Sporting KC will square off against Eastern Conference foe Toronto FC Saturday night at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The match will kick off at 6 p.m. CT on 38 the Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV with pregame coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. CT. Saturday's match can also be heard locally on Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Gran D 1340.
Here are five things you should know ahead of tonight's match vs. Toronto.
1. SKC streaking
Sporting KC set a club record on July 16 vs. the Columbus Crew when they won their fourth consecutive road match. They can extend that streak Saturday vs. Toronto FC. Sporting KC has been one of the strongest road teams in MLS in recent years, winning 22 MLS games away from Sporting Park, since the beginning of 2012.
Recently, Sporting KC has been tough to play both home and away. Peter Vermes' club takes a six-game unbeaten streak into tonight's match with five wins in their last six matches. In that time, Sporting KC has outscored opponents 9-4 with two shutouts. A seven-game unbeaten streak would be their longest since the club's 12-game unbeaten streak to end the 2012 regular season.
2. A reunion of USMNT teammates
Saturday's match will feature three players who have played major roles for the U.S. Men's National Team over the past 12 months. Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley has been a rock for Jurgen Klinsmann's side, consistently proving why he is one of the elite box-to-box midfielders in the world. Sporting KC's Matt Besler and Graham Zusi have stood out in their own right, appearing in all four matches for the USMNT at the World Cup and quickly becoming mainstays in Klinsmann's lineup.
Bradley has not yet played against Sporting KC since joining MLS in January. All three players missed the previous meeting between the two sides due to the pre-World Cup training camp in May.
3. Replacing Defoe
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defore has wasted no time becoming one of the elite strikers in MLS. The World Cup veteran, who has won more than 50 caps for England, has 11 goals in 14 games including three multi-goal performances. Unfortunately for Toronto fans, Defoe is suspended for Saturday's match due to yellow card accumulation. Ryan Nelson will need other players to step up if Toronto has aspirations of snapping Sporting KC's current unbeaten streak. Fellow English striker Luke Moore is second on the club with three goals scored, while recent addition Dominic Oduro and Designated Player Gilberto have two apiece.
4. Dwyer's mini-slump
Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer has been one of Major League Soccer's breakout players in 2014. The British striker has 14 goals in 20 games, one fewer than the rest of Sporting KC's team combined. Dwyer has not gone three straight games without a goal in 2014, yet currently sits on a two-game scoreless drought. Can the MLS All-Star snub break out of his mini drought Saturday vs. Toronto FC and help Sporting KC to three points against a conference foe?
5. Johnny's Tavern Watch Party
Fans are encouraged to join the club’s official watch party tonight at Johnny’s Tavern in Power and Light District and in Overland Park (6765 W. 119th Street). Select Boulevard draft specials will be available, as well as the “Blue Believer” signature cocktail.
For full coverage of the match, visit SportingKC.com/Gameon.
