The mid-week round of fixtures in Major League Soccer concludes with the meeting between Sporting Kansas City and Philadelphia Union at Children's Mercy Park.
Sporting Kansas City started this week top of the Western Conference but FC Dallas’ win over DC United has seen them drop to second place and its FC Dallas who are now top on goal difference. Therefore, a win or a draw in this game would be good enough for Sporting Kansas City to return to the top of the Western Conference.
Philadelphia Union currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference but with three games in hand on sixth place Columbus Crew, still have hopes of making it into the playoff places. However, Philadelphia Union are closer to the bottom of the table than sixth place and need the win to keep themselves clear of DC United and New England Revolution.
Trends show Sporting Kansas City are undefeated in their last seven matches in all competitions. There have been three wins in the MLS, two wins in the US Open Cup and three draws in the MLS. The three draws have come in the last four MLS games.
At home, Sporting Kansas City are very tough to beat and trends show they are undefeated in their last eighteen home matches in the MLS. This season, they have won six and drawn three of their nine home games in the league but their last two home fixtures have seen them held 1-1 by Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers.
Scoring goals has not been much of a problem for Sporting Kansas City and they have found the back of the net at least once in each of their last eight home games.
Having been knocked out of the US Open Cup by New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union provided the perfect response last week by defeating New England Revolution 3-0 at home. That was Philadelphia Union’s second win in a row, having previously defeated DC United 1-0, also at home.
The problems for Philadelphia Union have come away from home and they have won just one of their previous twelve away games, a run which stretches back into last season. Looking back further and playing away from home is clearly a problem area for Philadelphia Union, who have won four of their last twenty-eight away MLS matches.
In three of their last six away MLS games, Philadelphia Union have failed to score a goal.
Looking at the team news and Sporting Kansas City are without Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and Dom Dwyer who are all on international duty with the United States. Gerson is struggling with an injury so Daniel Salloi could start the game.
Philadelphia Union are without Alejandro Bedoya and Andre Blake who are on international duty with United States and Jamaica respectively. Maurice Edu is out with a stress fracture and there are doubts over Warren Creavalle, Fabian Herbers and Jack Elliott.
With key players missing, Sporting Kansas City will not be at their best for this match, which presents an opportunity to Philadelphia Union. However, they struggle to win games away from home and the 1-1 draw looks like being the best they could achieve.