As Sporting KC travels to face the San Jose Earthquakes tonight, I caught up with broadcaster Keith Costigan, who will be calling tonight's match on SAP for UniMas Live coverage will be available on 38 The Spot, SKCTV, UniMas, 99.3 FM, and La Grande 1340 AM.
Jonathon Feyerherm: The last time these teams met it was San Jose earning a 5-0 win at Sporting Park. What are your thoughts on that match and how are you expecting Sporting KC to respond in tonight's match?
Keith Costigan: I think looking back at that game, San Jose were at the stage where you thought they were going to be out of the playoff picture. They had just brought in Godoy. It was the first of a tough two-match road trip (at SKC, at D.C. United) and you were kind of saying this was going to be the final nail in the coffin for San Jose. I don't think any Peter Vermes would ever overlook anybody but maybe they weren't prepared for what San Jose brought on that day, which was high energy. I don't think they had many more chances than the five goals they scored, it was one of those days when everything they hit went in. I think San Jose showed what this league is and that's on any given day if you don't show up you can be beaten. San Jose came prepared and they played like their season was on the line. This time around, I think Sporting Kansas City come prepared for any game but losing in that manner at home you're looking for some sort of revenge. I think there will be an added focus and concentration for Sporting KC.
JF: San Jose defender Victor Bernardez will miss the match due to suspension (yellow card accumulation). How do you see this impacting the match and how Sporting KC strikers Dom Dwyer and Krisztian Nemeth can take advantage of this?
KC: Dwyer's a smaller, quick striker but he's also very powerful and uses his body well. Bernardez is such a big part of San Jose back four. He's very physical, vocal, and it's a big loss. It's one that Sporting KC will look to exploit. I think San Jose are a little deeper now than they were at the start of the season. They've had a couple of very good pick-ups but Bernardez is one those players that isn't easy to replace. Sporting KC will probably be on the back foot early with San Jose at home but I think you fancy Dom Dwyer's chances without Bernardez in there to hold the ball up, turning, stretching the field, and proving that outlet up top.
JF: What are you looking forward to seeing from tonight's match?
KC: I like Godoy and the job he's done for San Jose. That match-up with him and Benny Feilhaber trying to find space in front of the San Jose back four will be fun to watch. Both teams are good at what they do because they have two very good and experienced coaches. I think San Jose when they want to be can be very direct and they have pace with Amerikwa and quality finisher in Wondolowski. I think Sporting KC can play direct as well but they have quality finishers in Dwyer and Nemeth and one of the most creative players in MLS in Beny Feilhaber. I think it's going to be a fascinating match-up and maybe the Godoy/Feilhaber match-up may the key to who gets the win.
