Sporting Kansas City vs. Deportivo Saprissa
2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League
September 18 | 8 pm ET | Sporting Park
TV: Fox Sports 1, Univision Deportes
Sporting Kansas City are looking for their first win of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League when Costa Rican powerhouse Saprissa comes to town on Thursday evening.
Sporting drew 1-1 in their group opener at the third team in Group 2, Real Esteli, matching Saprissa's result there. Saprissa also picked up a win against the Nicaraguan side at home, but a win for KC on Thursday night would bring them even with the Costa Ricans with one game in hand.
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KRONBERG’S RETURN: Sporting’s recent defensive slip (more on that later) started while their two top-choice goalkeepers, Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum were out dealing with injuries, leaving the green Jon Kempin to mind the nets. Gruenebaum has since returned for the last three games, though it hasn't necessarily stemmed the tide, and it appears as though Kronberg will get his chance against Saprissa. With questions still lingering on the defensive end of the field, a good showing Thursday could give him a leg up in the continued battle for the No. 1 shirt.
REST OR RUST: Whereas the MLS schedule ramps up at this time of year, the Costa Rican league has lessened the burden on Costa Rica’s top teams in view of the Copa Centroamericana and the Champions League. Saprissa have not played a game in over two weeks, since Aug. 31, and one of the big questions for the evening will be whether they benefit from the rest or come out flat after 17 days off. On the other hand, Sporting have demonstrated themselves to be one of the best teams in MLS at handling fixture congestion, thanks to their exceptional fitness levels and a generally sound rotation policy from head coach Peter Vermes.
A SPORTING CHANCE: It’s no secret that Sporting have been far from their defensive best in recent weeks. They achieved their first shutout since June 28 last weekend, but it was against a historically bad Chivas USA offense. Prior to that game, they had conceded 11 goals in four consecutive losses.
Another potentially worrying trend for Peter Vermes’ side is the fact they were unable to win either of their home games last year in the group stage against inferior opposition, while their 5-3-6 record at Sporting Park in 2014 is not exactly stellar. A year ago, they covered by impressively winning both away games, but that’s already off the table this time around. Teams change week-to-week and year-to-year, but considering those two trends, Saprissa may be fancying their chances of at least snagging a point on Thursday night.
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PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Dom Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City: The defensive aspect has been expounded upon enough already, and a strong performance from Dwyer could render the discussion completely moot. Fresh off breaking Sporting KC’s single-season goal record, the English forward is feeling fresh and confident and has shown he’s a handful for any defense he comes up against.
Ariel Rodriguez, Saprissa: Rodriguez, a 24-year-old forward, has been in excellent form to start the season, and has scored all four of Saprissa's goals so far in the CCL, plus another in one of his two appearances in the domestic league so far. A fringe player on the Costa Rican national team (he won the Copa Centroamericana with the Ticos in 2013), he boasts a high work rate and smart movement, and Sporting's defense will need to keep a close eye on him.
