Sporting Kansas City head into Saturday in a must-win scenario if they have any hopes of keeping their playoff dreams alive this season in the Major League Soccer Western Conference.
The squad will welcome Minnesota United, who currently occupy one of the top seven places, but they are also coming off the back of a four-match run without a win.
Match preview
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With just three games remaining and a nine-point gap between them and the top seven, Sporting Kansas City must win all of their remaining games, and hope that other results fall kindly for them, to book a last-ditch place in the playoffs.
That journey begins this weekend when they host Minnesota, and the Wizards head into that match on the back of an impressive five-game undefeated run.
During that period the squad has picked up two draws and a trio of victories, with the latest taking place in their most recent outing against DC United.
Peter Vermes witnessed his men dominate the match from start to finish with goals from Khiry Shelton, Robert Voloder and Daniel Salloi rounding out a perfect performance.
It also marked consecutive clean sheets for Sporting Kansas City, and their strong defensive performances could be crucial heading towards the end of the campaign.
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Only four teams in the Western Conference have scored more goals than Minnesota United this season, which could put the back line of the hosts to a real test this weekend.
However, the Loons need to bring an improved performance to this match following four games on the bounce without a victory in the league.
Right now they only have a five-point cushion over LA Galaxy, who sit just outside of the playoff positions, and considering the fact that LA Galaxy have a game in hand, picking up points is of crucial importance this weekend.
Adrian Heath saw his team held to a 1-1 draw against Los Angeles FC in their most recent match, despite the fact that Brent Kallman had given them the lead.
Minnesota will also be wary of the fact that they also split the points when they last faced Sporting Kansas City after they conceded a 63rd-minute equaliser.
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Team News
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Sporting Kansas City have been missing Gadi Kinda and Alan Pulido recently as both men are dealing with knee issues, but that is not something that has unsettled the squad at all.
Considering their recent performances, and the fact they head into this match on the back of a dominant 3-0 win, it could be an unchanged starting XI that appears this weekend for the Wizards.
The hosts are not the only team that are dealing with injury issues as Bongokuhle Hlongwane is also missing for the visitors.
Despite that, there could be a return in this match with Franco Fragapane no longer being suspended, while Minnesota were boosted by the return of their top goalscorer Emanuel Reynoso in their most recent match.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
McIntosh; Pierre, Fontas, Voloder, Sweat; Duke, Walter, Espinoza; Tzionis, Salloi, Shelton
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Clair; Taylor, Boxall, Kallman, Lawrence; Arriaga, Trapp; Lod, Garcia, Reynoso; Amarilla
We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-0 Minnesota United
Minnesota United might be considered the favourites heading into this match purely because of their league positioning, but the fact remains that the hosts are in much stronger form.
Sporting Kansas City have been picking up consistent results as of late, which is the complete opposite of the visitors, and that momentum could see them through here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
