Sporting Kansas City will conclude their three-game road trip Friday night when they take on Chivas USA at StubHub Center. The match will be televised nationally on 38 the Spot and across the Midwest on SKCTV with pregame coverage starting at 9 p.m. CT. Friday's match can also be heard locally on La Gran D 1340.
Here are five things you should know ahead of tonight's match vs. Chivas USA.
1. Getting back to winning ways
Friday's match features two teams that have struggled in recent weeks. Sporting KC carries a four-game losing streak into the match, their longest since a five-game losing streak in April/May 2011. Chivas USA has also lost four matches in a row, but is winless in nine. Their last win was a 3-1 victory on the road over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 12.
Despite the current losing streak, Sporting KC currently sits five points back of D.C. United in the Eastern Conference standings. Each team has six regular season games remaining. United is off this weekend following Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.
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2. Home struggles vs. Road warriors
Chivas USA has one of the worst home records in Major League Soccer in 2014; Sporting KC has one of the best. The Goats have earned only 11 points at home with a -15 goal differential. Sporting KC have earned 21 road points (second most behind Seattle) with a 0 goal differential away from Sporting Park.
3. Records were meant to be broken
Dom Dwyer has a chance to make history Friday night. His 18 goals are tied with Preki atop the club's single-season scoring chart. Preki's record has stood since 1996, the inaugural season in Major League Soccer. Friday will be Dwyer's first match against Chivas USA. Sporting KC is 7-4-2 when Dwyer scores and 4-0-1 when he scores two or more.
For the home side, Chivas USA will be without their prolific goalscorer Erick Torres. The Mexican international is serving a two-game suspension for a tackle against LA Galaxy's Baggio Husidic on August 31.
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4. Veteran goalkeepers take center stage
Let's start with Sporting Kansas City. After missing four-and-a-half MLS games with a rotator cuff injury, veteran goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum has featured in the last two matches for Sporting KC. Gruenebaum is one of three goalkeepers to feature for Sporting KC in 2014. The situation is about to get a bit more complicated for Sporting KC, however, as KC Star's Sam McDowell reported that Eric Kronberg, who started the year as Sporting KC's No. 1 goalkeeper, returned to full training this week after breaking his hand in early July.
For the home side, Dan Kennedy has been one of the lone bright spots for Chivas USA over the past few years. The 32-year-old goalkeeper is in his seventh year with the club and his fourth as the starter. Kennedy has recorded 100+ saves in the past three years and his 390 saves since the beginning of 2011 are second only to San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch.
5. Broadcast / Watch Party info
Tonight's match will kick off at StubHub Center at 9:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on KMCI's 38 The Spot and on SKCTV across the Midwest. Fans can listen to the match on La Gran D 1340 AM (Spanish). Postgame coverage will be available on Sports Radio 810 WHB's The Final Whistle with hosts Jonathan Kaplan and Dave Borchardt.
The club's official watch parties will be held at Johnny's Tavern locations in the KC Power & Light District (1310 Grand Boulevard) and Prairie Village (8262 Mission Road). Fans are encouraged to show their support and enjoy select Boulevard draft specials as well as the "Blue Believer" signature cocktail (Drago Berry, Lemon-Lime Red Bull and Blue Curacao).
For full coverage of the match, visit SportingKC.com/Gameon.
