SportingKC.com "Five Things" feature will highlights the top storylines, players to watch, and more for upcoming matches.
Sporting Kansas City caps off a four match home stand on Saturday against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Vancouver heads into the match following a 3-0 loss on Wednesday at Seattle but are still one of the hottest teams in MLS. Tickets are available at SeatGeek.com with live coverage starting at 7:30 pm CT (kickoff at 8 pm) on FOX Sports KC+, FOX Sports GO, Sportsradio 810 WHB, and La Grande 1340 AM. Here's five things to know for #SKCvVAN.
Playoff Berth In Sight
A victory on Saturday combined with favorable results other matches would see the club clinch a spot in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. While Sporting KC's chances of making the playoffs are at 99% right now, clinching a spot this weekend can shift focus to securing home field advantage in the playoffs.
A Fortress
A large part of Sporting KC's success in 2017 is because of their great form at Children's Mercy Park. With a tough road trip next week (Oct. 7 at Minnesota, Oct. 11 at Houston), getting three points is key to keeping pace in the Western Conference. Saturday should be a great test of one of the best home teams (10 wins for Sporting KC) against one of the stronger road teams (five wins for Vancouver) in Major League Soccer.
Player To Watch
Yordi Reyna has been an impact player for Vancouver with three goals and three assists in his last five starts. He's a very dangerous attacking player who has shown a knack for scoring important goals, as evidenced that all five of his this season are of the game-winning variety. In a match where Sporting KC are expected to control most of the possession, Reyna will be a player the Whitecaps will look for on counterattacking opportunities.
Key to the Match
Saturday pits one of the best possessions sides (Sporting KC) against of the best counterattacking sides (Vancouver) in Major League Soccer. Sporting KC will need to avoid losing possession in midfield that can allow Vancouver to strike quickly. The Whitecaps have the fourth most away goals scored in the Western Conference and will be looking for their first ever victory at Children's Mercy Park.
Intriguing Match-ups
As previously mentioned, Vancouver are a team that can strike quickly on the counter. The match-up of Vancouver's Fredy Montero and Yordy Reyna, and Christian Bolanos against Sporting KC's central defense (Matt Besler and Ike Opara) will be one to watch. On the other end, Diego Rubio should expect a physical match against Vancouver central defenders Kendall Waston and Tim Parker.
