Five Things is a weekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights the top storylines, players to watch and matchday programming ahead of each game throughout the season.
Two high-flying MLS clubs will write the newest chapter of their storied rivalry this Sunday when top-seeded Sporting Kansas City visits No. 6 seed Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT with live coverage on FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports GO, ESPN 94.5 FM and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM.
Coming off a record-breaking regular season under MLS Coach of the Year finalist Peter Vermes, Sporting KC learned their conference semifinal opponent Thursday night when Real Salt Lake shocked No. 3 seed LAFC by a 3-2 scoreline in a Knockout Round thriller. Both sides will enter the weekend high on confidence, but only one will emerge victorious over two legs. The decisive second leg will take place next Sunday, Nov. 11, at Children’s Mercy Park (tickets).
With plot lines running thick and stakes running high, here are the top five things you need to know about the first leg of the conference semifinals.
Sporting KC might be peaking at just the right time. Vermes’ side has rattled off three straight victories to close out the regular season, including wins over fellow playoff teams FC Dallas and LAFC, to claim first place in the Western Conference and a bye to the conference semifinals. The 2018 iteration of Sporting KC has been an absolute delight to watch, setting club single-season records for goals, away goals, goal differential, assists, shots and a slew of other offensive metrics.
As detailed in SportingKC.com’s playoff preview, Vermes has an experienced goalkeeper in Tim Melia; a battle-tested backline anchored by captain Matt Besler and right back revelation Graham Zusi; an industrious midfield with Ilie Sanchez and Roger Espinoza enjoying career years; and a deep, balanced and productive attacking corps. Sporting KC are 9-2-2 since the start of August, and their current form is as good as its been all year.
2. Money in the Banc
Very few would have put money on Real Salt Lake going into Banc of California Stadium and defeating LAFC in Thursday’s single-elimination Knockout Round clash. LAFC had lost just once at home all season, a 2-0 setback to Sporting KC on Aug. 11, while RSL were 3-11-3 on the road. Many considered RSL lucky to be in the playoffs in the first place, as they needed a stunning Decision Day meltdown from the LA Galaxy to punch their postseason ticket.
With the odds stacked against them, head coach Mike Petke’s side delivered with their first playoff victory since 2013. Damir Kreilach fired the visitors ahead early, and although LAFC responded with two unanswered goals, Kreliach’s breathtaking volley in the second half leveled the score at 2-2. A fortuitous own goal restored RSL’s lead in the 69th minute, and despite getting outshot 21-4, Petke’s men held through the final whistle.
3. The Rematch
You can’t preview a playoff match between Sporting KC and Real Salt Lake and not bring up the 2013 MLS Cup at Children’s Mercy Park. Played amidst arctic temperatures on a clear December afternoon, RSL landed the first punch in the 52nd minute on a goal from Alvaro Saborio. The hosts responded when Graham Zusi’s 76th-minute corner kick was nodded home by Aurelien Collin, who would go on to bury the clinching penalty in the 10th round of arguably the greatest shootout in MLS history. To this day, the game is revered as Sporting KC’s best moment of all-time.
Needless to say, both teams have changed a lot since then. Zusi, Matt Besler, Ike Opara and Seth Sinovic remain on Sporting KC’s roster, while Kyle Beckerman, Tony Beltran, Joao Plata and Nick Rimando have stayed with RSL. But the rivalry between the teams has stayed hot, in large part because of the events that unfolded on Dec. 7, 2013, in Kansas City, Kansas.
4. Feeling Salty
Sporting KC may be the top seed in this matchup, but their recent results against Real Salt Lake haven’t exactly been great. Vermes’ side is 1-6-5 against RSL in the regular season dating back to 2014, including an 0-5-2 mark at Rio Tinto Stadium.
But it’s not all doom and gloom when looking at recent results between the sides. Sporting KC has already won this season at Rio Tinto Stadium, posting a 2-0 victory in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fourth round. Johnny Russell notched a goal and an assist to propel the visitors and axe RSL from the tournament. Russell, for what it’s worth, has a goal and three assists in three appearances against RSL this year. Opara has tasted similar success in the series, scoring in each of his last three regular season appearances versus the club.
5. Party at the Pub
With Sporting KC kicking off their postseason campaign this Sunday, No Other Pub is raising the bar with a can't-miss celebration in the Kansas City Power & Light District. Watch party programming will begin Sunday at 8 p.m. CT, an hour before kick off on the venue's 150-square-foot cinema screen. No Other Pub will offer an all-you-can eat buffet with burgers, wings, cheese curds and more, while Till Vodka will headline a long list of drink specials with $6 Till Vodka cocktails available from 8 p.m. until the end of the match.
Sunday's watch party will feature hype videos from Sporting KC and approximately 30 minutes of pregame coverage on FS1. Till Vodka will also administer numerous giveaways for exclusive Sporting KC merchandise, host an interactive gaming area and give out free drink samples over the course of a momentous night in the Power & Light District's premier restaurant and entertainment venue.
