Match Preview: Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union

Photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett

Who: Sporting Kansas City vs Philadelphia Union

What: MLS Matchday 27

Where: Sporting Park, Kansas City, Kansas

When: Saturday, September 19, 8:30 PM EST

Watch: AppleTV

Whistle: Ref: Katja Koroleva

The Union will look to continue their impressive form away to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. The Union come into the match unbeaten in their last ten MLS games since the World Cup break, with a record over that time of 8W-0L-2T. After a terrible start to the season, they have played themselves into playoff contention–now 7th in the East on 33 points. Their 5-0 dismantling of San Diego FC on Match Day 26 was one of the Union’s most complete performances. One they will look to build on in Kansas City. There are only nine match days left, and each game will be crucial.

By contrast, Sporting KC is just 2W-7L-1T over the same period, last in the West on 18 points.

Scouting Report: Sporting Kansas City (4-4-2)

While stuck at the bottom of the league table, Sporting KC come out against the Union after a shocking 3-1 win over LAFC, ending a seven-match skid via goals from Sporting’s club-record signing, André Luiz, from Taylor Calheira, and Jacob Bartlett. Sporting Goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland made six saves. It was the kind of performance that Sporting KC will want to build on.

Sporting Kansas City head coach Raphael Wicky sets up his side in a 4-4-2, employing a “rest defense” when the ball turns over in their attacking third. When deployed effectively it quickly closes down close down opponents’ chances. It remains to be seen if it will work against the Union’s strikers and attacking midfielders. Defender Or Blorian will miss the rest of the season after surgery, and Sporting will look to shore up their league trailing 59 goals-against defense.

Despite their poor showing in the standings, there are goals in this side, as LAFC found out. André Luiz has netted his first, and he will be eager for more. The striker pairing of Calheira and Afrifa could be a handful, while the interplay and movement of attacking midfielders Harris and Luiz could also cause problems.

Injury Report: Or Blorian (Chest); Midfielder Jake Davis (Knee); Midfielder Owen Wolff (Ankle)

Disciplinary Report: N/A

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union (4-4-2)

The Union continue to rely on the energy, skill and guile of the young players. Cavan Sullivan’s (16 years old) performance against San Diego FC earned him MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 26 ; Neil Pierre (18) continues to impress with his calm, skill and maturity, and Frankie Westfield (21) is a strong threat on both sides of the ball. All three players have earned a USMNT call up.

Malik Jakupovic (17) netted his first MLS goal last game. Iloski and Damiani are also scoring. The pairing of Danley Jean Jaques and Jovan Lukić has snuffed out most opposition transitions, and the platooning of Quinn Sullivan and Indiana Vassilev has caused a great many problems for opposing defenses.

The Union’s high press may outmaneuver Sporting’s rest defense by pulling them out of position. The Union has relied on strong wide play on the wings and intricate passing through midfield in the attacking third. Sporting’s defense, as noted above, is leaky.

Injury Report: Isaiah LeFlore (knee)

Disciplinary Report: Milan Iloski and Japhet Sery Larsen are both one caution away from suspension/fine based on yellow card accumulation.

Matchup to Watch: André Luiz vs. Kai Wagner

Luiz will look to stretch the Union when they are in defense and to limit Wagner’s service on offense. If Wagner can limit his space and prevent him from getting into dangerous areas around the box, they can shut down one of Kansas City’s biggest attacking threats.