Sporting Kansas City will play host to New England Revolution at Children’s Mercy Park in Major League Soccer, with both sides eager to reverse recent setbacks.
While the hosts compete in the Western Conference and the visitors operate out of the East, both teams arrive at this inter-conference clash having experienced mixed fortunes this term.
Match preview
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Sporting Kansas City endured a disappointing 2024 campaign, finishing 13th in the Western Conference and 27th overall, and there has been little sign of improvement so far this season.
With only three wins from 14 matches, they currently occupy 13th place once again in the Western Conference, having accumulated just 12 points.
A dismal start to the season saw the Wizards lose five of their opening six matches, with one draw completing that sequence, and the poor form ultimately led to the departure of long-serving manager Peter Vermes, with assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin stepping in as interim boss.
Zavagnin initially made a positive impact, claiming a 2-0 victory over St. Louis in his first match in charge and winning three of his opening five games at the helm, but the bounce appears to have worn off, as Sporting are now winless in three consecutive matches, losing one and drawing two, including a goalless stalemate against San Diego last time out.
The upcoming fixture against New England will be seen as a challenging one for the hosts, who have failed to beat the Revs in any of their last four meetings, losing three and drawing the other.
Moreover, Sporting have struggled defensively throughout the season, conceding 24 goals, the second-worst record in their conference and the third-joint worst across both.
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Meanwhile, New England Revolution are coming into this fixture following a 3-1 defeat to Chicago Fire in the US Open Cup round of 16 on Wednesday, and that result made it three games without a win in all competitions, though it should be noted that they remain unbeaten in their last six MLS matches.
Caleb Porter‘s men played out a goalless draw with San Jose in their most recent league outing, extending their unbeaten run in the league, which now includes four wins and two draws.
With 18 points from 12 matches, the Revs currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference but have games in hand on most of their rivals.
A major positive for New England in recent weeks has been their form away from home, and they are unbeaten in their last five away matches in all competitions, winning four and drawing one, a run that includes league and cup fixtures.
The Revs have been particularly resilient defensively on the road, keeping three clean sheets during this unbeaten stretch.
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Team News
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Sporting have only one player sidelined with injury, with Nemanja Radoja nursing a quad issue.
Santiago Munoz is yet to open his account this season, but he will lead the line again, while Shapi Suleymanov and Erik Thommy will complete the front three.
New England have more players out injured, with Malcolm Fry (leg) and Luca Langoni (quad) confirmed to be sidelined.
Tomas Chancalay (groin), Will Sands (ankle) and Maxi Urruti (leg) are questionable and could miss the game.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Pulskamp; Leibold, Voloder, Miller, Shelton; Bassong, Bartlett, Garcia; Thommy, Munoz, Suleymanov
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Beason, Ceballos, Fofana; Feingold, Polster, Yusuf, Muller; Gil; Campana, Ganago
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-2 New England Revolution
Sporting have shown brief signs of improvement under Zavagnin, but their defensive frailties remain a major concern, but with New England unbeaten in six MLS matches and solid away from home, the visitors look better placed to take something from this encounter.
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