home field, the crowd will get behind you. You'll get a cheer and a clap. It spurs you on as a player. You have to get yourself into a different mindset when you're on the road. You're not going to get that interaction from crowd, it's about self-motivation. Maybe that's something the team has not started the season in the right space.
What is it like to play in the first home match of the season (based on your experiences as player)?
It's always something to look forward to and almost the polar opposite to playing on the road. You know you're going to get the crowd to feed off the team and vice versa. You want set a marker down there (home stadium) that when teams come to your place they're going to have to earn the right to score.
One of the things you have to be slightly mindful is that you can almost get a little too carried away. You can get a little too up for the occasion; overdue things and try to play too quickly. I think it's also important that there's an element of sticking to the strategy or the gameplan. Don't overdue things just because its the home opener.
What are your impressions of Claudio Bieler?
He's a natural born finisher. You can see that he sees chances, smells opportunities, and has got an instinct for where he should be. That's something that is hard to work on in the training ground and if it's a natural born gift can set you apart.
I think he's one of those players that doesn't have to be on top of his game. He doesn't have to be that involved in the game but give him one or two chances that he's looking for and he's confident he'll put one into the back of the net.
It's a great thing to have players like that in your team like that. You always feel like you have a chance in the game as long as you can create him one or two opportunities. He's a great addition.
What are your thoughts on Graham Zusi's rise in MLS and with the U.S. National Team?
I've been impressed seeing him the last few years (in MLS). Technically, he's very competent. He's an intelligent player and understands the game. He'll be a key for Sporting KC this year with his deliveries and ability to come from a deeper line position and score goals.
As much as Bieler will be the main (goalscoring) threat, when you've got someone like a Zusi on your team as well that gives you nice added bonus. If the main goalscorer is not having his day you've got threats from other parts of the pitch and that's what the best teams have.
What do you expect from Saturday's match?
I expect Sporting KC to have more possession. It looks to me that they're trying to play a more possession game. Controlling the way the game is played and buildling up from the back a little bit more than we've seen in the past. So its going to be interesting to see in terms how they do that and how they turn that possession into goalscoring chances. It's alright having the ball but it's what you do with it.
Chicago initially will sit in a little bit and make sure they don't give anything away. They'll look for counterattacks. They've yet to score this season and that will be something they'll want to put right against Sporting KC.
I think you'll have contrasting styles in terms of one team having the ball a lot more than the other but that doesn't necessarily mean that just possession alone wins you the game. I'm looking forward to the game.
