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, it's time for our breakdown of the men responsible for protecting the goal. The only injury doubt is RSL's Chris Wingert, but we're assuming he heals in time to participate on Saturday.
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/seth-sinovic" target="_blank">Seth Sinovic</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-besler" target="_blank">Matt Besler</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/aurelien-collin" target="_blank">Aurelien Collin</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chance-myers" target="_blank">Chance Myers</a></strong> |
<strong>DEFENDERS</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/chris-wingert" target="_blank">Chris Wingert</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/nat-borchers" target="_blank">Nat Borchers</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chris-schuler" target="_blank">Chris Schuler</a> - <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/tony-beltran" target="_blank">Tony Beltran</a></strong></div> |
<p class="rtecenter">25</p> |
<strong>AVERAGE AGE</strong> |
29 |
<p class="rtecenter">16 games<br>
(Record: 10-6-0)</p> |
<strong>MATCHES STARTED AS UNIT IN 2013 REG. SEASON</strong> |
1 game<br>
(Record: 1-0-0 ... May 4 win vs. VAN) |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Besler</strong> - Collin may have the personality, but Besler's the brains behind SKC's MLS-best defense</p> |
<strong>UNDISPUTED LEADER</strong> |
<strong>Borchers</strong> - Veteran is the loudest voice back there |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Sinovic</strong> - He gets up and down the left flank like few other outside backs in MLS, plus chips in the occasional goal</p> |
<strong>MOST UNDERRATED PIECE</strong> |
<strong>Beltran</strong> - Right back looks just as fresh in minute 90 as he does at kickoff |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Besler</strong> is currently Jurgen Klinsmann's top choice alongside Omar Gonzalez with Brazil 2014 just months away</p> |
<strong>NATIONAL TEAMERS</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Beltran</strong> got called up to USMNT camp twice this year and some say <strong>Schuler</strong> may follow in 2014</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Besler </strong>won it in 2012 and finished second behind Jose Goncalves after a year split between the USMNT and SKC</p> |
<strong>DEFENDER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS</strong> |
<strong>Borchers</strong> was looked over this season but finished second to teammate Jamison Olave in 2010 and was a finalist in 2011 |
Collin's <strong>aerial ability</strong>: The Frenchman (wins 66 percent aerial duels) is a force, and nearly matches RSL's Schuler (68 percent) |
<strong>BEST ATTRIBUTES</strong> |
<strong>Blocks:</strong> Borchers, Schuler & Co. get their bodies in front of everything |
<strong>Gaps that open up</strong> when Collin pushes forward + his occasional <strong>recklessness</strong> |
<strong>WEAKNESSES</strong> |
RSL need fullbacks to push into attack, but <strong>they can be caught</strong> too far upfield |
Myers and Sinovic have created slightly more chances this year (<strong>48</strong>) than the Wingert-Beltran combo (43) |
<strong>MOST EFFECTIVE ATTACKING FULLBACKS</strong> |
Wingert (<strong>14.67</strong>) and Beltran (<strong>13.96</strong>) average more passes in the final third compared to their SKC counterparts (12.59 and 10.41) |
<strong>Collin</strong> is always tightly marked, but still gets his head to balls (23 shots and 2 goals off set pieces in 2013) |
<strong>ATTACKING SET-PIECE WEAPONS</strong> |
<strong>Borchers</strong> and <strong>Schuler</strong> are both targets, but Schuler is fast earning a reputation as a menace in the box |
Sporting KC allowed an average of <strong>8.3 total crosses</strong> per game |
<strong>FEWEST CROSSES CONCEDED</strong> |
RSL conceded plenty more than SKC, with an average of <strong>14.4 total crosses</strong> |
<p>SKC were best in MLS in this department with league-low <strong>2.94</strong> a game</p> |
<strong>FEWEST SHOTS ON GOAL ALLOWED</strong> |
RSL were seventh-best in MLS (<strong>4.5 per game</strong>), but they had SKC-like numbers during playoffs (<strong>2.25 shots</strong> on target per game) |
<p><strong>Collin</strong> is the most well-traveled player of any team, spending time in Scotland, Greece and Portugal before MLS (2007-11)</p> |
<strong>OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE</strong> |
<strong>Borchers</strong> ventured into Scandinavia with Odd Grenland in Norway, then returned stateside with RSL |
<strong>6 feet:</strong> Collin is the tallest of the KC bunch at 6-foot-2 |
<strong>AVERAGE HEIGHT</strong> |
<strong>6 feet:</strong> Beltran's 5-foot-8 brings down the average despite two tall center backs (6-2 Borchers, 6-4 Schuler) |
<p><strong>Myers</strong> was a No. 1 pick by KC in 2008, while local boy <strong>Besler </strong>was taken No. 8 overall the following year</p> |
<strong>DRAFT PRODUCTS</strong> |
The back four features two original RSL draftees in <strong>Beltran</strong> (third overall in 2008) and <strong>Schuler</strong> (39th overall in 2010) |
Aerial monster <strong>Ike Opara</strong> will be the first name called, but <strong>Mechack Jerome </strong>and <strong>Josh Gardner </strong>can come in at fullback |
<strong>OFF THE BENCH</strong> |
RSL simply have more established options in <strong>Carlos Salcedo</strong>, <strong>Brandon McDonald</strong>, <strong>Kwame Watson-Siriboe</strong>, <strong>Aaron Maund</strong>, <strong>Abdoulie Mansally</strong> and <strong>Lovel Palmer</strong> |
