Ahead of MLS Cup 2013 on Dec. 7, MLSsoccer.com takes a closer look at just how Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake match up as they head into the title match.
After our look at goalkeepers, the respective backlines and the dueling midfields, it's time for our breakdown of the men responsible for breaching the goal. The only injury doubt is RSL's Álvaro Saborío, but it appears he'll heal in time after returning to training this week.To keep things even, we compared the starting trio in Kansas City with RSL's three-man forward pool.
Tell us which team you think has the edge up front in the comments section below.
<img alt="" height="100" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/sportingkc_logo.png" width="90"><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dominic-dwyer" target="_blank">Dom Dwyer</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/cj-sapong" target="_blank">C.J. Sapong</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/graham-zusi" target="_blank">Graham Zusi</a></strong> |
<strong>FORWARDS</strong> |
<div class="compHdr"><img alt="" height="100" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/saltlake_150.png" width="100"><strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/alvaro-saborio" target="_blank">Álvaro Saborío</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-findley" target="_blank">Robbie Findley</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/devon-sandoval" target="_blank">Devon Sandoval</a></strong></div> |
<p class="rtecenter">24.7</p> |
<strong>AVERAGE AGE</strong> |
27 |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Zusi</strong> - Though he roams throughout the forward line and midfield, the ball goes through Zeus</p> |
<strong>UNDISPUTED LEADER</strong> |
<strong>Saborío</strong> - Costa Rican DP has been the undisputed focal point of the attack for years, and appears healthy for this round |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Dwyer</strong> - After scoring a brilliant game-winner vs. Houston, it's easy to see how he scored a boatload of goals in Orlando</p> |
<strong>MOST UNDERRATED PIECE</strong> |
<strong>Sandoval</strong> - Many think he should start even if Saborío is healthy, which would have been unthinkable a few months ago |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Zusi</strong> is mired in a battle for a starting spot on the USMNT's right flank, the same place he'll likely play Saturday</p> |
<strong>NATIONAL TEAMERS</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Saborío</strong> has long been an integral member of the Costa Rica squad, which is headed to Brazil after finishing second in the Hex</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Zusi </strong>wasdefinitely in the MVP conversation last season after leading MLS in assists, but Sporting did it by committee this year</p> |
<strong>AWARD NOMINATIONS</strong> |
<strong>Saborío</strong> was FutbolMLS.com's Latino del Año in 2013 after scoring 12 goals in 15 starts |
The reason Dwyer is in there is to help provide the seemingly <strong>indefatigable pressure</strong> that allows Sporting to counter at pace and keep the back locked down |
<strong>BEST ATTRIBUTES</strong> |
<strong>Interplay:</strong> Whether it's Sandoval or Saborío up top with Findley, RSL's front line seems to understand how to open space, lose defenders and give Javier Morales a chance to find them |
As has been the case for the past few seasons, <strong>there is no regular goalscorer</strong> and <strong>finishing is sometimes suspect</strong> |
<strong>WEAKNESSES</strong> |
Saborío is a deadly finisher and lethal in the air, while Sandoval's runs and combination play provide value ... but <strong>only one can play at a time</strong> |
Zusi <strong>(6)</strong> isn't a true goalscorer, plus a disappointing junior campaign from Sapong <strong>(4)</strong> and time split between Orlando and KC for Dwyer <strong>(2)</strong> gives RSL the clear edge |
<strong>GOALSCORING</strong> |
Saborío <strong>(12)</strong> was as efficient as ever despite missing half the regular season, while Findley <strong>(6)</strong> and Sandoval <strong>(3)</strong> chipped in ably |
RSL got the edge when it came to scoring the goals, but SKC's trio (led by Zusi) blew them away in assists with <strong>12</strong> |
<strong>SET-UP PLAY</strong> |
<strong>Findley and Saborío each had two helpers</strong> during the regular season, but that makes sense based on the midfield behind them |
Sporting KC's trio took 89 shots and found goal with <strong>44 percent</strong> |
<strong>SHOOTING ACCURACY</strong> |
RSL's total shots were almost identical to their opponents (88), but <strong>they found goal 51 percent of the time</strong> |
Remember we said finishing was an issue? The above trio <strong>scored on just 14 percent of their shots</strong> |
<strong>SHOT CONVERSION</strong> |
RSL, meanwhile, were a full 10 percent better in front of net, <strong>scoring on 24 percent of shots</strong> |
<p>Both teams know what to do with it in the final third, with Sporting logging a <strong>64-percent pass completion rate</strong></p> |
<strong>POSSESSION PLAY</strong> |
Unlike total shots, the teams were actually identical here: <strong>64-percent pass completion in the final third </strong>for RSL, too |
<p>All three were SKC draft picks, with <strong>Sapong</strong> (No. 10 in 2011) and <strong>Dwyer</strong> (No. 16 in 2012) taken in the first round in back-to-back years and <strong>Zusi</strong> costing a second-rounder in 2009</p> |
<strong>DRAFT PRODUCTS</strong> |
Only <strong>Sandoval</strong> came to Real Salt Lake via the draft, with the burly forward drafted 29th overall in the 2013 second round |
There are still many who wonder why DP <strong>Claudio Bieler</strong> is coming off the bench, while <strong>Soony Saad</strong>, <strong>Jacob Peterson</strong> and <strong>Teal Bunbury</strong> give Peter Vermes plenty of variety |
<strong>OFF THE BENCH</strong> |
One of <strong>Sandoval</strong> or <strong>Saborío</strong> will start on the bench and they'll be joined by young (but explosive) options in <strong>Joao Plata</strong> and <strong>Olmes García</strong> |
