In what is one the biggest fixtures of the MLS in recent times this season, as two massive clubs fight for their own destiny in the Western Conference as Los Angeles FC welcome Sporting Kansas City to the Banc of California Stadium on Friday night with the rest of the division firmly watching.
The Wizards are currently two points behind the sensational league leaders Seattle Sounders for top spot in the Western Conference, just as LAFC sit way further back with three points separating them and Real Salt Lake for a place in the playoffs.
A good training sesh has a 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 to it 🔉#SportingKC | @DrinkBODYARMOR pic.twitter.com/yCoaN4SKHS— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) September 2, 2021
A good training sesh has a 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 to it 🔉#SportingKC | @DrinkBODYARMOR pic.twitter.com/yCoaN4SKHS
Last weekend was another opportunity for the Kansas outfit to head back to the summit of the division but as has happened far too often for them in recent times, they once again failed to capitalize.
In the last fixture, it was a goal in the 17th minute from Jonathan Lewis that seemingly woke the sleepy heads of the Kansas side, as they managed to put forth shots on target while only conceding one, and Johnny Russell would snatch a point for them.
Long-standing head coach Peter Vermes has now seen his side play out three consecutive draws and in reality, form as such has shown their inferior nature to the Sounders this season, so beating LAFC away from home would be a serious statement for them.
Vermes’ men are the highest scorers out in the Western Conference, however, and within each game, they create plenty of opportunities despite the three draws.
Ultimately, their undoing in recent fixtures has been the lack of a clinical nature, with just two goals coming from 18 efforts on goal in the past three games.
More worrying for Kansas, however, will be how they cannot call upon Daniel Salloi, who is their top goalscorer with 12 goals across the board so far - he is unavailable this week due to the World Cup 2022 qualifying schedule.
Now, Vermes simply needs his other players to wake up and start hitting the back of the net, before their two-point gap on top spot widens.
As for LAFC, they have had a torrid season by their standards as ever since their inaugural season back in 2018, the club have eased into the playoffs most years and they have rather targeted triumphing in the Western Conference table, rather than hoping for an end-of-season playoff spot.
Much of this has come down to superstar players not pulling their weight, but ultimately, they just haven’t been good enough and Forebet predicts a game of over 2.5 games and a win for Sporting Kansas this time around.